Tips for How To Get a Good Job After 50

Searching for a job over 50 can feel like a daunting task. Although age discrimination during hiring is illegal under the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act, it does occur. One study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that older applicants receive significantly fewer job offers than younger applicants. But job seekers over 50 should not be discouraged; many employers realize that more mature workers have lots to offer, including more experience, greater reliability, better accuracy, and refined social skills. Follow the advice below to increase your chances of finding a good job.

The following tips can help you get a good job at any age:

1. Network, network, network

Networking is critical to any job seeker, but it can be particularly important for older applicants whose resumes might get filtered out because of age. Fortunately, one advantage of looking for a job after 50 is you’re likely to have a larger network of connections than younger applicants.

Talk to former bosses, colleagues, coworkers, or people you’ve supervised or mentored. Attend career fairs or professional conferences. Let friends and family know you’re looking for employment. Reach out to people in your network, and ask them questions about their company and their role, or strike up a conversation about the latest industry news. Let them know you’re looking for a job without asking for a job. 

Make sure you have a profile on LinkedIn and that it’s up to date and includes a professional headshot. This is a great place to include a link to your portfolio or highlight skills, passions, and goals that won’t fit on a resume. With over 15 million jobs posted on the site and more than 350,000 people using LinkedIn to find new talent, this is one of the best tools you can use to land a job.

Learn more: 5 Ways to Grow Your Network From Scratch in a New Industry

2. Use job search sites that target older workers

These job search sites help match applicants with employers who are seeking more mature workers:

• WhatsNext.com: This site offers lots of features for job hunters, including assessment tools, career guides, expert articles, and even career coaches. Plus, it hosts a blog filled with real stories of later-in-life career changes.
• RetiredBrains.com: Aimed at a 55-plus audience, this site offers great advice on finding full-time, temporary, or seasonal jobs; starting your own business; updating your resume; and seeking continuing education.
• RetirementJobs.com: More than 1 million members use this job search site to post their resumes and search for full-time or part-time jobs.
• Workforce50.com: This site provides a list of age-friendly employers by industry, as well as job search functions and content.

3. Make sure your skills are up to date

A common mistake many job seekers make is assuming they aren’t qualified for a job just because they don’t know how to use a particular software listed in the posting. Instead of taking yourself out of the running, try to learn the software with a YouTube tutorial or an online course. Some courses even offer certification, which you can and should include on your resume.

Many industries and employers rely on collaborative software. Slack, Toggl, Trello, Zoom, and Google Meet are all examples of software employees use to have video meetings and communicate with one another, and it is critical to understand how to use them. Again, online tutorials can be helpful here. 

If an employer wants to do a video interview, be sure to download the app before your interview and test it out with a friend to make sure you know how to use it. Also practice sharing your screen in case the hiring manager wants to review your portfolio or another document during the call.

4. Optimize your resume

Applicant tracking systems (ATS) screen most resumes before a human ever lays eyes on them. To get past this system and make sure an employer gets to see your resume, make sure you’re tailoring your resume for the job using keywords listed in the posting.

Also make sure your resume isn’t indirectly revealing your age. Consider removing graduation dates when listing your education, and don’t include more than 10 to 15 years of relevant experience. Only include jobs prior to that time frame if they are extremely relevant to the position or more relevant than your recent jobs. Keep your resume to one page, unless you’re in a profession that requires a more extensive CV. Focus on writing great descriptions for a few jobs, rather than trying to fit as many jobs as possible onto the page.

Another flag that indicates age is an outdated email address. Don’t list a Hotmail, AOL, or Yahoo account. Instead, opt for a Gmail account, which employers consider more current.

Outdated language can be an indicator of an older applicant, as well. Make sure you’re using the most current terminology to describe your experience, and don’t mention software or data systems the industry no longer uses.

Learn more: 13 Tips To Age-Proof Your Resume

5. Stay up to date on the latest news in your industry

It is imperative that you understand the key issues and latest advancements in your field today. Read books and articles or listen to podcasts that can keep you informed about what’s going on in your industry. Doing research on Google can help you stay abreast of the latest news, but you can also reach out to colleagues and ask them what they’re reading or listening to. 

You can also take continuing education courses to brush up on industry knowledge. Whenever possible, demonstrate this knowledge during your interview. This shows you are still willing and able to learn, a quality that is key for older applicants.

6. Prepare for the interview

Interviewers might allude to a candidate’s age by commenting that the person is “overqualified” or that their salary requirements are too high. Having a response prepared for these comments is crucial to deter an employer from screening you out based on your age. If an employer says you’re overqualified, you might respond by saying, “I don’t see myself as overqualified. I think my expertise will add value to the company.”

For the question of salary, remember that you should never discuss compensation before you’ve received a job offer. If the interviewer expresses concerns that you might be too expensive, tell them you prefer to focus on why you’re a good fit for the role. If they ask how much you were making at your last company, you can say that out of respect to your previous employer you prefer not to share that information. Remember: Land the role first, then focus on salary negotiation.

You can also be proactive by explaining what about the role or company you find interesting or how your specific skills and experience are great fits for the role. Additionally, you can ask the interviewer what problems the company is facing and offer solutions based on your past experience. This is a great way to demonstrate that your age and experience are assets to a potential employer.

You’ll also want to demonstrate that you aren’t too set in your ways and that you can learn new things. Think of examples of recent skills you’ve developed or new ideas you’ve adopted, and have these prepared for your interview.

Learn more: 15 Interview Questions You Should Be Prepared To Answer

7. Demonstrate you’re a team player

A great way for a job seeker over 50 to turn their experience into an asset is to show they can contribute to the team by mentoring younger colleagues. Show the hiring manager you’re generous with the wisdom you’ve gleaned from years of experience and that you’re willing to teach others and share what you’ve learned. 

8. Consider part-time or temporary jobs

Even if you’re looking for a full-time job, you might want to consider taking a part-time, temporary, or project-based job in the meantime. This can help you build your skills and boost your confidence, both of which can help you land that full-time job.

9. Stay positive, and don’t give up

Persistence pays off. You’ll likely need to apply to lots of jobs before you get an interview, and you might need to interview with several companies before you get an offer. Don’t lose your momentum by taking long periods off from your job hunt when you get discouraged. 

When you’re talking to employers, don’t complain about the job search or express bitterness about not having found a job. You’ll want to show employers you’re optimistic and confident that you’ll bring value to their company, and having an upbeat attitude is key.

Finding a job over 50 might not be easy, but if you have the right mindset, focus on your expertise, demonstrate your willingness to learn, and follow the steps above, you’ll be on the right track to landing a position. Read more for tips to stay motivated during your job search.