Mid-Life Career Changes: What You Need To Know To Beat Out The (Younger) Competition
November 30, 2010
The following post is courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap:
The days when a young college grad could start with a great company and settle in for a 30-year promotion-filled career are gone. Not only do we job-hop from company to company these days, more and more of us career-hop…but that’s where it gets tricky. Career-hopping in mid-life brings a unique set of challenges for the job candidate. It can be done, and done well.
Older candidates can bring experience, good judgment, and stability to a position, but there are a few negative stereotypes you might have to overcome before you land the job. Older workers have a reputation for not embracing change, not being willing or able to learn new technology, not having the energy or mental flexibility to keep up in a fast-paced position, and not being willing to take orders from a younger boss. Here’s how you can get past those issues and get the job you want:
Energy and Flexibility
The only way to avoid these issues as a candidate is to constantly be learning: read books, take classes, and keep up with the latest technology. Some of this can go on your resume, but most needs to be discussed in your interview. Make sure you bring up what you’ve read and what you’ve done lately to actively pursue your career. Don’t rely on your job experience to carry you through. Bring a great attitude to the interview, and let your energy and enthusiasm for the job show.
