40+ Career Clinic

Career workshop for mature workers offering general job search advice

Transcript

1. Welcome To
2. Objectives • Ageism in the Workplace • The Age Advantage • The Roller-coaster of Unemployment • Staying Motivated • Labour Market Information • Resumes and Cover Letter Tips • Making a Positive Impression
3. Ageism Ageism: A basic attitude that makes assumptions about mature individuals and their abilities and places labels on them
4. Age Discrimination • It is illegal to be denied employment, promotion or training due to your age • Your age should not be used as a factor to force your retirement • Asking personal questions in an interview about age is not necessarily illegal
5. The Age Advantage • Your Skills • The Local Labour Market • The Employer’s Perception of you
6. Older Workers Are • Just as adaptable to changes in the workplace as other workers • 5 times more likely to stay on the job • More careful and have fewer accidents • More productive because they make fewer mistakes • Comfortable being supervised by younger colleagues • More open to criticism leading to self improvement • Utilize more advanced skills
7. Top 3 Employee Skills • Willingness to learn • Willingness to stay at the company • Customer Service Skills
8. Your Employability Skills 1. Identify the skills you used to fulfill your responsibilities 2. Describe situations in which you have demonstrated your skills
9. The Emotional Roller Coaster of Job Search Adapted from Handling Unemployment in Groups Leaders Manual, CMHA Metro Toronto.
10. How to Successfully Manage Feelings • Talking with others • Support or Employment Groups • Take a Step Back and Breathe Deep • Maintain structure • Physical exercise • Positive speech
11. Attitude is Everything • You're more employable with a positive attitude • With a positive attitude you present a more memorable first impression • Your self-esteem will increase along with productivity • You will have more energy to pursue your goals and dreams
12. Staying Motivated • Frustration and Fatigue are a normal part of job search • Remember only you have control of your attitude • What areas you can improve in
13. Labour Market Information • National • www.workingincanada.gc.ca • Provincial • www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/labourmarket • Local • www.niagaraworkforceboard.ca
14. General Tips for Cover Letters • Remember your cover letter is an introduction, designed to give the employer a taste of what you can do • Emphasize that you are a proven commodity • Customize your cover letter • Ensure that your cover letter expresses your understanding of the employer’s needs • Proofread your letter before you send it out
15. General Tips for Resumes
16. General Tips for Resumes • Include a qualifications summary • De-emphasizing dates • Make sure to include a current e-mail address next to your contact details. • Be aware that some companies use keywords from the job description to filter the best resumes from electronic databases
17. Work Experience on Resumes • Only list the last 10 years and no more than 15 • Do not exaggerate how long you were at your last job • Emphasize results, accomplishments, and achievements that could set you apart from other job candidates
18. Education on Resumes • Be sure to list all relevant courses and professional development activities that you have undertaken • Make sure that you only list courses that you are currently certified in • Do not include the dates of when you graduated high school
19. Resume Formatting • 2 Pages Max • It is acceptable to have 2 or 3 tailored resumes • Let your experience work for you rather than against you • Place employment dates on the right of the page • Maintain a 1 inch margin where possible • Proofread
20. Making a Positive First Impression PREPARATION • Do your homework / research • Prepare your resume • Anticipate questions they might ask • Put together a list of questions you want to ask • Practice how you want to present yourself
21. Making a Good Impression Delivering a Resume • Dress professionally • Ask to speak to the manager/supervisor if they are available • Offer the manager your resume • Sell yourself. Be ready with a thumbnail sketch of the skills and talents that set you apart • Convey interest, enthusiasm, and confidence • Listen to what they're saying • Be aware of the time • Follow Up
22. Making a Good Impression at the Interview • Dress professionally • Offer the interviewer your resume or other documents • Convey the knowledge you have of the organization • Sell yourself. • Ask about the application process • Listen to the question and make sure you answer it fully • Follow Up
23. Overcoming a Bad First Impression • Timing – A key factor in overcoming bad first impressions • A common example is you’re on your way to an interview and there is traffic due to an accident. Don’t wait until you arrive at the employer to explain why you are late. Call ahead and let them know what is happening so that the interviewer is not waiting around or that alternate arrangements can be made. • Be prepared – The reality is that bad impressions come from, not nerves, but a lack of preparation
24. Good Luck with your Job Search