Workshop I developed and facilitate for mature job seekers at WorkSource Pierce, Tacoma WA

1. Mature Job Seekers
Workshop

2. Objectives
Discuss issues and myths related to
mature job seekers
Countering age issues and myths
Resume tips
Are you “Over Qualified??”
Share information and resources for
the mature job seeker

3. You’re Not Alone!
As of June (2012), jobless people who were
55 and older had been out of work for
almost 56 weeks, compared with 38 weeks
for all age groups.
--BUT--
Unemployment rates in June 2012 are
LOWEST for workers 55 and over
This is important since there has been a
dramatic increase in the number of older
workers in the workforce in the last 15 years
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

4. OVERCOMING THE
MYTHS OF MATURITY

5. Handling Negative Stereotypes
Don’t wait for the question – be proactive!
“Tell me about yourself”– set the stage
Demonstrate what you can offer
Give examples to dispel age issues
Monitor yourself– think positive (NO VICTIM
MENTALITY!)
Keep a sense of humor

6. MYTH #1:
Older job seekers are less competent in
their jobs because they are resistant to
or incapable of change, particularly in
regard to new technology.

7. Reality:
Those over 50 are proving their ability to
learn new skills by becoming the fastest
growing group of Internet users!
Older workers have had to accept a
lifetime of job-related changes:
 New cultures
 Increased workloads
 New technologies

8. MYTH #2:
Older workers are less productive than
their younger counterparts.
a. Less capable of decision making and
problem solving
b. Slower in productivity

9. Reality:
According to Department of Labor,
employees in their 50s and 60s are more
conscientious and hard working
Greatest variations in productivity are found
within age groups, not between them
More cautious, less risky

10. MYTH #3:
Older workers are a bad investment
because their production is lower, their
health is more tenuous, and because of
their experience they tend to be over-
priced.

11. Reality:
While healthcare costs MAY be higher for older
workers, this is often offset by retention and
skills levels
Workers 55+ have been found to take fewer
sick days than their younger coworkers
Mature workers deliver an average benefit of
$1,956 per year compared to the rest of the
workforce!
People are living longer and healthier than
ever before!

12. MYTH #4:
Mature workers are more likely to leave as
they are presumably close to
retirement.
Therefore they lack a future focus and
have little or no career ambition.

13. Reality:
Since people are living longer, they are
choosing to work longer!
Statistics show workers over the age of
40 work more than three times longer at
the same job than job-hopping younger
workers*
* Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010

14. Countering the Age Issue
Don’t be the victim!
Project determination & drive
Demonstrate strengths
Show your flexibility by being open to
different shifts, relocation, different
tasks, etc.
Confront salary issues
Keep learning!

15. The reports are in…life isn’t fair!
COMMON MISTAKES
MADE BY OLDER JOB
SEEKERS

16. Mistakes…
Not spend enough time practicing
counters to age-related issues
Assume “no one hires older workers”
Have an entitlement attitude or mindset
Overestimate the value of experience
Use outdated job search strategies
TMI– too much personal information
Have not kept skills current

17. PROVE YOUR WORTH…
Tools for the Jobseeker Tool Belt
Build your network
Focus on targets
Nail the interview
Never discount your worth
“You’ve lost your job, but you haven’t lost
your skills, talent or expertise. What you’ve
got to do now is create opportunities.”
-- Chris Gardner, author of Pursuit of
Happyness

18. AGE PROOF YOUR
RESUME WITHOUT SELLING
YOUR EXPERIENCE SHORT

19. Resume Tips
Targeted to job
Employment
history to 10 years
 Jobs within last 10
yrs MUST HAVE
DATES!
 Keep dates off
education before
last 5 yrs

20. Resume Tips
STRONG
 Use action verbs
 Keep tenses consistent in past tense
 “monitored”
 “established”
 “evaluated”
 NOT “responsible for”
Current
 Are your skills up to date?
 Are you using CURRENT terminology?

21. Resume Tips
Focus on VALUE
 Accomplishments
 What you can do for them
 Take the focus OFF age

22. Resume Tips
Use the right format for you
 Chronological
 Functional
Ask yourself:
 Do I have job gaps?
 Is my job history consistent in the same
career?

23. EMPLOYER
ASSOCIATED WITH OVER-
QUALIFIED APPLICANTS

24. Employers’ Concerns
Will you feel downgraded performing job
functions below what you’ve performed in
the past?
Will you feel your skills/education will be
underutilized?
Will you get bored quickly?

25. Employers’ Concerns
Will you feel you’re being underpaid?
Will you jump ship as soon as something
better comes along?
Will you want MY job?

26. Indicators of Over-Qualified
Concerns
Some employers will tell you that they
think you’re over-qualified
Some will demonstrate concern by
asking time or date related questions
Some other indicators are questions
related to fitting into the job, with co-
workers or being able to accept
supervision.

27. Addressing Over-Qualified
Concerns
Address unspoken concerns
Let employer know you understand
possible concerns
Ask interviewer to define concerns they
might have
Present honest, candid rationale
supporting your decision to seek a lower
position

28. Questions?

29. “You’re never too old to
become younger.”
Mae West (1892 – 1980)
For further assistance:
KMyers@ESD.WA.gov