| In today's economic environment, it seems like every | | | | position. |
| unemployed age group is struggling for a job. While | | | | Get into Networking 2.0 |
| younger people certainly have their legitimate gripes | | | | If you're not already on a social networking site, go |
| with their lack of experience, older workers over 40 | | | | ahead and open up an account and create your own |
| are finding that their years of job experience can be a | | | | space. Many positions these days aren't found by |
| yellow flag to some employers. | | | | traditional means, but by meeting people through social |
| All official job forecasts for the immediate future | | | | networking. If you're clueless about how to sign up with |
| indicate that a 10% unemployment rate will be with us | | | | one, there are several good books and websites that |
| for quite a while. There are simply not as many jobs in | | | | can walk you through the process. |
| the U.S. as there used to be. While we can argue | | | | This is no longer optional. Having a social networking |
| about why that is, it doesn't help the over 40 person | | | | page or a blog of your own, shows a potential |
| who's looking for employment right now. | | | | employer that you're keeping up to date with the latest |
| The fact is, the country is in a time of great transition | | | | technological trends. Plus, it's a great way to meet |
| from the traditional manufacturing society, to one that | | | | people like yourself who are going through this tough |
| is increasingly automated and "do-it-yourself" oriented. | | | | unemployment phase. |
| This means that there's less jobs which require human | | | | Revitalize Your Look |
| minds and bodies to manually do things. | | | | Put on your interview clothes and take a look in the |
| Many service jobs have been shipped overseas and | | | | mirror and really scrutinize yourself. This is what a |
| will never return. If you're over 40, you may have | | | | potential employer will see when you walk in the door |
| started your work career in either a service or | | | | looking to be hired. |
| manufacturing job which no longer exists, or is really | | | | You're already at a disadvantage because you're not |
| hard to find these days. | | | | an eager 20-something. So, what can you do to |
| In this current economic environment, large employers | | | | instantly convey that you're just as eager to get to |
| are shedding workers and small employers are | | | | work as your younger counterpart? |
| struggling to find money to expand and hire more | | | | A quick way is to overhaul your professional look. And, |
| workers. This all makes finding a job for people over | | | | let me just say right now that people DO judge a book |
| 40 even harder. | | | | by it's cover – even if we learn we're not supposed |
| Yet, giving up should never be an option. If you're | | | | to do that. An employer may take one look at you and |
| savvy and persistent, you can greatly increase your | | | | see an "older" person, therefore triggering an instant |
| odds of landing a good position. Here are some tips to | | | | bias. |
| keep in mind: | | | | Giving yourself a mini makeover will make you feel |
| What Are You Really Interested In Doing? | | | | good, while appearing more youthful at the same time. |
| This is a really good question to ask yourself at this | | | | So, if you've been wearing the same old, style of |
| stage in your working life. By this time, you've spent | | | | haircut forever, go to the salon and get something that |
| many years doing specific job tasks. Now's the time to | | | | looks fabulous on you. If you've got a little gray, |
| figure out if you want to do the same type of work, or, | | | | consider getting your hair color treated. Remember, in |
| is there something else you'd really like to do, but just | | | | this tough environment you need every little advantage |
| never went for it? | | | | you can get. |
| If you're interested in going in a new direction, find out | | | | Buy a new interview outfit and make sure it's tailored |
| what kind of skills and training you'll need to have for | | | | to fit properly. Get your teeth whitened and learn to |
| that type of job. Because you're unemployed, you | | | | walk with your shoulders up straight. Practice smiling in |
| have an opportunity to do some job training. There are | | | | the mirror and greeting your interviewer. First |
| websites that offer free and paid training. Or, visit your | | | | impressions are everything. |
| local job training center. | | | | These are small changes that can make a big |
| Your willingness to learn new things and to get training | | | | difference in how you're perceived before you even |
| shows that you can easily adopt to a new type of | | | | say one word. |