Finding a job becomes increasingly more complex as technology progresses. Gone are the good ole days of walking into a business, completing an application, and answering a few interview questions. For the over-50 crowd, applying for a job can cause tremendous anxiety. Learn tips on conducting a successful job search while easing the stress caused by the process.
After years of struggling with low pay and long hours, John resigned from his position as a community newspaper editor when he marked 25 years of faithful service to his readers. After a much-needed vacation, he set out to find a new job in a drastically changed job market. Boy, was he stressed! Fortunately, a seasoned career counselor successfully guided him to achieve his goal of being happily employed.
Craft an Impressive Resume
Starting with a thorough investigation of top US jobs in high demand, John prepares a list of jobs that interest him. After researching the latest trends in writing a resume. he quiets his stress with a few slow, deep breaths before creating his first draft. Careful to pack his career history with action verbs and results-oriented accomplishments, John double-checks his writing with Grammarly, a tool to review grammar. Soon, his resume can pass the 30-second test, in which prospective employers could glean essential information.
Time for a cigarette. As John soothes his nerves with a few drags, he reminds himself that he better quit his unhealthy habit because corporate execs often view smoking as a financial burden due to increased insurance premiums and lost work due to illness. After a brief consideration, he places this dreaded task on next week’s job search to-do list.
Enhance Online Presence
Onto the next project–creating a LinkedIn profile to enhance visibility to employers. Having navigated this chore quickly, John questions if he should develop a website showcasing his best writing over the years. After surfing inexpensive website platforms (WordPress.com, sites.google.com), he quickly relegates this idea to next week’s to-do list. However, he places this activity at the top of his list because an online presence is critical for a successful job search.
Apply for Desired Jobs
Armed with a resume and profile, John culls through his favorite online job-search engines and AI job-search tools, looking for jobs that match his qualifications. He soon clicks on a job notice to apply for the position and write a cover letter. Nearing completion of a lengthy application with a personality test, he loses his internet connection, losing a least an hour of work. A large bag of potato chips and a small pack of peanut M&M’s eases his frustration. While chomping down his goodies, he realizes he better drop a few pounds before the interview.
After re-doing his application, he quits for the day to enjoy a refreshing cocktail with his wife. Instead of chugging it down, he mindfully relishes his drink by engaging all five senses. As he views lovely backyard trees and listens to chirping birds, he pets his beloved cat, Penelope, while relishing the scent of freshly mowed grass and savoring the flavor of his beverage. After a relaxing mini-vacation, he affirms that he will refrain from drinking alcohol on weekdays to stay clear-headed to continue his successful job search.
Prepare for the All-Important Interview
Within a few days, John receives an email requesting a phone interview for a promising job. He practices answering common interview questions with his wife in a mock interview. She records his responses on his smartphone to provide immediate feedback to improve his interview performance. These successful job search efforts pay off; he clears the initial phone interview to land an in-person interview.
To prepare for this interview, John researches the employer’s website and anonymously visits the worksite to glean a sense of appropriate work attire. He assembles a mini portfolio in a glossy, black folder containing his resume, recommendation letters, certifications, and work samples (PDF files work well for virtual interviews). Then he prepares several thoughtful questions to pose to the interviewer on a padfolio (leather-bound notepad) using an elegant fountain pen which will be brought to the interview.
Impress the Hiring Agent
On the morning of the big day, his wife prepares his favorite breakfast of cheesy scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, whole-grain toast, and coffee. John feasts happily as his wife assures him that he will do great.
Before shaving and showering, he carefully lays out his black wool slacks selected for his interview on his bed. Big mistake! His beloved kitty takes a short cat nap on those comfortable pants, leaving them full of white cat hair. Too stressed to make a fuss, he grumbles while scraping the hair with a lint brush.
After inhaling a whiff of lavender essential oil, he breathes slowly and deeply for one minute. Finally, he reminds himself that the purpose of a job interview, the pinnacle of the job search, is to select the candidate who best fits the job, not to judge the candidate’s worth as a person.
Savor the Results of the Successful Job Search
Upon returning home from the interview, John reports what happened to his wife. Although nervous, he managed to navigate the interview questions well and even remembered to ask some good questions about the position. The interviewer told him the job candidates would hear either way by the end of the week. His wife reminds him that he has prepared well and will eventually land his desired job.
After a brisk walk, John hops on his computer to write a brief thank-you letter to the interviewer. Remembering to write the letter on a Word document to attach to an email, he recalls a question he fumbled during the interview and clarifies his answer in his second paragraph. He emails his letter to the interviewer that very day after careful review.
Success! He lands the job! The job search is over! Time to celebrate with a deep-dish pizza, a pint of gooey chocolate ice cream, a half-pack of cigarettes, and a couple of beers. As he gobbles, puffs, and swigs, he places his goal to give up his bad habits (including procrastination) on next week’s to-do list.
Image is Under license from Shutterstock.com
Autumn careers 