Seniors4Hire.org Survey Reveals How Older Job Seekers Sabotage Their Job Hunting Efforts

An interesting study about older job seekers and the mistakes they make...confirms what I've generally thought for the last few years about jobseekers over 50.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- In a telephone survey of1,000 members 50 and older, Seniors4Hire.org found that the majority sabotagetheir job hunting efforts by making too many negative assumptions and notdoing enough, says Renee Ward, founder of http://www.seniors4hire.org. For example, 70% assumed that they would face age discrimination in theworkplace. 85% assumed that a younger hiring manager would not treat themfairly. And, 60% assumed that an employer would not consider re-training themfor a new position. The survey also revealed that 54% are not going beyond reading newspaperads, 41% are not networking, and 88% have never considered using a careercoach. "Older job seekers set themselves up for failure by these assumptions andby not doing more," says Ward, an experienced recruitment consultant. Job hunting in 2005 is not the same as 25 years ago.

Gone are the dayswhen you could simply respond to a newspaper ad, get interviewed and be hired. Ward says, "The Internet is now the primary medium of choice forbusinesses and organizations that are recruiting for their open positions.Many positions are only advertised on company web sites. Networking isespecially important for older workers because jobs at the senior levels arethe least likely to be advertised."

Here's what older job seekers can do to help themselves, according to Ward.

* Don't assume you will be discriminated against because of your age. More businesses are realizing the value of hiring and retaining the olderworkforce. Seniors4Hire.org's Featured Employers such as, Petco, CountrywideFinancial, GNC, RadioShack, Regal Entertainment Group, and Bank of America areactively recruiting.

* Don't assume a younger hiring manager won't treat you fairly. If you're being interviewed by a younger hiring manager, describesituations where you worked with younger people on an equal basis or where youfollowed a younger manager.

* Don't assume an employer will not provide you with re-training oreducation for a new position. Embrace change. Demonstrate that you are versatile, adaptable, and readyto do things differently and how your experience, skills and accomplishmentscan be transferable assets to a new position.

* Network.

* Go to company websites and peruse their career or employment sections.

* Consider getting a career coach.