Reverse Mortgage Guide

Just because you’re over 50 doesn’t mean your time in the working world has to wind down. Whether you’re one of the 2.2 million people who’ve lost their jobs in the past year, are bored with your position, or just want to move up, your years of job experience, talents, and any specialized knowledge you have will be an asset whether you choose to stay in the same field or transition to a new career. Here are five tips that will help you look for a new job.

1. Dust off that resume. If you’ve been in she same job for 10, 15, 20 years, or more, you’re resume is probably sorely out of date. When writing your resume focus on your most recent duties and give pertinent details instead of trying to include every job you ever had. Highlight areas that show your stuff, such as if you held a position with a lot of responsibility, increased sales, hired and trained employees, or oversaw large projects.

2. Work those connections. More than likely you’ve built up a network of people you’ve worked with over the years who might be able to assist with your job search. Former colleagues, clients, or other business associates may have the inside track on any hiring going on at their company or other tips that can help your search.

3. Don’t overlook professional associations, clubs, or alumni groups. Attending some of these meetings may give you insight into what’s happening in the field you want to be in, as well as contacts. Most colleges and universities have alumni groups that offer help with job searches.

4. Use your state employment office or local job search agencies. Your state agency may have training and job counseling, as well as help with resumes. Check the listings in your local newspaper for free workshops at other organizations in your area.

5. Go back to school. You may need to learn some new skills to be competitive in today’s job market. While earning a degree could open some new doors, in many cases earning a certificate or just taking classes to learn a new skill may be enough. If you aren’t tech savvy, consider taking some computer classes to make yourself more marketable.

Don’t let your age hold you back from finding a job you can enjoy and excel at.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 at 10:44 pm and is filed under Topics for Seniors . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.