Getting Hired When Over 50
Seven Steps to Take
Ensuring that you’re employable after age 50 does not require any unusual tactics, just some special attention to the skillset you possess and how you market it to an employer. In this sense, getting hired after 50 does not mean any drastic changes to the strategies you used when getting your first job.
The key to getting hired is to show your employer what value you can bring to his or her organisation. Whether it’s your particular experience, your unique skills or your network, there has to be something that you can leverage to convince your future employer that their organisation will be better off with you in it.
We’ve put together seven tips to get you on the right track and kick your job search into high gear.
1. Get your CV/Resume right
Different industries have different expectations when it comes to the resume. You need to make sure that you’re presenting your experience in a way that makes sense to employers and recruiters alike. Recruiters have specialised systems for quickly assessing resumes and older style resumes simply won’t make the cut.
2. Understand what your employer is looking for
Don’t underestimate the importance of tailoring your resume for each company and position you apply for. The job market is competitive, and you need to be acutely aware of what employers are explicitly looking for and how your experience and education makes you the ideal fit. This will vary from job advertisement to job advertisement so make sure you edit and save a new resume for each position. Don’t try to edit the same resume over and over. Create a template resume for each industry and save a new version each time you apply for a position.
3. Fine tune your resume
If you’re in your 50s and looking for work, chances are you’ve got a pretty hefty career history. While employers value experience, managers and recruiters are often time poor and may receive hundreds of applications for each opening. Make their lives easier by highlighting your most recent and relevant experience. A good rule of thumb is detail for each job you’ve had in the last decade. Make details available for earlier jobs available upon request.
4. Highlight your contemporary knowledge
While you’ve got a lot to offer as someone with extensive experience in your field, you do need to remind your new employer that you’ve kept up to date with the latest trends in your industry. This might be related to sales techniques, project management methodologies, or general knowledge. Read up on the latest ideas or have a chat to people who have their finger on the pulse.
5. Network, network, network
Yes, networking may be the obvious suggestion, but when it comes to getting hired in your 50s, you need a slightly different approach. Managers these days are not necessarily your peers and may be substantially younger than you. Chat to individuals from Gen X to Z and get a feeling for where your industry is headed and what kind of opportunities are out there. This will also help you gauge current expectations for your dream role.
6. Shine a light on your tech skills
Following on from previous points, it is important to show that you’re adaptable and flexible when it comes to learning new technologies. Industries are rapidly being disrupted by digitisation and whether or not you are in a customer-facing industry, being on top of standard software applications is a non-negotiable these days. Brush up on your skills and make sure to draw attention to your knowledge in your job application.
7. Celebrate your experience
This is where you get to shine! You have substantial experience, and this is your key value proposition. Use the position description or job advertisement to find what the employer truly values in a new hire and sell your previous experience as the key to generating value for the organisation. This will help you stand out from the crowd and hopefully win you the job.
However, whether you’re 21 or 51, putting together a competitive job application can be time-consuming and overwhelming. Executive Agents can take the stress away and give you back your time with one of our specialised career packages. We will write and design a unique CV, cover letter and LinkedIn profile that perfectly fits your industry and employer expectations. Get in touch with us today and find out how we can help you get that dream job.
Nickolas Vokolos
02:59 21 Jun 24
I have to say I am very happy with the outcome and the way the initial interview was undertaken, and the way that Kate... worked though the process keeping me informed on the way. Kate has been great to deal with and have appreciated her insights and feedback. So overall very happy with the outcome and I have fed this back to the executive recruiter as well.read more
Bryan Swanson
01:40 21 Jun 24
It was lovely meeting you last week and after our conversation, I was confident that I have found the right team to... support and lead my business towards a brighter future.read more
Josh Andersen
03:56 07 Apr 24
I wanted to drop a quick note to say thank you for your support...I thought you'd like to know I was successful in my... application and am now the new Vice President of our Australian division. I am absolutely delighted, have been to Japan twice already and am loving the new opportunities that this role is presenting me with. Thanks once again for the professionalism and support you showed me.read more
Stewart Fischer
09:34 14 Nov 23
I wanted to drop a quick note to say thank you for your support...I thought you'd like to know I was successful in my... application and am now the new Vice President of (----) Group Australia. I am absolutely delighted, have been to Japan twice already and am loving the new opportunities that this role is presenting me with. Thanks once again for the professionalism and support you showed me.read more
James Elphingstone
02:21 09 Nov 23
I’ve always got jobs through my networks and internal promotions. I’ve never had to prepare a resume and selection... criteria statement before. The team helped me develop a high quality, great looking cover letter. My LinkedIn looks great and I'm getting invited to interviews.read more
Charles
13:03 27 Oct 23
I can't say enough good things about Executive Agents. From the moment I got in touch, they offered incredible service.... I worked with Kate and Nick on my resume and had two mock interview training sessions. Their support was instrumental in landing the position I wanted. The mock interviews were a game-changer, and I can't recommend them enough. Thanks, Kate & Nick!read more
Starc
07:22 16 Oct 23
I reached out to them, they promptly responded to my inquiry and helped me fast-track my resume and cover letter for a... position that I initially thought was out of my league. Anna, the expert I had the pleasure of working with, was an absolute delight.read more
Quynhanh Phan
07:22 16 Oct 23
I Recently had the pleasure of working with Executive Agents and I can't express enough how incredible my experience... was. Right from the moment I reached out to them, their service was outstanding. Kate and Nick were the dynamic duo behind my resume and mock interview training, and I have to say, their expertise was truly instrumental in helping me secure the job I had my heart set on. The mock interview session they conducted were nothing short of a game-changer. i came out of them feeling more confident and prepared than ever before. I wholeheartedly recommend Executive Agents, and a big thanks to Kate and Nick for thier invaluable assistance!read more
izhar MaZaRi
11:58 14 Oct 23
Working with Tracy and the Executive Agents team to create my management consultant resume was a fantastic experience.... Their professionalism, industry knowledge, and exceptional service were impressive from start to finish. I'm grateful for the resume they crafted, which I believe will open doors to new opportunities. Highly satisfied!read more
Natalie Long
23:58 13 Sep 23
Executive Agents offer an incredible service right from the first contact. I engaged with them for resume development,... and followed through with two mock interview training sessions. My experience with Executive Agents resulted in me being successful for the position I was applying for. I really could not have obtained this position without their coaching and support. I particularly found the mock interview sessions incredibly helpful and imperative to putting my best foot forward. I would hands down recommend them to anyone - especially Kate & Nick. Thank you!!!read more
Alice Rae
02:48 07 Jul 23
Wonderful detailed team that have helped me so much to update me CV and Linked In to present my self in the best... possible way.Would highly recommend.read more
John MacLean
04:27 29 Jun 23
Fantastic service. Very prompt, professional, and you can tell they take great pride in their work. I'd definitely... use their services again.read more
Thomas Foo
11:12 23 May 23
I recently had the pleasure of working with Tracy and the team at Executive Agents to have my management consultant... resume prepared, and I couldn't be more impressed with the exceptional service they provided. From start to finish, they displayed professionalism, expertise, and a deep understanding of the industry. I am extremely grateful for their support in crafting a resume that will undoubtedly open doors to new opportunities.read more
Ann Verdolini
01:05 16 May 23
From start to finish, the team at Executive Agents was dedicated to ensuring that my resume accurately reflected my... skills and experience, and positioned me as a top candidate for the jobs I was interested in. Their personalized approach, exceptional writing quality and outstanding results make them a truly top-notch service.read more
Chris Serfontein
10:52 20 Mar 23
Very happy with the services received from Executive Agents. All required services was done within the promised... timelines witch helped me land my dream job. I highly recommend using Nicholas and his team to give you the edge over other candidates!read more
Helen Ward
11:55 16 Feb 23
Executive agents were professional with their expert process and the outcome exceeded my expectations and gave me... confidence to pursue worthwhile and rewarding work that ulilizes my strengths and enables me to reach my career and life goals. The branding experience and process was a significant aspect of the process. In a nutshell I am gifting this service to my daughter and husband in the future. This might be the best review, when you want loved ones to have access to the remarkable assistance you have had in securing work you love. Thankyouread more
Michael Ward
22:35 09 Nov 22
My experience with Executive Agents has been exceptional. They are very responsive and the standard of the cover... letters and CV updates and have given me the best opportunity to secure the roles I have applied for. I highly recommend Executive Agents and will continue to use their services for future roles I apply.read more
Fiona O'Donnell
09:00 02 Oct 22
Executive agents was fantastic. They responded to my inquiry within minutes and fast tracked my resume and cover letter... for a position that I thought was likely out of my reach. Anna was great to work with and was able to help me find examples within my experience. She produced a highly professional cover letter and I was offered an interview. I was so happy to get to interview stage and thanks to what was written for me I felt confident. I was offered the role the next day and am so glad I decided to work with professionals. Thanks EAread more
