20
Companies who hire older women
Hi, I have a great background in partnerships and business development in digital and mobile segments. Lots of success and blue chip companies. I when I took time off to adopt a child and be a Mom for a while I didn't think I would have any issue finding a new job. It has now been two years looking for FTE and I have only been on two in person interviews. I am over 55 and concerned I won't be able to find employment. Anyone know of companies that do hire older women? Thank you!
Sasha Teller
60
11/14/22 at 12:53PM UTC
It seems to me that employers do not understand how important the experience of such a person is, his ability to get along in a team and the importance of self-realization.
Sandra DiazI leverage data and systems to deliver results.
765
10/22/19 at 2:48AM UTC
Another idea is to work your network as you would do for business development. The most likely person to give you a new job is someone who already knows the value you can bring to the table. Also, remember that you need to sell outcomes that answer pain points and not just your skills or years of experience. Apply your sales mindset to the task! You can join my group Spark Job Search Boot Camp here on Fairy God Boss to get support and accountability to do this! https://fairygodboss.com/groups/SJClDDCIS/spark-job-search-boot-camp
Barb HansenStartup Product, Growth & Strategy
9.52k
10/15/19 at 5:55PM UTC
I feel ya -- being over 30 and trying to find work in the digital space can be daunting because recruiters can put us in the same category as their parents who don't understand how to work their cell phone or get a quizzical look on their face when their children say twitter or whatsapp.
I am 55 and I have been working in the digital space for 23 years. A few years ago, I was faced with trying to get a job and faced road-block after road-block that I put up to the fact that I'm old and female and everyone thinks I must be technically-illiterate. "Yea, I know our company has older people working here, but they don't understand Instagram and they have never heard of Tik Tok, so I'm pretty sure you are just like them"
And here is what I did to "flip the script":
1. Changed my resume
I paid someone to update my resume (first time in my career that I paid someone to write my resume). I had the typical chronological resume that I thought showed the depth of my experience but it was really showing "age"
How do old white guys get jobs? Old white guys have grey hair, I have grey hair. Old white guys have experience. I have experience but perhaps I'm not telling my story in the right way. That is what I had my resume-writer help me with. How do I tell my story so companies will see my experience as a benefit to them?
Since I had my resume changed from chronological to success-based, I got way more responses. Also, I chopped about 10 years of jobs off my resume -- a very painful thing to do ("But I was working for the first ehealth company in 1996 why can't I list it? Isn't that hugely important? My resume writer convinced me that the timeline and company names were not as important as listing the successes I had at a particular job)
2. Changed how I think about myself.
Also, I changed the way I think about myself. I think about Liam Neeson in Taken, "...what I do have are a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long career..." When I talk to recruiters, I use that phrase or a paraphrased version of it. I am honest and very direct about what I want and the talents I bring to a company.
I can't help with companies that hire older woman but I'm happy to share my resume and/or the name of the person who wrote my resume - she is great and can also help with interview skills for senior staff.
Mackenzie GassettProgram Development Professional
56
10/16/19 at 8:30PM UTC
Join Path Forward! We're a nonprofit organization on a mission to empower people to restart their careers after time spent focused on caregiving. We fulfill this mission by working with companies to create and run mid-career internships — also known as “returnships” — that give women and men a jump start back to a professional career, while giving companies access to a diverse, untapped talent force. Join our Fairygodboss group to hear about current and upcoming job opportunities, share resources and experience, and ask questions about your journey back to work!
Barb HansenStartup Product, Growth & Strategy
9.52k
10/16/19 at 8:35PM UTC
Thanks for sharing your organization and your FGB group.
Nadine Carlson CarlisleEmergency Management gal in a boys world
11
10/16/19 at 1:30AM UTC
Barb, Thank you for sharing the changes you made to your resume and the difficulty you had in forgoing landmark items in your new format. I would love to see your resume and the changes that were made. I am very apprehensive to make an adjustment from the traditional format, but it may be the best moving forward in my search.
M.S.Partnerships & Business Development Consultant
20
10/16/19 at 1:27AM UTC
Thank you, Barb! Great response. Sent you a note as well.
Anonymous
10/15/19 at 10:41PM UTC
I really like the idea your resume writer proposed. I'd love to see it. [email protected]
Also, good luck with your search. I agree so much.
