?? How Older Job Seekers Beat These 15 Awful Stereotypes

?? How Older Job Seekers Beat These 15 Awful Stereotypes 275 While almost every stereotype out there is true for some people, that person doesn’t have to be you. Photo credit: Pascal It’s widely believed that older people have a tougher time competing in the job market, in part due to the many negative stereotypes such as “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” The key to overcoming stereotypes is demonstrating that they don’t apply. With that in mind, here are 15 of the most common assumptions about older job seekers, and how to overcome them. Free bonus: The Midlife Job Search Report is a handy guide I compiled for older job seekers. Download it now. 15 negative stereotypes about older job seekers 1) Stuck in their wayseval It’s often thought that older people are stubborn and stuck in their ways of doing things. You can easily disprove this:eval Show in your resume and work portfolio that you have the relevant training and skills to do the desired job according to the latest methodologies, emphasizing how you've evolved and improved throughout your career. 2) Can't teach an old dog new tricks Similar to the above, the emphasis here is on the belief that age somehow prevents people from learning. People who use this expression believe that nature has given an early expiration date to our brainpower and creativity. While it’s true that certain cognitive capabilities deteriorate with age, research in neuroplasticity has also shown that our brains can reorganize themselves and even generate new brain cells if we stay mentally active. Therefore, inability to learn new skills is usually caused by a bad attitude rather than bad “hardware.” With the right mindset, you can add new skills to your repertoire at any age, show them off online, and your can-do attitude will surely impress employers as well. 3) Inflexible It’s often thought that older people don’t possess the necessary mental fluidity to find flexible solutions to novel problems that show up in their daily work. What a crock! This stereotype has more to do with simple closed-mindedness than chronological age. Today's culture is obsessed with novelty and innovation but in reality, the problems that most often occur in our day-to-day work tend to be quite standard and fairly predictable. Your years of experience can give you a perspective that younger, less-experienced minds simply don’t have yet. The older you get, the more you have seen and the more easily you’ll see connections between seemingly disparate things. Debunk the inflexibility myth by telling relevant success stories in your job interviews. 4) Lack of adaptability It is true that older people are more likely to question the necessity for change, as more experience will include more examples of changes gone wrong. But this doesn’t mean that they’re unable to go along with changes. Anyone can adapt once they understand the reasons for it. Be open about the fact that you don’t fear change and that you see it as a natural part of work life. A resume with many previous roles demonstrates this, but even if you've only had 1-2 long-tenured career jobs so far, prepare job interview stories about dealing well with big changes on the job. 5) Lack of technological competence, computer literacy or ability to learn new technology New technologies have drastically changed skill requirements in the job market, and older people are often thought of not being very tech-savvy. While it may have been true in the early days of the Internet, this idea is definitely outdated now. Older people can handle the latest technology very well. In fact, maybe even better than younger people, since they tend to be much less distracted by social media than people who grew up with it. Unlike soft skills, tech competence is very straightforward and easy to demonstrate: simply mention all your relevant skills in your resume, and showcase completed projects in your work portfolio. 6) Slow learners Learning effectively has more to do with the methods used and the skills of the teacher, as opposed to student age. While it’s often thought that younger people have an advantage when it comes to learning, studies have shown that it isn’t always so. For example, adults learn languages more easily than children because learning is a skillset on its own. Older adults can learn even at a faster rate because experience often gives them the intuition to focus on the 80/20 rule: the 20% of input that gives them 80% of the outcomes. Set yourself apart from the competition by explaining to employers how you value learning and don’t fear having to upgrade your skills from time to time. Throwing in the fact that you have a track record of doing so (if it's true) will also help. 7) Less productive This stereotype stems in part from the belief that between themselves and their family, older people have more health problems to manage, which makes them take more sick days. Barring requiring you (and your family) to go for doctor checkups, there's no reason for a recruiter to believe this should automatically apply to you. While productivity can be taught, a good, hard-working attitude is mostly a character trait that’s not determined by age. If you’re a productive person, specify in your resume how your efforts have directly benefited your previous employer(s). 8) Less able to multi-task Are you terrible at multi-tasking? If so, then this is good news. According to a study conducted in Stanford University, workers who considered themselves successful multi-taskers actually perform worse than people who do one thing at a time, because frequent task switching disrupts your work flow, and makes it harder to organize your thoughts while filtering out noise. But it gets even worse- Researchers also found that multi-tasking can temporarily lower your IQ similar to smoking marijuana and possibly even damage your brain. Yikes. Your best work is always achieved in a state of focus and doing one thing to completion, and you should explain that for your interviewers. 9) Past their prime If this were true, then it wouldn’t make sense that older workers tend to perform better than their younger peers in positions that require problem solving, organizational skills, attention to detail, listening and writing. So it can't be true, even though it’s a myth that's easy to accept in a culture that tends to celebrate youth everywhere we look. As an older job seeker, keep in mind that you're bringing experience and years' worth of accumulated wisdom to the workplace that others simply don’t have yet. If you can outperform other (younger?) colleagues, but most importantly, have recent achievements to show on your resume and discuss with recruiters, you're very much still in your prime. 10) Can't keep up in a dynamic, fast-paced workplace A hyper-connected workplace dictates a faster pace and puts pressure on us to get more done with less time. There’s not much evidence, however, that older employees tend to be less organized or more prone to getting distracted or overwhelmed. Again, job interview stories let you demonstrate that this isn't one of your weaknesses and might even be a strength. 11) Just don't perform as well as younger employees Some people think that older people have more of a sense of pride in a job well done than younger employees, but that's garbage. Age has nothing to do with it, and there are both young and old employees who do their job well and those who don't. This is such a vague stereotype that the only way someone could be convinced otherwise is with hard evidence, and even then, it might not be enough to influence a hiring decision if a mind has been made up in advance. While job interview stories of you working as well as, and well with, younger colleagues can help your case, you need to dig deeper. If you can find out in advance who your interviewer(s) will be, research their background for roles where they dealt with older colleagues successfully and use that to prove your point. 12) Unwilling to share knowledge, blocking younger colleagues' success As workers grow older, their increased experience gives them a capacity for better judgment. With better judgment they are often able to avoid costly mistakes that save the company a great deal of money, which adds to their value as a team member. Most people are happy to share their wisdom with others because the mentor-mentee and master-apprentice relationships have existed for thousands of years and these teacher-student dynamics are deeply ingrained in our psychology. What most employers are looking for, is someone who can harmoniously fit into their team. Some basic people skills will do the trick here, and this is something you can convey during your email/phone/etc. conversations with a potential employer. Specific examples are always best. 13) Difficult with younger bosses It’s often thought that older workers have a hard time respecting bosses that are younger than them. You might find it tough to take orders from a person who has less industry experience than you, or is in the same age group as your child. This is very common. To avoid a conflict-ridden relationship with a younger boss, keep in mind that age is just a number, and it applies to both of you. Respect that someone saw that this person had value to offer to the company or she wouldn’t be in the leadership role. If you can demonstrate during the interview process that you are easy to get along with, have been in the past, and that you don’t buy into stereotypes, generational differences shouldn’t be an obstacle. 14) Older workers cost more to employ than younger workers According to this myth, older workers cost more because they have higher salaries and retraining them (when needs change) isn't money well-spent because they won’t stay as long, limiting potential return on company investment. While older workers generally do earn more, that has less to do with their age and more to do with their work responsibilities, so giving someone younger the same responsibilities should require they be paid similarly. In other words, salary costs are roughly the same. As for retraining older workers compared to hiring younger workers with the required skills, it really depends on how much of a career pivot is needed for the older workers and how much past experience is valued. Recruiting is expensive and prone to error, while retraining an existing employee is usually less risky if done right. While everyone wants the most bang for their buck, the best you can do is target companies so well that your hiring will seem like a no-brainer for them because you have the skills they need including the ones they've begun retraining employees on, showing you're clearly worth the budgeted salary for the position. Plus, being such a clearly good match will shorten their recruitment process, saving them even more money. 15) Hankering for retirement If you're 50+, does that mean you're merely looking to kill time until the desired retirement finally arrives? Or maybe it’s time to retire the idea of traditional retirement instead? People are living longer and healthier lives. Many have already chosen to work well beyond 60, 65 and even 70, whether for financial reasons or just to have something to do. Companies also lose out if too many talented and experienced employees mustautomatically leave the workforce at 65 or whatever the retirement age is where you live. To diffuse any reservations they might have about you as an older job seeker, talk openly about your long term plans, and how “where will you be in 5 years?” is right there, succeeding at the company. Question of the article What kinds of stereotypes have you had to deal with on your current job search? Tell us in the comments. READ NEXT: 9 Real Reasons Overqualified Job Seekers are Rejected Free Bonus The Midlife Job Search Report is a handy guide I compiled to help older job seekers. This free download contains: 5 Common Mistakes Older Job Seekers Make How To Defeat Any Form of Job Search Discrimination How Older Job Seekers Beat These Common Stereotypes 9 Scary Reasons Overqualified Job Seekers are Rejected 40 Tips for Older Job Seekers That Actually Get Results Click the image below to get access to The Midlife Job Search Report: JobMob Insiders can get this free bonus and other exclusive content in the JobMob Insider Bonuses area. Join now, it's free!

Four Things To Do If Your Salary Isnt Making It Through The Month

Four Things To Do If Your Salary Isnt Making It Through The Month Everyone loves payday. Finally, you get the chance to see the reward for all of your efforts over the last month. You know youve got to set aside money for the essentials, but youre also planning to pamper yourself and enjoy the fruits of your labors. As soon as payday is over, you immediately begin to look forward to the next one. As enjoyable as the day itself is, the weeks that follow can be less exciting. It seems everyone has experienced that sinking feeling when you look at your bank balance and realize its not going to make it. If this happens on an occasional basis such as an large unexpected expense then theres little cause for concern. If, however, it sounds eerily familiar on a monthly basis, then it might be time for action. Ask for a raise  If you dont ask, you wont get. If the idea of asking for more money from your employer makes you cringe, you could be losing out on something that someone more assertive gets. You dont have to phrase it as a demand. Explain you have some extra expenses, that you think that your work is valuable. Have a figure in mind for what increase you would like, and pitch for 2-3% above that. Then youve got some haggling room which allows you to come down, looking more reasonable in the process. Cut back You dont want to hear it; no one ever wants to hear it. Sometimes, however, it needs to be said. If youre spending more than you earn on a consistent basis, then it might be time to apply the brakes to your spending. Try one month of enforced frugality. You dont spend on anything but essentials such as food, bills and travel costs and when we say food, we dont mean expensive dinners out. By scaling back entirely, you will be able to identify the areas that youre going too far on, and make changes accordingly. Use your commute to make money You spend a few hours a week sitting on public transport. Its not a good time to work due to crowding and overheating, so it becomes lost time. You can claim some of that time back by investing in a cheap mobile data plan and using survey sites while on the way to work. These sites want you to give your opinion, and you will be rewarded for it. You can redeem for cash or vouchers- all adding up in a time you usually stare out of the window and dream of your next holiday. You can find reputable sites by seeking user feedback like Ipsos i-Say Review or comparison sites for the best rewards schemes. Bust the essentials If in step two you tried cutting back your non-essentials and still found yourself struggling, take a long hard look at your essentials. Can you realistically afford your rent? Do you need all the bells and whistles on your smartphone plan? Have you saved money by switching electricity company recently? Go through your finances with a small tooth comb; you should be able to find some extra savings somewhere. Image Source; Image Source; Image Source

Finding internships and work experience abroad some points to consider University of Manchester Careers Blog

Finding internships and work experience abroad some points to consider University of Manchester Careers Blog Finding opportunities abroad can be a very different experience to job hunting in the UK. Knowing where to find jobs can be tricky without local knowledge, there may be rules in that country which you aren’t aware of, and finding paid work can be very hard. So if you are thinking of finding work experience abroad, here are some points to consider: Work experience providers that charge fees Unlike in the UK, international work experience providers can (quite legitimately) charge you a fee for helping you find opportunities. Aside from access to opportunities, they may charge for support getting a visa, accommodation during your internship, language training, providing a local mobile phone, transportation, orientation advice, advice helpline, food and so on. If you can approach employers directly this may help cut down on these fees! If you do go through an organisation that charges fees, it is important to be aware that the quality of service provided can vary between companies, so ensure that you research them in terms of their reputation, what services are included in any fees they charge and any other requirements they have from you. Visas If you need to obtain a visa as part of applying for the internship, ensure that you allow yourself enough time to apply and gain a visa. Be realistic about your timeframes and always allow more time in your planning to get a visa than you expect. In some cases, it may already be too late to gain a visa before this summer and this will affect your options. Placements placement/internship agreements If you are planning to do a placement abroad as part of your course, you may also be eligible for a grant through Erasmus Work Student Placement Guide to help pay towards your living expenses. Check all the details on our Erasmus placement page. You may be asked to fill in and sign a placement or internship agreement form. It is important to note that the university can only sign a placement agreement if the placement or internship is a part of your degree programme. Read the small print of agreements and payment arrangements and keep copies of correspondence in case you need to refer to this at a later stage. Salary and living costs It is always important to be thorough and plan your budget carefully. Ensure that you have researched if the work experience pays a salary and what does this cover? Do you know how much your living costs will be on placement? Will you need to provide any financial support yourself for during the work experience, as a backup plan or for a holiday afterwards? Insurance When working and living in another country you need to ensure you have adequate insurance cover, whether this is for illness, loss of your belongings, or accidents at work. Consider the details so that you are prepared, especially being in unfamiliar surroundings. Your safety, health and welfare are paramount. Check our website links below for more information on travel abroad insurance. For further helpful advice and information on finding work experience abroad, take a look at our International Work Experience web page. Alongside looking on CareersLink for possible vacancies, you may want to also look at our Work and study abroad pages which give useful information and advice on working in different countries and links to resources such as Going Global , and Prospects -Working Abroad pages.   You may also want to check out the resources on reference in the Careers Resource Centre. All Undergraduate international jobs summer internships work experience

Car Accident Dont Ever do this!

Car Accident Dont Ever do this! Car accidents are hugely stressful events. This is why, when they happen to us, we can react badly and make some mistakes, which can then get us into trouble or mean we don’t have as strong a case when making a car accident claim. If you’re involved in a car accident, there are a few things you shouldn’t do. Keep going After an accident, you have to stop. This is the law. No matter how minor you think the accident was, you’re required to stop your car and deal with what happened â€" even if you don’t think any damage was caused. If you can, pull over somewhere safe. Switch off your car’s engine and check that any passengers in your car are okay. Get out and go check on how the other driver is doing, but there’s something you absolutely shouldn’t do when talking to them. Apologise Regardless of whose fault the collision was, you should never apologise to someone else at the scene of the accident. This can be construed as admitting liability â€" and even if you aren’t, the other party can use this in their defence further down the line. If you apologise, it could negatively affect your chances of getting the maximum amount of compensation when making a claim. Just keep your conversation focused on whether anyone is injured and make sure to swap your contact details â€" you don’t want them to leave without taking their name, contact info and insurance details. Neglect to call the police Don’t decide not to call the police. And don’t let the other driver convince you not to do so. A police report is an invaluable asset in an insurance or compensation claim so getting one can be one of the most important things you do after an accident. If it’s a more serious accident, call an ambulance too. You may not be immediately aware of the injuries you’ve sustained. Whiplash, for instance, can take a day or two to show any symptoms. Let the professionals decide whether everyone is okay â€" and don’t argue if they recommend a trip to the hospital to check you over thoroughly. Not take pictures Photos can provide some of the most compelling and convincing evidence in any case following a road accident. After a collision, make sure you take as many photos of the damage caused to your vehicle â€" and the others involved. For this reason, it’s a good idea to ensure your phone is charged and your camera works properly. You never know when you’re going to be caught up in an incident like a car accident. You should also get the contact details of any witnesses so any pictures they’ve taken can also help your case. Don’t get caught by a staged accident Although you can’t control the actions of others, you can help to protect yourself from staged accidents. With so many unscrupulous drivers out there, it’ll pay to do what you can to stop this happening to you. A dash cam will help prove your side of the story, particularly if the accident involved you rear-ending their car. You should also be wary of anyone seemingly doing a good deed by waving you through or into their lane. They may rapidly speed up and hit your car, then claiming they had the right of way and you were the one at fault. Lose your cool The worst thing you can do when you’re involved in a car accident is lose your cool and take out your anger and frustration on the other driver. Apart from diminishing any credibility if you decide to go ahead with a claim, it could land you in hot water. It’s best to take a few breaths before you get out of your car and approach the situation with level-headed patience. The other driver may let their emotions get the better of them so it may fall to you to calm things down. Try to stay reasonable and let the authorities deal with the fallout.

Job Search Ageism What You Need to Know - Career Pivot

Job Search Ageism What You Need to Know - Career Pivot Job Search Agism Ageism is a fact of life. Let’s look at what ageism really is. According to Dictionary.com, the definition of ageism is as follows: A tendency to regard older persons as debilitated, unworthy of attention, or unsuitable for employment. I define employment ageism as being perceived as unable to do a job due to health, appearance, or skills. Notice I saidperceivedas unable to do a job. Often, our perceptions are our realities. Automobile Ageism I just traded in my 2003 Honda Element DX, which I had owned for 13 years and 130,000 miles. My Honda experienced discrimination due to its age. The dealer looked at three things to determine it’s value: Mechanics (health) Appearance Features (skills) The mechanics were in pretty good shape. I maintained it well, but…it had the original clutch and brakes. I am easy on a car! The appearance was okay, with a few exceptions. It had no dents or dings, but the front seat was worn out and the windshield was cracked. A rock chipped the windshield and I did not repair it quickly enough. Because of this, a crack formed quickly and went across the entire window. It did not affect my vision, so I left it. It was like that for years. The salesman told me that the car showed it’s age. Yes, the car was 14 years old with 130,000 miles. Listen to the most recent episode The car was not feature-rich. It was a base model with a 5-speed manual transmission. I had done nothing to upgrade the vehicle, like adding a stereo, seat covers, steering wheel cover or anything else. The vehicle showed it’s age and it experienced ageism. I was offered less on the trade in because it was perceived as being old. See where I am going with this? Ageism in the 2nd Half of Life When we reach the 2nd half of life, we may experience age discrimination or ageism.Ageism is the perception that we are old and not capable of doing the job. In some cases, the perception is that we may be too expensive. Click here to read the rest of the post at FlexJobs.com Marc Miller Like what you just read? Share it with your friends using the buttons above. Like What You Read? Get Career Pivot Insights! Check out the Repurpose Your Career Podcast Do You Need Help With ...

10 Golden Rules for Relocating for a New Job - CareerAlley

10 Golden Rules for Relocating for a New Job - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. So youve bagged your dream job congratulations! But, oh no, the job is located in a different city and is not at a commutable distance from where you live right now. It looks like a relocation is on the cards for you, and no doubt your pulse is already racing at the thought of getting packed up and transferred to a new town. Dont despair though. Moving home doesnt need to be the big stress that everyone makes it out to be. With some good forward planning and a little guidance, you can take all the stress out of moving to a new place and simply look forward to starting your new job. Here are some golden rules to keep in mind when you are organising your move. Its never too early to start: From packing to booking the domestic or office movers for your trip, starting sooner rather than later will pay dividends in the long run. Little and often: Dont try to spend a whole weekend sorting and packing your stuff. This will only result in you feeling demotivated and under pressure. Instead, aim to pack one box every day, or sort out one pile of clutter each day, and before you know it youll be half way there. De-clutter first: Just because you have 100 boxes to fill, doesnt give you license to stack them to the brim with junk. Anything you havent used or seen in the past 12 months is probably going to be of little use to you at your new home too, so bin it, sell it or give it away as you see fit. Pack from the top down: Pack your home from the highest point first. For some this will mean sorting out that attic before tackling more organised spaces, which might sound daunting but will be time well spent. Pack heavy items at the bottom: Dont crush your possessions with heavy things on top. Boxes will be easier to lift and move if they are bottom heavy rather than top heavy too. Pack to the brim: Dont overfill your boxes so you cant move them, but do pack them right to the top to avoid them getting crushed when they are stacked up. Fill empty space with lightweight duvets and cushions to keep the box at a reasonable weight. Pick a great moving partner: Removals companies come in all shapes and sizes, so get some personal recommendations from friends or family before settling on a company. Get at least three quotes and dont pick on price alone. Value for money is the key, so ensure they are up to the job before giving them the contract. Move services early: If you rely on things like internet and telephone to do business, or even just to keep in touch with family and friends, give them a moving date as soon as you can. Some of these services require 30 days notice, and others will take a week to become active, so the sooner you can let them know the date you will need them from, the more likely you are to get them ready for when you move in. Visit your new town: Spend some time in your new town if possible, and use this time to scope out things like doctors, gyms and public services. Ditch things you dont like: Moving a sofa that you hate hundreds of miles is not sensible. If you dont like what you have, sell it before you leave and treat yourself to a new item once you arrive at the new house. Make it a point to involve your home or Office movers in all your moving plans so that there is no room for confusion. It is always better to have a proper moving plan and devise strategies to come up with ideas to tackle problems associated with moving. Author Bio:James Harrison works as freelance writer. He regularly contributes write ups to business websites and blogs with most of his writings based on tips for small business set-ups, office relocation services and marketing techniques. In his free time he plays sports mainly soccer and chess. He is also passionate about reading fiction and travelling. This is a Guest post. We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ Job Search job title, keywords, company, location jobs by

Why You Need to Hire the Best Resume Writing Services NJ in NYC

Why You Need to Hire the Best Resume Writing Services NJ in NYCThere are some reasons why you need to hire the best resume writing services NJ in NYC. Resume writers who are professionals in this field have strong research knowledge and skills and they can give you a well-written one without any mistakes. You should go for resume writers who are certified and reputable in this field.The best resume writing services NJ in NYC have experienced staff who know exactly how to create impressive and professional resumes. They can create all your ideas into a professionally looking document and ensure that your resume will give a good impression to your prospective employer.People usually hire these services NJ in NYC for creating a document that will impress any employer and will stand out among others. If you are the person who has been working for quite some time in any company but hasn't been able to land the best job, then you can hire the best resume writing services NJ in NYC for crea ting a first-rate document that will get you the best job in the industry.What you need to do is to write your resume using your own creativity and imagination. When you are writing it, you should make sure that you include all your achievements, skills and hobbies in it. Your resume should also be very comprehensive and contain all the important information required by the company for the job you are applying for.The best resume writing services NJ in NYC can help you with this because they can help you put your best statements and assets together for a particular resume. This will help you get a better resume which will show potential employers your ability to perform a certain job and they will consider you for the job.Another reason why you need to hire the best resume writing services NJ in NYC is because these services can make your work ofwriting a document easier and will help you create a well-written document. It will not only help you to produce a good document, but you c an also enjoy great benefits because you will be able to save money on the fees that you will pay to the best services in NJ in NYC.If you want to make sure that you can get the best deal for your money, then you can hire the best resume writing services NJ in NYC for a document that will be competitive and at the same time, affordable. With these professional service providers, you can rest assured that your money will be spent wisely and you will be able to get quality documents that will stand out from others in your industry.One of the main reasons why you need to hire the best resume writing services NJ in NYC is because they can help you get out of stressful situations by developing a great document that will be flexible and easy to read. Hiring these professionals will also give you the flexibility to plan a career change without facing any problems or stress.