"Recruiters and companies are definitely less interested in hiring people -- regardless of how strong their career has been -- when they reach the age of 50," says Tucker Mays, co-author of the book "Fired at 50: How to Overcome the Greatest Executive Job Search Challenge." "Many are considered, by this age, to be inflexible in their management style -- that they're not going to be able to adjust to, say, smaller companies if they're coming from a larger company. Or if they've been with a company for a long period of time and are now leaving, that they're just going to be doing things the way that one company had trained them for all those years."

If you're over the age of 50, the key to a successful job search is not only to disprove the negative stereotypes that exist, but to show employers the benefits your extra years of experience can bring to the table.

Countering the age bias

There are a number of ways job seekers over 50 can mitigate employers' subconscious, age-related stereotypes says Bob Sloane, Mays' "Fired at 50" co-author.

Foremost, he says, it's essential to make a good first impression. "It's so important for [job seekers over 50] to keep in shape, both in order to make that really great first impression and to demonstrate that they have the energy which is often unfairly expected that they won't. They have to exude that energy."

If you don't already, Mays and Sloane suggest exercising regularly. "Walking, jogging and weekend athletic activities have been proven to increase metabolism, cognitive ability and physical appearance," they write in "Fired at 50."

Also important is emphasizing a flexible management style, technological proficiency, ability to learn new skills and the willingness to work for a younger boss. "Very often today it's going to be likely that somebody over 50 will be interviewing with a prospective boss who is considerably younger," Sloane notes.

Before going into an interview, come up with concrete examples of how you've mastered new technologies, how you've worked with and for younger generations, and how your management style has developed through the years.

Proving your worth

After decades in the workforce, older workers possess life skills, talent and abilities that younger workers don't have. Emphasizing these strengths can set experienced job seekers apart.

"We cite four great strengths that you develop over time that give 50+ job seekers a superior advantage over younger individuals," Mays says. "They are problem solving skills, people management ability, good judgment and leadership. Experienced workers are usually able to solve problems faster by identifying them quicker and finding the right ways to solve them, for example. They can use their success stories in these four key areas to help prove their age is an asset."

Conducting a successful job search

Many 50+ job seekers are finding themselves in a job search for the first time in years -- even decades. If you fall into this category, and are unsure how to go about your job search, consider the following.

Expand your network

Job seekers over 50 often have well-developed professional networks. Leveraged correctly, your network can drastically reduce the time you spend looking for a job.

Sloane and Mays believe that your network is best used not to find connections to jobs, but to find connections to other people.

"[Finding a job] is really a matter of time management and how job seekers spend their time, and our advice is to spend the most time on productive job search methods while de-emphasizing less-productive channels," Sloane says. "What that really means is they need to spend 80 percent of their time networking to individuals they did not already know, prior to their search. It is all a matter of getting referrals — you want to get through the people you already know to get their help to meet people you've never met before."

Sloane suggests building up your networking efforts until you're meeting or connecting with 100 new contacts per month, and to continue at that level until they find a job. "I know that sounds like a very lofty level, but with the use of some social networking tools, like LinkedIn in particular, it is easier nowadays to accelerate your networking because you can get to new people on a broader basis faster," he says.

Focus on small companies

The best place to look for jobs if you're over 50? Small companies, Mays says.

"The reasons [to focus on smaller companies] are first, that there are 20 times as many small companies -- those with sales of under $100 million — in America as there are above $100 million, which means there are many more opportunities in that space. Secondly, those companies seem to be far less concerned about age, and in many cases they really prefer and like individuals with great experience who can help them with their business."

Hang in there

In today's economy, the job search is taking longer for people of all ages, so it's important not to give up hope. As Sloane and Mays point out in their book, "There are over 13,000,000 companies in America. You only need one, and one always needs you." Hang in there.



Understand the business to which you are applying.

 If you are fresh out of school or are considering a change in career, you may not be familiar with how businesses in some industries function. Make sure to do research on a company before applying for a job. Read the profiles of similar businesses in the same industry. If a company lists executive or employee biographies on its website, be sure to read them. Understanding what a certain business needs and values will help you as you decide how to format your resume. Once you have a solid grasp on the business to which you are applying, review resume examples that are specific to that industry. These examples will serve as an excellent guide as you formulate your resume.

Know how to make the best of the amount of job experience you have.

 Job seekers who are entering a new field may find that they have years of job experience that is not pertinent to the position for which they are applying. In these situations, you should do your best to highlight your tenure in your previous job and note any accomplishments. These items will show that you are dedicated to your work and can achieve long-term goals.

If you are entering the workforce for the first time or have only worked intermittently, you may be worried that potential employers will view your lack of job history negatively. In order to combat this, list out volunteer activities and other accomplishments that show you can remain dedicated to one task or organization for more than a few months. Highlighting your academic achievements is a good way to demonstrate perseverance and dedication.

Spend time perusing stellar resumes.

You should review resumes from the specific industry to which you are applying in order to understand what conventions and standards are in use. You should also review resume examples to strengthen your sense of how to word various entries. Pay attention to what designs you find both visually engaging and easy to read. Note the types of information that jump out as important, and try to incorporate similar entries on your own resume.

Organize information logically.

This is no-brainer advice that many job candidates neglect when formulating resumes. If you are applying for a job that requires a certain level of education or special certifications, you should include these items right after your contact information and objective. Recruiters and human resources personnel tend to be very busy and may skim over your resume quickly. It is important that you provide essential information that qualifies you for a position quickly. Your qualifications will not matter if your resume is too cluttered to be read easily. 

Know what hobbies and interests are worth including.

Many resumes include an area to list hobbies and interests. If you are going to include this area on your resume, you must make it worth the while. Share about activities and hobbies that demonstrate a specialized skill. If you are applying to a small business, your passion for photography and graphic design might add extra value to your candidacy. Hobbies that require perseverance and dedication demonstrate to employers that you are able to complete challenging tasks. Be sure to review example resumes in your targeted job area to see if including such information is common practice.

Submitting a resume is usually the first step in the job application process. Your resume should be clean, clear and well-organized. Make sure that the style of your cover letter and resume are consistent. Use the same font and general graphic design. Keep resumes and cover letters concise. The ability to distill and present a wealth of information in a small package is always attractive to an employer.

To get anywhere with your job search you really do have to put it the time and graft. The age-old saying “no pain no gain” – it’s completely true. It’s easy to be lazy when you’re unemployed, but at the end of the day it will get you absolutely nowhere. If you want to get somewhere in life you really do have to put in maximum effort day in and day out with your job search until you eventually find something. Here are three essentials to landing a job:

#1 – Plan what you want to do.

The first step is to sit down for a few hours and just think, think, and think. You need to think about you; forget about what your family wants you to do for the moment (don’t ignore advice), and ask yourself, “What do I want to do? What am I good at?” Draw up mind maps, do whatever you need to do to narrow down your job search into a few career paths. For example, if you’re hobby is photography, look into various photography jobs and career opportunities. Then get on the internet and do some thorough research into those chosen paths, note down any specific qualifications or skills needed, etc. If certain qualifications are required, you need to decide whether you want to steer clear or do what’s necessary to achieve them. You really need to be realistic with yourself here. If you have next to nothing in terms of qualifications, you need to bare that in mind when thinking about what career paths to approach. Don’t put yourself down, just be realistic – it can save you a lot of time.

#2 – Searching for vacancies.

In this day and age the first obvious step for many job seekers is to hop on the internet and browse job search websites. Some of the leading sites are great; over time they’ve developed efficiently and can match you up to suitable vacancies varying from accountancy jobs to tree surgeons. But, it’s not the only way to look for openings.

Another saying that you may hear as a job seeker is, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” This is a very true this statement. You really need to get yourself out there and be as social as possible; having a big group of friends will without doubt increase your chances of finding a job. Being a social person increases you confidence and interpersonal skills, this helps you meet new people and make new friendship bonds. Friends will always want to help you out when you’re unemployed. You need to ask everyone you know, having a big family helps, but not everyone is that fortunate.

Lastly, “get on your bike” and go. Go to job centers and CV posting. Employers will look at you in a new light when they realize you’re making an effort and will brand you as a “get up and go person.” Plan where you want to go and think outside the box. Don’t just go to the shopping center, there are loads of places you can go. Go back to your initial research and look into various companies that are accessible to you. Spend a week going round to these companies and you’ll increase your chances dramatically. By handing a CV over personally you have a much greater chance that someone who’s posted it online; you know they have it and have probably read it, whereas when you post it online you don’t know if they’ve even received it.

#3 – Work on self-improvement.

This is a huge factor. Although it’s wrong to judge someone on appearance, a lot of employers do. Regarding appearance: It’s your ability to brush up and look professional and presentable. Here are some examples:

• It’s important you have tidy suit. Suits aren’t cheap, but a well-fitted suit will impress any interviewee. Even if an interview requires you to wear casual wear, it’s still advised you turn up in a suit in order to sell yourself to the maximum.
• As well as a suit, it’s important to take pride in your hair. Learn how to wear your hair in a professional manner. You don’t need to strip yourself of your personality, but try to keep yourself looking tidy and clean cut. Being scruffy will get you nowhere, unless you’re a genius.

Work on you vocabulary and interpersonal skills, too (i.e. your conversation ability, telephone manner and e-mail structure). Here are some examples:

• Get used to answering your phone promptly and avoid missing calls. You never know who it could be on the other end, if you’re applying for jobs regularly online you should have companies calling you at least three times a week. It’s important to have a pen and pad ready at all times to write down notes, for example addresses and interview times.
• Practice speaking in a professional manner and try and make yourself sound happy, characteristic and professional. Being sharp is good, if you mumble and stutter on the phone you’ll get nowhere. A tip that always works it to smile while you’re on the phone, this will increase your confidence and although the person on the other end cannot see you they will know you’re smiling and conversation will be a lot easier and free flowing. If you’re not too confident as a person and you struggle with conversation, be as social as possible. Meet up with friends in your spare time and talk on the phone as much as possible.

Your e-mails are of great importance. It’s important to do some research to ensure you’re e-mails are structured correctly and formal. Always read over you message before you send it to ensure you don’t come across rude and to spot any silly spelling mistakes. With CV’s, take the same approach and get family/friends to check it and suggest improvements.

In recent times, it’s common employers will try and check you out on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus. So keep a clean profile, don’t have any rude or offensive text or imagery, you could be creating a stereotype of yourself.

Follow these tips and you will lay the groundwork for a successful job search.

CAREEREALISM-Approved Business Partner, TotalJobs.com is a leading job search and career advice site. They currently have over 100,000 vacancies available across a huge variety of industries.



A new report from office-space company Regus PLC says 64% of U.S. employees will be working the week between Christmas and New Year’s, with 56% actually coming into the office.

But is anyone really productive? According to the survey of more than 12,000 employees worldwide, just 39% of U.S. respondents say they expect workers to actually do much work.

I’m usually among that 56% that take a nearly-empty subway car to the half-empty office in the closing days of the year. My family lives nearby so any holiday get-togethers require little travel (or happen earlier in December, since I celebrate Hanukkah) and I don’t have to worry about entertaining kids who are off from school, so this was never a must-have vacation week for me.

Then again, it’s hard to report on stories when very few of my sources are answering their phones or responding to e-mail, since they actually are on vacation.

So why bother coming in? I actually crave those quiet days. Even if I’m not able to do much work, I can still be productive. I use this time to clear through my inbox, conquer my rather messy desk and complete other tasks for which I never seem to have time. That periodic organization allows me to be more productive once work starts to pick up.

This profession also makes it difficult to go off duty. I do manage to take vacations, but it’s a rare feat to go a whole week without something coming up at work. Even if there’s no breaking news on my beat – and there likely won’t be next week – I often have stories running while I’m away or right after I return.  In the past, I’ve discussed the logistics of a photo shoot from a Curacao airport, responded to edits from a Peruvian cybercafé and, most recently, talked to another reporter while celebrating Thanksgiving in rural Vermont.

So even when I’m off this Thursday and Friday to go grocery shopping, clean the house and otherwise prepare for a Christmas visit from my in-laws, I’ll still be at least a little bit on.

Readers, are you working through the end of the year? Do you expect to be productive?



If you are an athlete, you already possess the knowledge and skills needed to succeed. You simply need to apply these athletic habits to your career planning. Read below for additional information.

1)    Prepare for the game. As an athlete, you understand the importance of daily, ongoing conditioning and practice. It would be silly if your coach said, “Hey, forget about practice. The night before a game we’ll just have a big marathon workout.” Obviously that would be ineffective. If you do not engage in ongoing preparation, muscular atrophy occurs. Unfortunately, however, many students approach their career in a similar fashion.  Do not wait until your senior year to explore careers or gain experience. The key to a successful, satisfying career is to begin early.

2)    Identify & aim for the goal. If you do not know the location of the end zone, home plate, basketball rim, volleyball net or finish line, you cannot succeed. Similarly, you need to explore your career options and set goals. If you are unsure about your plans, you are not alone. Many students are unsure about their major and change it before they graduate. Even if you have already declared a major, it can be helpful to have your selection validated through the career decision-making process. Contact career services for additional assistance.

3)    Find the right position. As an athlete, you understand that an effective field goal kicker might be horrible on the offensive line. An effective catcher may not perform as well or enjoy being a pitcher. Similarly, you need to identify your values, interests and skills as you select a major or career. If you need help, visit your campus career center for information on some self-assessments that you can complete.

4)    Learn about the playing field. As an athlete, you have studied the terrain. You know the length of the swimming pool, tennis court or golf course. To play the game well, you need to know the field. Similarly, to succeed as a professional and obtain a satisfying career, you need to gather information about the world of work. Once you have discovered who you are, you are able to assess if the occupations you are considering match your interests, abilities, values and motivation. For information about occupational characteristics and labor market trends, visit the Occupational Outlook Handbook  or O*Net.  A career advisor can also help you arrange informational interviews or job shadows. Visit your local career services office for additional resources.

 5)    Condition yourself. As an athlete, you know which muscles need to be developed to succeed. You intentionally condition these muscles. Similarly, you need to identify the skills that employers are seeking. Survey after survey, including one by the National Association of College & Employers, have identify the top skills that employers desire. Given this research, the current emphasis at the undergraduate level is on the development of general, transferable skills that employers want and that graduates will need to adjust to a rapidly changing market place. Additional, specific skills for your occupation can also be identified at O*Net.  Now is the time to create a plan for developing these skills.

6)    Know your playbook. If you want to develop your career successfully, you must couple it with academic planning. Review your college’s catalog to identify the course requirements of potential majors. General education and introductory courses are also one way to explore possible majors and careers. Seek guidance from your academic advisor to identify these and other college requirements in all the majors you are considering.

7)    Get on the field. Hands-on experience helps you confirm your career goals, gain transferrable skills, and become engaged in the classroom. Experience is not optional; it is essential. As an athlete, you have an extremely busy schedule during the academic year. Take advantage of your summers. Pursue internships or a relevant part-time job. Use the curriculum to explore careers. Enroll in an introductory course. Seek out research opportunities. Relate the volunteer or service-learning hours that you may need to complete as an athlete to your career goals.

8)    Don’t get left on the sidelines. Pursue academic excellence. Many employers consider the grade-point-average of applicants. Your college will challenge and stretch your intellect. Yet they have also created a support system that will equip you with the resources that you need to succeed. Visit with your advisor about these resources, such as tutoring, supplemental instruction, disability services, and student counseling.  Attend every class, manage your time and motivate yourself to go the extra mile. These are all skills that future employers will expect you to practice in the work place.

9)    Study the opposition. Identify the skills that you have acquired through your athletic experiences, which some non-athletes may not possess. These skills include time management, persistence, teamwork, critical thinking and leadership. As athlete, you may be interviewed by the media, which builds public speaking skills. You also minimize distractions and receive feedback effectively. Employers value all of these skills, but it is your responsibility to communicate them in your resume or job interviews.

10) Form a relationship with your coach. The staff members at your university career center exist to help you discover and achieve your goals. Many of their services have already been mentioned in the tips above. Meet with them regularly for feedback and assistance.

Billie Streufert is the director of Career Services at the University of Sioux Falls in South Dakota. After she earned her Master’s Degree in Counseling and Student Personnel from Minnesota State University, she went on to earn distinction as a Nationally Certified Counselor (NBCC) and Master Career Counselor (NCDA).  With nearly ten years of experience in career and academic planning, she is passionate about helping professionals discover their vocation and navigate a job search in a tumultuous labor market. She is eager to connect with others via LinkedIn, Twitter, her blog, and Facebook.