Advice for Mature Job Seekers

Often, the more mature job candidate feels that they are too old to find employment - this is an attitude that is almost guaranteed to make them fail. mature applicants need to assess themselves differently, and place the right emphasis on their skills. The problem is not one of age, it is one of identifying what the market needs, assessing skills, enhancing or adding to those skills and marketing to provide a solution to an employer's requirements. With the right skills, anyone can find employment - at any age.

Your approach to find a job may vary, but here are some ideas that you may wish to consider:

• Your starting point might be your local Job Centre. The staff there will inform you about activities that are going on, such as Job Clubs or special training programmes, which might help you. Your local Training and Enterprise Council will also be able to help with training.
• Be willing to consider an immediate short-term job rather than holding out for a long-term job. Many temporary jobs have developed into permanent situations as a result of high quality work.
• You can work for several companies as a part-time consultant. Your service would be affordable and your earnings would multiply.
• If you find out about a new business that someone else is starting, your experience could be a valuable addition.
• Look for problems. Applying your experience to a troubled company can provide solutions for a small company's problems and be affordable for them.
• Look at your hobbies. Do you have a skill that you have never taken advantage of?
• Get involved in a charity, a professional association or community work. While you may not be earning immediately, the contacts you will make could be extremely useful for opening new doors.
• If there are no jobs in your area, you might have to be prepared to move where the work is.
• If you have an in-demand speciality that other people would like to learn, consider becoming a teacher or trainer.
• Join forces with other candidates with complementary skills to create your own company.

Never think that you are too old for a job. You must believe in your eventual success. Someone somewhere has a desperate need for your skills. Your job right now is to find that opportunity.

• If you have writing skills and something to say, you may want to consider writing an article or a book that will satisfy a need. Taking a few writing courses will help you quickly understand what sells.
• If you were working in a department or division that had a speciality that another company could use, you can offer your know-how and, perhaps, bring in a team made up of former associates. Think of competitors or companies that could profit by your knowledge and contacts.
• Keep your referees informed as to your progress. Often, they will be able to make suggestions.
• Find out which sectors of industry are growing. Be prepared to get additional training to move into one.
• Remember that your salary does not have to match a former high level. More importantly, you should be doing something you enjoy. Price your services competitively even if it may require an initial cut.
• The right attitude is essential. Take notice of your physical appearance. Ensure that you dress the part and are well groomed.
• Contact organisations, public and private, that are in touch with small- and medium-sized companies that may need your talents.
• To keep your name before the public, design and teach a course in your speciality at a local college or at evening classes.
• Try offering your services with remuneration based on performance. You will be making an offer that is hard to refuse while gaining the chance to prove your worth.
• Don't give up, persevere. You must be prepared to keep making new contacts. Research information about companies, people and products. Improve your interviewing skills with practice.