Writing a Resume for Reentering the Workforce
Writing a Resume for Reentering the Workforce.
Unemployment is running rampant throughout the country. Between that and the economy, many older people are seeking to reenter the workforce. Whether you are a former stay-at-home mother looking to add income to your family or are simply looking for a new position due to layoffs and cutbacks, finding a new job as a ‘grown-up’ poses it own unique set of challenges.
The old adage ‘you never get a second chance at a first impression’ holds true for all interviews, but even more so for the older worker. In many cases decades may have past since your last interview, so it’s important to take a close look at your appearance before you begin interviewing. Everything from shoes to hair should be examined. Is your hairstyle up to date? Is your
Suit Appropriate for your age? Keeping your look fresh and appropriate is the first step toward scoring big with your interviewer and avoiding a check mark in the ‘old guy’ box by interviewers who will typically be years younger than you.
Chances are the last time you interviewed, you used the classifieds or a headhunter – things will be different this time around. Social networking sites, job boards, email and more have brought the process of finding a job into the future. Learning how to use all of these technologies and sites is crucial if you hope to land a great new job. Don’t stop after checking out sites like Monster.com and Career Bank; make sure you utilize everything the Internet has to offer. Resume building sites can help you build the perfect resume and then customize it to fit different job postings. Social networking sites can group you with professionals in your area of expertise. Blogs can help you gain insight into new interviewing tactics. The Internet holds a wealth of information if you are willing to sit down and delve into it.
Spruce up your interview skills. Gone are the days of simple questions about your skill sets. Today’s interviews are designed to put you in the ‘what if position’ so it’s a great idea to practice answers to several likely questions. Also, because multiple people are interviewing for just one or two open positions, learn to use your ‘hellos’ as a way to advertise yourself. Instead of a simple ‘hello, my name is…,’ use that time to get into your interviewers mind. You want to stick out right from the beginning. Make sure when the interviewer is reviewing your resume later he or she thinks ‘Oh yeah, this is the one that….’
Finally, learn to blend the wisdom your experience has gained you with an understanding of the culture of GenX. Emphasize your belief in GenX concepts like teamwork, equal standing and a fluid workplace. Spend some time learning the buzzwords of the workplace today. Consider preparing a statement about the strength of multigenerational teams. This isn’t the same workplace anymore Dorothy!
As an older person seeking to reenter the workplace, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the process and the pressure. Spend your time researching jobs and lingo, update your look and be prepared for the long haul. Remember, finding a job is work too, so get up each and everyday as if you were heading off for a real job – it will pay off!
