Interviewing with Class

Posted by: Leaidan

Touchdown! That's a really cool way of putting it!

Posted by: April Brown

I am sorry it's taken me so long to write a response to the issue of older employment seekers finding work in today's market.   I think that for those of you that are finding this challenge, I would recommend that you focus on networking to find your next job.   I think that if you could get a personal inside referral that might give you the additional leverage when interviewing.  Try it and let me know.  Best of luck!

Posted by: June

One item that should be added to the list is learn as much about the company as possible before going into the interview.Two weeks ago, I phone screened, and followed up with a face to face last week.   I am now waiting for the offer letter. After the phone screen, I spent several hours reading up on the company and was very impressed with what I learned.   I pulled the pics of the executives and when I met one in the hall, I recognized him from the website pics and said hello by name.   An interview is serious business - even in a good market - but I've found its easier on the nerves to not take life too seriously - but still remain focused.  You just never know what little unrelated things will turn the corner for you.

Posted by: mhorn

Manny is right, the big discrimination is not race or sex, it is AGE.  I am almost 58 and they are hiring 2, 30 somethings to do my job.  And in the IT business or any tech field it is more prevelant.  

Posted by: Silly Rabbit

george frey: You may be right to some point but not everyone knows "basic 101 interview skills" and some that do, fail to apply them. Since you seem to believe that the advices given above are so basic, would you be so kind as to offer some of your knowledge in advanced interview skills?

Posted by: george frey

All of the above are basic 101 interview skills.

Posted by: SR

April I respectfully disagree with your advice to John. As well I believe you misunderstood his question and comments or took it out of context. First of all, some people DO want to interview for their replacement, if and when the interviewer him/herself is looking to move up in their own position and looking for a good replacement for themselves. Secondly, I don't believe the issue that John brought up had to do with knowing more than the interviewer. The interviewer is not always necessarily a person that is hiring in the specific field or discipline i.e HR Manager, Recruiter or Hiring Manager. The issue is overqualification for the job and the financial strains that affect the company of hiring a seasoned and experienced  candidate versus a less experienced and more economical salary requirement for the copany. Lastly, toning down in an interview gets you nowhere fast. There is absolutely no reason or logic in underselling yourself. Please read the last part of my post above that offers some leeway to the issue.

Posted by: Silly Rabbit

Seems they're not allowing any more of my posts on this thread. Well, good luck everyone.

Posted by: April Brown

John - You have a great question!  One way that I would think might work is to tone down your resume and experience.   No one wants to interview for their replacement.   So the chances are if you are actually more qualified than your interviewer, don't make that known.   Be impressive but show that you are willing to be a team player and do what needs to be done.   Follow up!  Also, ask them questions and ask them what they are looking for in a perfect candidate. Taylor your resume to their needs even if you don't get that job - at least you can have criteria that they are looking for and most likely that is what someone else is looking for as well.   I hope this helps!   

Posted by: Silly Rabbit

In the first part of this post, we had a look at some employment trends specifically for the 40+ generation that are not to ignore by companies and gave some tips on how to move forward. (If you haven’t read that article, read it by clicking here.) In this post, I am going to share with you some tips on how to best represent yourself with your CV or on job interviews, that will really highlight your value to the employer. In times of recession, employees over 40 are especially put out to the danger of losing their jobs. Not because they would not do a good work, but merely due to the financial package coming along with their expertise, which might be even heavier if you have made your way up in the organisation and have been with the same company for a longer time. Upon losing their jobs, one of the biggest challenges that I hear from 40+ people is they are getting rejected by new employers, being labelled as overqualified. Indeed, in this economic situation, many companies tend to look at the budget first, forgetting the benefits that experienced people can add to their team. This doesn’t mean though that all companies are doing this deliberately – sometimes they just don’t see the value a senior person can bring on board. And it is your job to get them known this! How? You need to start already with your CV. Once the recruiter takes your resume in their hands, the benefits and value of hiring you must come across in less than 15 seconds (this is by the way the same for job seekers of any age). So your CV is your number one tool to show them what you’re worth. Forget the cover letter, recruiters getting 200 CVs per day, will not even bother to open it, unless they got interested in the candidate by the resume. So keeping these in mind, what are the benefits of your experience? These might include: •Short (or non-existant) learning curve. Sometimes employers tend to forget that not only hiring has its cost, but the initial learning period as well. Once you highlight that due to your existing experience this learning curve would be dramatically shortened, it will mean to them (a) less training costs and (b) better productivity and instant results leading to profitability. So in the summary/skills part of your CV, whatever way you formulate it, you need to show them the direct link between your experience leading to profit.•Developed soft skills. Young hires do not only need an investment in technical training but also in developing their skills. These might be organisational, time management, communication, work ethics, adherence to rules and much more. Again, companies tend to neglect this hidden cost, therefore it is up to you to draw their attention of what they gain with your background.•Training / Coaching skills. Again, due to the already elaborated technical and market knowledge of 40+ employees, they are the best people to train or coach the juniors. In your CV, highlight any training/coaching experience you have and show up what results it had in your previous company (for example if you trained sales staff and they brought a certain revenue after the training).•Consultant status. As you are coming in to the organisation as an experienced person, you have a fresh, external and therefore more objective view on the company, its strategy, products etc. Use your experience to show them in what way it can contribute to improving profitability by giving them your consultative approach, sharing industry best practices and trends.Of course, these are just some examples of strengths you can come up with in your resume. As for the interview and salary, a trend that I am seeing more and more often among 40+ “overqualified” people, tired and sick of job search that they agree to settle with a less than ideal salary level, but with the condition to get a raise either bond to a timeframe or results. This could be a good strategy to follow. Just imagine if you show your flexibility by signing a contract with the less than expected amount and you specify that an x% raise would be given to you tied to y result, this y result will bring money to the company, which will enable it to pay you better, leading to a mutual win-win situation.

Posted by: Silly Rabbit

Most organizations are looking for young talents with some existing experience. They are seen as flexible, adaptable to the structure and working culture and have less demand salary-wise in return of developing their skills.While working in recruitment, I personally also received requests from my clients to consider age in the selection process – which of course I refused. Not only is it illegal to discriminate people based on age by European law, but also strategically it is not a wise decision for a company to act so. Why? In only 2-3 years’ time, on European scale there will be more workforce of the generation 40+ than younger. This means that ageing society will start showing its signs in employment.  But if the average age in companies will move up and it will be difficult to find replacement for the experienced and soon-to-retire staff, organizations need to value more the generation 40+. There are lots of companies out there that don’t even bother doing evaluation or career planning with their employees over 40, whereas their interest should be exactly the opposite – keeping them motivated and building on their strengths and experience. A young and motivated new hire might be more engaged in cold calls, but why not use the experienced ones for key account activities due to their client knowledge or how about product development / marketing due to their product and market knowledge? In general, this generation is already clear with expectations in terms of promotion, so why not give them more varied activities, let them coach or train new staff or involve them in strategic planning?  The 3 most important things that a company should do: 1.Evaluate also senior workforce and develop a career plan for them2.Hire a coach to set up the inventory of their skills and see how they could be transferred into a potential new job 3.Make sure you are aware of ageing within the company and assure a good working relationship between generations, by looking at how to capitalize on the strength of both groups. If you are one of the heroes of this article, here are 3 steps to follow: 1.Make a balance of your career – Are you sitting in your dream job? What are your skills and interests? Where do you want to be? What skills do you need to develop to get there? If you find it difficult to go through this process by yourself, hire a career coach to help you guiding. 2.Check whether your desired opportunity exists within your current company or whether you can create it!3.Act!

Posted by: Silly Rabbit

Stand by for my opinions and advice for the issue of Older Career Seekers, the over 40+ work force. The latest trends, upcoming trends and resume/interview tips.

Posted by: Muhammad Fahim Iqbal Awan

EXCELLENT

Posted by: Silly Rabbit

So here's a basic copy of an influence/thank you letter. The original that was sent out was not this long, but it was a rough draft and I've included the whole thing to give you an idea of what you would include in it, then minimize it. I also changed the company name and location to a fictional one to preserve anonymity...Dear Mr (name), I wish to thank you for taking the time in meeting with me today.I also wish to inform you that I have been very selective of whom I have inquired to for teaching positions here in MontanaUDEN is only 1 of 2 other English educational companies I had chosen to pursue and possibly represent in the particular discipline of teaching Business Language Communications.After some extensive research and assessment in the educational industry here in Montana, I have determined that UDEN is one of the highest caliber companies providing superior services and teaching personnel to its top end clients. I believe I am well suited and aptly qualified for many of the teaching and tutoring positions that UDEN has to offer.In particular regards to the 1 on 1 teaching format, as I've mentioned, I do have several lesson programs of my own. Though we did not speak in detail about my private lessons experience, I do have private 1 on 1 teaching experience with Corporate Managers at Montana Foreign Trade and Funds.I am currently still teaching 1 on 1 privately. This will not conflict with any schedules that UDEN may require. My teaching schedule is extremely flexible. As I have stated, I posses a diverse range of experience in working with all levels of Business English communications.Throughout my career I have taught, coached and trained both Foreigners and Americans in effective communications in the business atmosphere.I also posses knowledge and insight into a diverse range of business disciplines. Through my expertise and history in event planning and management, I have been fortunate enough to be exposed to every business and industry imaginable; both in the Corporate and private sectors. As a teacher, instructor and tutor you would be getting much more than just a business English language specialist.You would be obtaining a highly skilled business professional, experienced and immersed in the business culture both here in Montana and the the US to represent UDEN and to further your endeavors to provide the highest quality services. If there is anything more that you may require to elevate my chances of representing UDEN as a teacher, please do not hesitate to contact me. I do have recommendations and a list of personal and professional referrals that I may provide upon your request. Again, thank you for your time, efforts and consideration. Sincerely,

Posted by: Silly Rabbit

The dreaded "What's your weakness" question. Here's a basic rule of thumb in answering this question. Always start with the negative and end with a positive. Remember that this question is directed towards your job function and not a question of your personal life. Also the question is to get a better idea of your ability to self assess yourself and your willingness or openness to accept constructive criticism in an effort to improve your ability in the job position, function or assignment. Keep in mind that your self assessment of a weakness could be percieved as a strength or a positive asset and the answer should reflect that in some way. Here's a good example of how to answer that question...My weakness is that I am a very logically minded person. Because of this, it may at times hinder my creative ability when required to think "out of the box". I am acutely aware of this weakness and I often rely on my objectivity and ability to recognize my colleagues and team members that are more creative than I. I have no problem in asking for assistance from others and am willing to put aside my ego to insure that my tasks, assignments and job is completed efficiently and with outstanding results. You can of course reverse this answer to say that your weakness is creativity and lack of logistics etc...Notice that it started with a negative, a confession and ended with a positive along with another message that you are a team player.The "where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years" etc...This question is to get an idea of what your long term goals and ambitions are. It is both a personal and professional question. Do not focus on details of your personal life. Answer this question in how it relates to you and the company/job you are interviewing for. Emulate your ambitions to move up either with the company or the career discipline the job is focused on. Briefly touch on how your advancement would affect your personal endeavors. Example: In 5 years from now I see myself as a proficient, respected and highly knowledgeable associate within this company (or industry). With the additional skills I acquire in this position, I see myself as more of a contributor and outstanding leader. Through my determination to succeed, I want to make a positive impact in not just this company but of the industry as a whole. In 5 years from now I'd like to be a proud and recognized representative of the quality and service this company provides, well established both personally and professionally, to grow and prosper with this company and provide a better quality of life for myself and my family. You should change and customize the words to better fit your personality and make it sound sincere and not so "rehearsed". The rule of thumb in answering this question is to keep it simple and direct. Show them your energy, zeal and enthusiasm to succeed in whatever endeavors you rech for.Hope that helps!

Posted by: Silly Rabbit

To Linda and Kay,So sorry I didn't get back to reply to your questions, I have some very practical applications for your issues and question. I apologize that my time is a bit short and I will respond to your questions and offer my input at a later time.  

Posted by: Silly Rabbit

Milica Vincent: It is absolutely acceptable to take notes during your interview. I would not even ask if the interviewer minds if you take notes. Just pull out your notepad and/or day timer. Always have notes and questions ready and take them with you to the interview. In fact nothing impresses more than to have a notepad/book and calender/daytimer out at the beginning of the interview. An interview is essentially a professional and formal meeting and should be treated as one. Taking notes will also help when drafting a post meeting letter i.e. Thank You/Influence Letter.

Posted by: Silly Rabbit

Hello everyone! Well I didn't expect such a popular response to my comments on the influence letter. If you'd like a sample I suppose I could dig an old one up from me files. When I get the time, I'll be glad to post it. In the meantime, I hope this helps...here's a few tips on how to write an "influence letter": Instead of a Thank You note, you can write a letter designed to influence the hiring manager to decide in your favor. How do you do this?First, start by thanking them for the interview and for the opportunity (i.e. a simple Thank You!). Then tackle any specific doubts about your candidacy that you think they may have (you should have gotten a feeling for any at the job interview).  For example, if you sense they are wondering if you are a good fit, explain how you can meet their needs and back it up by showing how you’ve performed at your previous jobs. Highlight your relevant skills.Use this opportunity to mention anything you wished you had said during the interview but didn’t. This may be your last opportunity to do so.Make sure to reiterate your interest in the job and in the company and keep it short.Before sending the follow-up letter out make sure it is without typos or grammatical errors. Remember this simple rule: proofread it, then proofread it again, then have someone else proofread it.

Posted by: Laura Contreras

What are the dos and don't when they ask you what's your weakness?

Posted by: Milica Vincent

Silly Rabbit, I loved the interview questions you offered but am posing this questions to you and others.  Is it acceptable to take notes during this question period in an interview?  Is it acceptable to bring the questions with you and to ask the interviewer if they would mind if you take notes.  (After all, they are taking notes as well.)  There are so many relevant questions in an interview and job details are an important takeaway for the interviewee.  Plus, no one wants to repeat the same questions at a later time.

Posted by: Kay Beegle

I am 55 looking for job...I too am very qualified in my field...I found some very helpful responses to questions on GMA website from Tory Johnson. She was on a few weeks ago with the top 5 interview questions you should be prepared to answer. One that always tripped my up is "what is your weakness?" and "where do you see yourself in 5 years?" She also offers a really good conversation for the overqualified situation...I have 2nd interview tomorrow with 3rd ranked in my industry.

Posted by: Achilles Cane

Very interesting and informative.  As jobseekers, we need to be patient and not to lose hope..lets try and try again until we finally get hired..

Posted by: Brenda Lambert

I am 57 and have been unemployed for a year now.  I have worked every day since I was out of high school so very difficult to be let down when you think the interview went well.  Even though I look much younger, I think too much experience scares them into thinking you may know more than they do which could lead to future problems for the employer.  I think the strategy has to be a willingness and eagerness to work for them expressing a very positive attitude.  I have only had 2 interviews in a year and both jobs went to a much younger male.  The thing that hurts my chances for an interview the most is nothing in the Education spot on the application/resume.  I only can put HS Grad so you know they are going to pick someone with some kind of degree, especially if more their own age.

Posted by: Linda

I am a few years under 40 with over 10 years experience in Internet Marketing. I am feeling the "age" issue already! I didn't think I was old but am starting to feel it.I left my job over 4 months ago.I have went on several interviews that I thought went very well, but was not offered the job and considered "over-qualified" at the age of 37.The biggest hurdle I am trying to overcome is in answering the questions of why I left my last job without having a job lined up.There are personal and political reasons why I left, so perhaps I am not answering the question well. I know employers can ask if you'd rehire this person, and I am sure my last place of employment would say "no" even though I have stellar references from clients and providers as well as fellow co-workers(over 20 on Linked In).Any tips on answering the "Why did you leave your last job" question?

Posted by: Susan Matern

Thanks for all of the information.  I would like to know more about the "influence" thank you letter that you are talking about. If you could suggest a link where I could find and example of this type of letter, it would be much appreciated.

Posted by: Andy Ambitious

Silly Rabbit, please give an example of an "influence letter".  What does that mean?  Also, my input on the job hunt these days is that employers know they can wait until they find a person that has the exact knowledge, experience, and skills and do not ever need anyone that is a quick learner or experienced outside of their small world (exact industry for example).  In short, the supply is still too great and also the buyers are more cost conscious than they have been in a while(for all economics geeks - price elasticity of demand is up).  The buyers also have often figured they can take their time in hiring because their current workforce has no choice but to accept higher workloads until the new hires come in - or fear losing what they have.

Posted by: sammy

It is very informative. Thanks!

Posted by: Silly Rabbit

Donna Mack: The days of the "Don't call us, we'll call you" is slowly beginning to dissipate. Although not all companies practice it, as you've experienced, most professionally ethical hiring managers or equivalent will send you an email or call you to tell you that they have filled the position or that they will not be going forward with your candidacy for the position. It is perfectly appropriate to ask the question "When will you be making a decision?" Most hiring managers or employers will give you specific dates or at the very least an approximate timeline. This will at least give you some idea of if they have made a decision an if you do not hear from them within the time they gave you. It is perfectly appropriate to send a follow up email the same day or at least within 3-4 days immediately following your interview. You may also suggest that you look forward to their correspondence in the near future. This at least gives them some awareness that you are awaiting a confirmation either way without being too eager or obtrusive. In any case, a follow up email is usually a good idea. Following up after the interview will help you stand out and may demonstrate that you are a strong candidate for the position. In fact, if you don’t follow a simple post-interview etiquette, you may actually harm your chances of getting the job. According to a survey conducted by CareerBuilder, 15% of hiring managers wouldn’t hire someone who didn’t send a “Thank you” note, and 32% would think less of them.There are 2 basic types of follow up letters. A standard "Thank you letter" and a more innovative and latest trend "Influence letter" Let me know if you'd like me to elaborate or some suggestive examples. Good Luck!

Posted by: Silly Rabbit

Christian, I totally agree with you and there are many ways to reword the question. Here are a few examples of questions that may help in preparing for the last psrt of an interview when the interviewer asked that the dreaded "So do you have any questions for us/me?"Here are a few great questions to ask during a job interview:1. Could you describe a typical day/week in this position? The typical client/customer I would be dealing with? How will my leadership responsibilities and performance be measured? These questions not only show your interest in the position, but also help you to clearly understand your role and the tasks that you would be expected to undertake.2. Can you tell me about the opportunities for learning and development? or What is the company’s policy on providing training, seminars and workshops so employees can keep up their skills or acquire new ones? This will help you to understand where the job might lead and what skills you might acquire. It also indicates that you are ambitious and thinking ahead.3. What are the skills and attributes you value most for someone being hired for this position? or Do you have any questions or concerns about my ability to perform this job? From the answer to this question you will understand if you fit the position. If they say that you are lacking in some key skill then you can move into objection handling mode and point out some relevant experience or a countervailing strength.4. If from the company’s web site you’ve learned some information about new products, new stores, hiring or laying people off, etc., you can ask about it. For instance, What can you tell me about your new product or plans for growth? or I’ve heard the company X laid off a number of employees. So, what is the biggest challenge facing the organization today? The answer gives you a bigger picture of where the company is going to as far as its strategies and it proves that you are interested in more than just “Nine to five” job. It can lead to interesting discussions that can show you in a good light – especially if you have done some intelligent preparation. But do not ask questions that are clearly answered on the employer’s web site and/or in any literature provided by the employer to you in advance. This would simply reveal that you did not prepare for the interview, and you are wasting the employer’s time by asking these questions.5. After answering interviewer’s questions you might also want to ask about his/her personal insight. For example, What attracted you to work for the company? or What opportunities did you have during your career? People often like talking about themselves and if you can get your interviewer talking you can make a good impression and learn useful and interesting things.6. Also a good strategy to use is to ask the interviewer to summarize something for you. For example, you can ask: •In your opinion, what are the three most important changes that this company is making right now?•What do you consider to be your firm’s most important assets?•What does this company value the most and how do you think my work for you will further these values?These types of questions show an interviewer that you take the position very seriously and want to understand the company strategies and how you personally can help.Many candidates take a passive role during the interview. They competently answer the questions that are put to them but never take the initiative to ask a question. Sometimes, a relevant question will come to you during a conversation. Don’t be afraid to ask it then. Asking a relevant question can spark a related conversation during which you can demonstrate more of what you have to offer and will significantly increase your chances of being offered the job.And if you prefer to learn from somebody else’s mistakes, read a few funny, but useful Most Embarrassing Job Interview Situations.Good luck with the interview!

Posted by: Gene Gee

Indeed, age discrimination is alive and well.  Still, what is the alternative...we go to the interview, do our best, and hope.  There are some good basic guidelines to follow in this article that I think are designed to reduce nervousness as much as anything.

Posted by: Hopeful hunter

I want to thank Angel for this article and all the commenters for their input...pros and cons. It's been very helpful. I am 55 and have been laid off for over a year now. I have submitted over 250 resumes and applications during my job search and had a few, non-productive interviews. I have encountered some of problems others have mentioned concerning age and overqualification. I am going to a job fair tomorrow with over 30 potential employers attending. Some instant interviews will be performed. I have my sights set on obtaining one of those instant interviews and will most certainly have the great information from this forum discussion in my mind. Good luck to all in your job searches. I do keep the faith and know that every day gets us all one step closer to a job. Take care all.

Posted by: sandy

that advice is very good I'm looking for a job but like everything, sometimes we make a mistake that weas a seeker don't realize, thank you for your time for helping people like me to know things that we need to know. thank you...it was helpfull

Posted by: Alicia Ramos

 It's great!. I believe, following this advice will surely lead any applicant to get hired. Thanks really. It helps me improve my application scheme.

Posted by: oliyad middeksa

what should be a great(difficult)question.  

Posted by: Takahiro Odo

Thanks for the essential advice.

Posted by: Christian Pridgen

Okay. Research. I have done that to the point of I knew what causes they supported, how many rewards they earned and when, and how fast the company was upsizing! When I commented earlier that I have been told that I was overqualified and that I should focus on another field...these are the companies that told me that! When I go in there dumb-founded I seem to at least have a fighting chance. Now it is preety obvious that you do not ask "what will I be doing?", but if you don't really know and need to ask then come up with a clever way to reword that. For example: what type of reports and there formats do you require, or even, how do you prefer the burgers to be cooked? There will be some way to reword without seeming naive.

Posted by: Donna Mack

I totally agree with the comments regarding discrimination.  I think single moms fall into that category in these times.  My biggest stumbling block is getting a timely response.  I have sent personal letters the day of the interview and still had to chase them down for an answer after 2 full weeks have gone by.  Is it appropriate to request of a prospective employer an actual "appointment" for follow up?

Posted by: silly rabbit

There's one other important preparation and strategy not mentioned.Research and know something about the property, facility, company or business you are interviewing the job for. Take notes and bring them with you. Nothing impresses an employer more and emulates your seriousness in working for the company than to show that you have thoroughly researched and is knowledgeable about the business and particular company you are endeavoring to represent. Mention facts and small details about the company that may be public info but perhaps little known by most people. Anything that displays your attention to details etc..

Posted by: Silly Rabbit

To the person that responded with asking the question to the interviewer "what will I be doing"? You can't be serious. You actually ask a question like that to an interviewer in that fashion in an interview for a job? Then follow up with "will I be doing anything more"? Then having a ready made generic response like the one you gave example of? That was meant to be a joke right? I hope no one actually takes that advice and asks questions like that to any interviewer. Any one know why you would never ask a question like "what will I be doing" to an interviewer? Should be pretty obvious but I may be inclined to elaborate if no one else does.

Posted by: jack evatt

Frank Ybarra:  thank you for the extra information on the interview questions - very helpful.

Posted by: Daniel

There are two reasons old folks don't get the job: [1] your experience makes you a threat to all those that are over you [2] you can pay the kids less, a whole lot less. Excellence in the work place is not as important as the size of the payroll.

Posted by: Sylvia Borovay

I liked the comment Rick Ybarra made about salary negotiations.  I will make that comment because it helps the employer focus on how valuable you are: Perhaps we can discuss this later when you've offered me the job.  Rick, has this worked for you?

Posted by: Deb Noncz

All of the tips mentioned in the article are good but I think another important tip is trying to make a personal connection with the hiring manager. One of my prior managers said this worked for him in his last job change. You can do this on a phone interview as well. They have to like you and see you working well with them in addition to having the skills they need. The good news is I had an interview last Monday, second on Wednesday, and got the job offer on Friday. The other thing I did after the first interview was send my reference letters and recommendations copied from linkedin with my email thank you. I sent them email because my second interview was so close after my first one and I wanted to make sure they were impressed in case they had any doubts. Again I stressed my need to help them be successful utilizing my skills they really needed based on the interview. The hiring manager and I are the same age and we went to the same university plus we made a personal connection. I am very excited to start work for a company which is profitable and growing, people are nice, the commute is perfect and the job appears to be a great fit. Also the offer I got was exactly what I expected based on the current market. So I write this so you know there is hope for your ideal job. Keep applying to jobs on job boards and let your friends know you are still looking. I had been interviewing for months and frustrated by the tough job market. I had over 30 years with one company so it's impossible to hide my age, and I decided to leave my last position to look for a new job opportunity before the job market went bad (2008). I had several head hunters tell me I would have no problem getting a new job but that did not turn out to be true. My network and head hunters did not help me with many job leads. Just keep at it. If you don't hear anything in a week after posting, post again for the job and follow-up to see if it's been filled if you had a successful interview and you want the job. Good Luck.

Posted by: Rob M

The 7 tips are not enough, not even the BARE minimum of things you have to do to prepare for an interview.  There are MANY more that must be done.  For example, you must research the company, its history, management team and their background, interview team (if you know who you will be meeting) and their background, company culture, industry trends and competitors, company strategy and recent results, key products they  make or services they provide, specific job requirements and specific examples where your strengths, skills and experiences meet and/or exceed them, know at least 3 relevant and tangible successes or experiences you have had for each job you have had, and at least a half dozen questions for the interviewer and team.  Do NOT focus on the comp and benefits but the job's requirements, challenges, culture of the company, strategy, opportunities for personal growth, and so forth.  You MUST be prepared these days for each interview and most of what I've listed above can be found from the internet: company website, linked in, google and miscellaneous searches.Now that doesn't address Manny's comments which I have also encountered.  But the fact is, you are not getting any younger.  Go in prepared and you will come off confident/assured and will be the very best you can be.  From there, you have to beat the competition.  But somewhere in this process, by being fully prepared and willing to do what it takes, and that can take hours of your time, you have a much better chance of beating out the younger candidates.  Just my $0.02.

Posted by: Patricia

I have to agree with Manny James, John and Jessica Morgan, job hunting is much tougher these days - especially for those of us in the older age bracket.  I believe it is age discrimination.  I have been applying for roles everyday for 4 months and had about 5 interviews.  My most recent interviewer advised me that the role was a little 'junior' for my experience.....when I spoke to the agent about the role she said I didn't get it because some one more experienced got it!  

Posted by: Matt

All great advice, but I have to agree...it's not doing much good now-a-days.  I've had at least five interviews in the past two weeks and have heard nothing more.  I go into the interview, cool, calm, collected and very prepared.  My resume consists of IT industry certifications and a 10 year military background.  A work history that is almost unheard of in this trouble filled era.  Still...nothing!  So you can do all you want to prepare and bottom line is, even if you dot all the "i's" and cross all the "t's", put on the best interviewing show, follow up with thank you notes...your still not getting the job unless you fit the bill of what they are looking for.  And if you are what they are looking for, then you could have skipped all the garb and still get the job.  Sorry to sound a little bitter, but I know I am more than qualified for the positions I am interviewing for.  Good luck to all in this crappy economy!

Posted by: Dilrukshi Rajaguru

Thank you for the great advice.

Posted by: MAHADEVA S. SARMA

I agree with John totally. That was a well written response. Experienced people are not hired for one more important reason.For one thing technology is covering up for experience to some extent. Second, the firm needs to pay more to get experienced people. If they could hire at a lower cost to company, with "Quality of work is passe, so long as the firm is not put into dangerous troubles like safety compromised", they would rather do it.

Posted by: Rick

I agree with Manny, John And Jessica. I am 60 years old and was "let go" 18 months ago. I was told in one interview ...'there is a huge applicant pool, I can pick who I want...'. That was for a sales job for nuts, bolts and fasteners. they only wanted young, inexperienced people they could cheaply train. It is definitely not easy for veteran workers.

Posted by: Donna

This is great advice.  My problem is, no matter how prepared I am for an interview, once I arrive my nerves take over.  My mouth becomes as dry as if cotton had been stuffed into it and my mind goes completely blank.  This ultimately leaves a bad first impression.  Any suggestions for overcoming this "interviewing nightmare"?

Posted by: Sharon

Whilst I appreciate all the hints and good advice given for resume writing and preparing for the interview, I am rather discouraged and not sure if meeting these expectations is enough or effective at all to land a job interview, not even a job!  I have several years of relevant working experience and also taken a compulsory course required for the career I will go into, but like one of the respondents said; experience, quality and knowledge are dinosaurs of era gone. I can't help but wonder what some H.R. or is it the company expect from these resumes and interviews ?  Thought it would be difficult, but so far, it actually felt impossible.

Posted by: Bulus Gambo

Thanks for the advice, very timely I'm scheduled for an interview tomorrow. Hope to get the job. I am prepared and i have a strategy.

Posted by: OKE OLUWABUNMI MARY

THANKS,IT'S A GOOD ADVICE.I APPRECIATE IT.

Posted by: Muhammad Mansha

An excellent/fruitful ideas.

Posted by: David Obeissant

thanks great tips

Posted by: Jessica Morgan

@ Manny James, I completely agree with you. In the past 2 weeks ive had 3 interviews did exactly what these "tips" said to do & have not gotten any of the jobs. The fact is, these days it's just hard to find a job!!!!

Posted by: Rick Ybarra

Great information and responses! Along with my working resumes, I take along a sheet with names, addresses, telephone numbers, dates of employment, etc. of my past employers. This sheet comes in handy when you are asked to complete a hand-written application. As far as questions to ask during an interview, I always ask (if not discussed), "What will I be doing?" Then I respond using my experience and accomplishments to match each responsibility. I continue the interview by asking, "Will I be doing anything more?" Then match your experience to the duty as before. If something is mentioned that I've never done before, I always respond by saying, "I've always wanted to learn to do just that, and I am a fast learner." During the interview, I would never ask about benefits or compensation as these are typically brought up by the interviewer. Whenever the question about my compensation needs is asked, I always say that "Money is very important, but right now, I am more interested in learning more about this opportunity. However, I would seriously consider an offer of fair market value." Before giving a chance to be asked "What do you consider fair market value?" by the interviewer, I ask, "What do you have in mind?" In the past, I have been asked on the spot usually no more than two times about my compensation needs, and I have never mentioned specific amounts, even if I knew the proposed salary range. If asked a third time, I would say, "Perhaps we can discuss that later when you've decided to offer me the job." Good luck to everyone seeking new opportunities!

Posted by: John

April, You didn't address Manny James's comment on why some of us "older" (I'm 47) experienced people are doing just those things you suggests, geeting some interviews, having great interviews but still get rejected for jobs we may be qualified for or maybe even overqualified to do?I do think employers are discriminating more against experienced people for there seems to be a lack of appreciation for wisdom and experience.Those qualities just don't matter to any industry any more. Quality isn't important anymore,it's a passe term. What they value is quick, inexpensive and a gloss of safety.I worked for NBC for over 20 years and I remember being told before I was laid off "John, we can't be worried about quality anymore, what's now important is that the work is done fast, cheap and no one gets hurt". I guess those are the new more in the job place.Those of us who considered that experience mattered, that quality was paramount and that craftmanship was of high value are now considerd dinosaurs of a by gone era. Sad, really sad!!

Posted by: Zenaida A. Staples

Thanks for this great advice, very timely I'm scheduled for an interview today. Hope to get the job.

Posted by: MAUREEN

great tips

Posted by: Sii

@ manny James, I couldn't of put that know better way!!!!

Posted by: April Brown

Thank you for your wonderful comments.   Sheryl, to address your question, I would take note of the interviewer's names and write thank you notes to them.   Go ahead and mail them - in fact, write your thank you notes on the day of the interview and mail them right away.  Make a special or unique comment that will refresh their memory on who you are and what you have to offer them.   Good luck with your job search! James, I would ask questions like what types of benefits do they offer, what would a typical day be once you were hired, what their expectations are of their employees, and ask about turn over.   It's important to get an idea of what their turn over rate is and to make sure that they keep their employees happy.   You don't want to work somewhere that treats their employees badly or unjustly releases their employees.   You want to make sure that you are as good as a fit for them as they are for you!   Good luck James!  

Posted by: Cheryl

Thank you! Great tips... Especially the one about emailing the prospective employer after an interview.

Posted by: Manny James

None of that matters when it comes to age and years of experience. I have tried it all. Interviews went well but I didn't get the job.I Should say Jobs..There are new and more sophisticated ways to dicriminate against race, gender,age and more..A lot of us are being left out because of it.

Posted by: Sheryl

My question is: What should I do if on the application it says not to call and follow-up on status of application?

Posted by: James Riggs

What would be great questions to ask during an interview?

Posted by: Gregory Crisler

Tht was some great advice, and I totally agree with it.               Thanks...