Now, more than ever, people are putting off retirement and staying in the workforce longer. As the typical “retirement age” is being pushed further back, it’s important for aging workers to keep themselves relevant to ensure they are able to find meaningful work.
We surveyed our top recruiters to see what they recommend older workers do to stay competitive in today’s workforce. Here are some of their suggestions:
- Age proof your resume. A potential employer doesn’t need to know when you graduated from college or about work experience that is more than 10 years old, unless it is extremely relevant to the job you are seeking. Age proofing your resume won’t guarantee you don’t face any age bias, but it will help you get a foot in the door so that you’re able to show employers your competence.
- Get credit for your experience. If you didn’t go to college, or your career took you a different route than you expected, you may want to consider a certificate program or other formal education program to turn your years of personal and work experience into the educational experience employers are looking for.
- Look for computer and technology training. Chances are, one of the biggest reservations employers have about hiring an older worker is that he or she may not be technologically savvy. Your local library, or even Google, is a great place to start looking for technology training courses. If you’re not familiar with the Microsoft Suite, begin with a class that will teach you the basics of a new version of Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
- Find a career advocate. Whether you reach out to your personal connections or you look for formal help from a recruiter, these people will be able to serve as your advocate throughout the job search. They can market you to prospective employers and will help you to find meaningful work, no matter your age.
