1. Who do you know?
One of the advantages on your side is that you will find that you know more people than the average college graduate. You will find, that this is a great way to move ahead, and to make sure, that you are going to get the job that you need. Think about the people that you know who are in the industry that you are looking to get into. Who can they introduce you to, and what can you do to make sure that you are in the loop when it comes to getting that all-important interview? With that in mind, you will find that you are going to be able to make a great impression and to get the job that you need.
2. Selling yourself
One common question that baby boomers are asked is how they would describe themselves. In many ways, this is a way for an employer to know how you would get along with younger co-workers. More and more, office harmony is coming at a high premium, and adding a worker who will make things unpleasant and who will then be difficult to get rid of can be extremely frustrating. Present yourself as being high-energy and with leadership qualities, and mention any achievements that have pushed you to the top of your field. Make sure that they understand that you are current on the technology that you may be dealing with.
3. Underselling
It is a shame, but in many places, you may find when you are looking at job-search tips for baby boomers that you will need to think about job discrimination. Sometimes, companies will only have a certain amount of budget and they will shy away from people who they consider, to be overqualified. For instance, if you have twenty years of experience in the industry, it might be best to only admit ten if you feel that the company is one who will be hesitant to take you on. Remember that you should be upfront, but that in some ways, you may be forced to hide your light under a bushel basket, so to speak.
4. Thinking about your salary
Many job-search tips for baby boomers will try to help you with salary requirement questions, but the truth of the matter is that this is a difficult question for anyone to answer. There is a lot going on here, and you will find that unless you can take some time to think about what you want, you may find that your previous high salary is working against you, particularly if you are going into a different industry. Take some time and think about your answer. One good catch is to state what you know to be the industry average for the job and to ask if that was what they had in mind. This absolves you of giving an answer that will come back to haunt you.
5. Looking to the future
When you are looking for a way to make sure that you can get the most out of your work, you may find that you are asked where you think that you will be in five years. It is important to remember that when you are thinking in terms of job-search tips for baby boomers that this question means that you are being asked whether you will use this opportunity as a bridge to retirement. This is something that can go a long way towards getting you the job or losing it, so be frank. Bringing this up on your own may earn you extra points, and you may find that you can easily turn this to your advantage. Talk about how excited you are to be in the industry and how you plan, on sticking with it.
6. Good energy
When you are in the interview, you will find that you are looking at someone who is checking you out not only for your requirements, but for your energy level. There is a general concern among many hiring staff that older workers will be unable to move when they need to, that they will be constantly tired or low energy. Remember that smiling a lot can make a lot of difference, sit up straight, and make sure that you stay animated. This makes a lot of difference in the long-run, so make sure that you consider what you are looking at in this regard.
Remember that when you are looking for job-search tips for baby boomers that you should always take the time to think about what your strengths are. Account for your weaknesses and remember that sometimes you have to do a lot of searching to find the job for you.
