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Job Hunting When You Are “Of A Certain Age”
For those of you who are ... not 35 — what’s been helpful in presenting yourself as a candidate? I was downsized two years ago from my job at a university and still have not landed a new position, despite applying for different positions at various levels, making concessions about salary, etc. Of course, the current pandemic situation isn’t helping, but I refuse to give up! What’s worked for you? Many thanks!
Lynne CoganCareer Coach for Realizing Professional Dreams
871
08/01/20 at 6:09PM UTC
Laura, What is your strategy for applying for jobs?
Laura WestMarketing Writer/Project Manager, New York, NY
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08/03/20 at 5:34PM UTC
My background covers marketing (publications, conferences, webinars), marketing project management, and B2B copywriting; I have versioned resumes for each type of position.
Lynne CoganCareer Coach for Realizing Professional Dreams
871
08/03/20 at 5:50PM UTC
Great.
What else?
Are you applying online some, mostly, only? Are you networking and what is your method for networking? Do you write cold emails/letters to the hiring manager or CEO? Are you using social networking/media to show your focus?
What kind of job do you want? What do you want to do on that job?
Do you research companies and then see if they have openings or attempt to create an opening for yourself? Do you research companies once you see a job opening posted? Do you research companies once you have a interview scheduled? How detailed is your research? How do you research?
Laura WestMarketing Writer/Project Manager, New York, NY
299
08/03/20 at 6:07PM UTC
Thanks! I'd say 95% of my applications are online; I network and social network (former bosses, colleagues, my college, friends) as much as I can, but so far, although there are great people keeping their eyes open for me, nothing has come up.
I have tried a few cold ("pain") letters to marketing and project mgt directors, but without success. I rarely go through recruiters (but I will always give one a chance if they have something of interest). I've had several completely "ghost" me, which of course is really frustrating -- first they think I'm a fabulous match, etc., and then ... nothing.
I would like a full-time position with benefits; with all the hoops that one jumps through these days, I'd rather do it for both the paycheck and the benefits. I do consider contract or part-time, but am just not seeing what I want (or not being offered the positions that I want!).
Yes, absolutely -- I research companies before I even apply, and go even deeper if I interview, so that I can refer to specific initiatives or achievements. I do research companies regularly just to see if they have job postings that might be a good fit.
Katie KristlCustomer Support & Success Professional, Denver
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07/31/20 at 5:36PM UTC
I agree that removing dates (like grad date) is appropriate, but never fudge dates - lying on an app or resume is never ok and it will get your resume thrown out if you get caught!
You mentioned applying for different roles at different levels, Laura - and something that stuck out was that you could be ruled out if you're showing *more* experience that what you're applying for. Unfair, yes, but still possible.
Before I moved to CO, I had the title of "Director of Ops" at a small startup in Nebraska. I thought that was going to open ALL kinds of doors for me, but the opposite was true. I was not truly at the level of a Director of Operations for positions in CO (no P&L experience, for example). I was a better fit for a Manager role, but because I had that prev Director role listed, when I applied to manager roles, I wasn't getting a lot of hits. I finally had a recruiter flat out ask me if I understood that this was *just* a mgr role, because he noticed I was at the Director-level previously.
I did a LOT of research, and found it's better to list your title of your job to mirror the equivalent in your area/industry. In my case, I listed myself as the Customer Support & Operations Manager, because that's where my experience level really was.
Another example to illustrate: how many people have seen the Customer Service Ninja jobs out there?
That's really specific to 1 company, but by titling yourself as a more recognized/universal role name like Customer Service Representative, you're referring to yourself in a commonly accepted term and people know where you're coming from.
Last bit of advice, try to really ID what level you're going for -- by being a jill-of-all-trades and all levels, you might actually be hurting yourself!
Feel free to DM me if you'd like any more input - I've done a ridiculous amount of learning/research on this and I'm happy to share :)
Laura WestMarketing Writer/Project Manager, New York, NY
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08/03/20 at 5:38PM UTC
I'd call myself a manager, although in recent years I've had no direct reports (some companies seem to think that this is an integral part of being a manager), so perhaps "senior level" is more accurate.
Lynne CoganCareer Coach for Realizing Professional Dreams
871
08/03/20 at 7:47PM UTC
That might be better. Look at job descriptions for the kinds of positions you want and see what terms they use.
Laura WestMarketing Writer/Project Manager, New York, NY
299
08/02/20 at 12:54AM UTC
Thank you, I'd like that! ? I keep revisiting my resume versions, my strategy ... maybe I need to tighten it up, rather than being too broad.
Lynne CoganCareer Coach for Realizing Professional Dreams
871
08/03/20 at 7:45PM UTC
There are basically two kinds of jobs: those you really want to do and those you do as bridge between where you are today and where you want to be.
If you are going after the job you really want, then it is best to focus on what you really want and not only everything you can do.
Laura WestMarketing Writer/Project Manager, New York, NY
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07/31/20 at 3:54PM UTC
I've never removed dates of employment -- I just don't see how that makes sense. Once, someone suggested that I fudge a couple of dates (!!), and I refused outright. But I did stop including my BA date after I'd been working for 3-4 years -- haven't used it since!
Maggie M.
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07/31/20 at 3:29PM UTC
Ok, removing dates on a resume seems to be the general consensus, but my question now is how many jobs are all of you applying to that don't specifically ask for date ranges? Every single job I've applied to has been an online form, and most forms will not let you progress until you fill out all of the required fields, including dates for education and roles. So, is the resume suggestion even relevant?
Katie KristlCustomer Support & Success Professional, Denver
138
07/31/20 at 5:52PM UTC
Yes, I think it's still relevant to remove unnecessary dates from the resume (really, that's only Degree and maybe other relevant education). You still want to include dates of employment.
You're right, sometimes the company has an online app that requires dates, but in my experience recently, most don't.
Most of the online apps I've completed collect basic information (to make sure you meet the min requirements of the job) and then you attach a resume and cover letter.
If you feel the dates are really hurting you, my best rec is to network with people within the company you are applying to and getting your resume into the hands of the hiring manager or recruiter directly. It takes a little more effort to do this, but can really pay off.
SamJill of all trades, master of some
361
07/31/20 at 12:54PM UTC
I am in my 60's - I was RIF'd this past October, and updated my resume to remove most dates. I took off all dates for schools (kept the schools and the degrees since I do tend to collect them). I did put month/year for the experience, since I was with one company for 17 years, and 10 years in the company before that. It's hard to keep the length of a job off a resume...
I found a position in February that is a joy. Thankfully the interview went well - I actually had two people on the interview team fighting over me (that felt so good).
I wish you the best of luck in your search.
RMG1209Research Professional in Philadelphia
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07/31/20 at 12:46PM UTC
I followed the advice of just showing approximately the last 10 years of my experience. You would think that more experience would be an asset, but not in our society. Youth is more valued than hands on experience, which just makes me shake my head. I have so much experience that others have never done, but I cannot even list those jobs. I took a job that I am more than qualified for, but I had to take it because I still have to pay my bills. So, when people ask why I want to leave my job, I tell them that although my current position has taught me a lot and I enjoy it, I am looking for something that meets my job experience level. I will say that after many applications to various jobs, I finally had 2 people call recently to set up phone interviews. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Lynne CoganCareer Coach for Realizing Professional Dreams
871
08/01/20 at 6:05PM UTC
The reason for only including the last 10-15 years of experience is not because experience is not valued. It is because the world has changed. Technology has changed. What was accomplished 20 years ago would most likely be accomplished in a completely different way today. And being that you are older (and presumably wiser), you would have improved your abilities to get a job done.
Therefore, focus on your most recently accomplishments. Tell the stories of how you got the results. What skills did you use and how did you use them? What obstacles did you overcome?
That is what they want to know.
Laura WestMarketing Writer/Project Manager, New York, NY
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07/31/20 at 2:14AM UTC (Edited)
Exactly. I have no "telling" dates on my resume! Mine shows the past 15 years because I moved into marketing project management at the end of 2005 and I was with that company until the fall of 2013. Hopefully it's not an issue.
JANA JONESStrategic Leader
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07/31/20 at 2:04AM UTC
Someone recently advised me to remove dates from my resume and only show the last 10 years experience.
Lynne CoganCareer Coach for Realizing Professional Dreams
871
08/01/20 at 6:08PM UTC (Edited)
Today's resumes only go back 10-15 years. However, the suggestion to remove dates from your resume is not a good one. That could keep it from making it through the screening software and to the eyes of a human being. And even then, the huge question will be: What are you hiding? It could be age but not likely because the resume only covers the last several years. But they will wonder if you had gaps or are a job hopper. Given all the people applying, chances are they won't bother to contact you to find out.
Oh, and it is perfectly all right to not have dates for education....Unless you want to show your prospective employers that you are a life-long learner and have recent training.
JANA JONESStrategic Leader
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08/01/20 at 6:13PM UTC
I don’t necessarily disagree with you, Lynne, and some software does require month/date format. There are companies who may get very specific on details of which month a person began a job, etc. However, this type of focus is most likely not the type of company I want to join and would be happy to know they passed on my resume. I have so much more to offer than exact start dates of my past roles.
Lynne CoganCareer Coach for Realizing Professional Dreams
871
08/01/20 at 6:44PM UTC
Do yourself a favor. If you decide to leave off all dates, do your best to get the resume in the hands of the hiring manager or CEO rather than going through the online application process.
FYI: The reason companies get specific about the month is because it is possible to make it look like you were employed for a longer period of time than you were and to make it seem that you weren't unemployed for the greater part of a year when you were.
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