How to find a job: Suggestions for students/alumni over 40 (part 2)

Using your skills:
So, you have all this experience and you’ve built up skills that are worth something.  Think about becoming a consultant—sharing your skills for a fee.  Businesses and individuals are often willing to hire someone for a specific project, even if they don’t want to take on a permanent employee.  Being a consultant keeps you in the marketplace, and it can be another avenue to a fulltime job.  You may even decide that you like the independence of being your own boss!
 

Thinking outside the box:
There’s work out there; it just may not be exactly the sort of job you’d envisioned.  Open your mind.  Talk with younger folks, even your children.  What about online work?  More and more people are working from home, using their computers and their telephones to stay connected with the office, which may be completely outside their geographic area.

You might also do “temp work.”  Often, temporary jobs lead to more permanent positions as the company realizes your value.

And, believe it or not, more and more workers over 40 are accepting internships, even though they may get minimal pay or no pay at all.  Internships are another way to get your foot in the door, to make yourself and your value known to the employer, while further developing your skills.

Resume update:
Have you polished up your resume lately?  If not, be aware that the “rules” for resume writing are constantly changing, and yours may be out of date.  

For one thing, more and more employers prefer that resumes be delivered electronically, rather than on paper.  Some companies even require that you fill out an online application, rather than or in addition to a formal resume.

Our website, www.ulm.edu/careerconnections, includes sample resumes and application letters (under “tips and resources”), as well as advice on writing these documents.   The samples are in Word, so you can even use them like templates, substituting in your own information.  One tip for older workers:  if your experience spans many years and/or many jobs, you might consider using the “functional” resume format rather than the traditional format.  In the functional resume, you’re able to focus on relevant skills and accomplishments rather than specific jobs.

And we’re happy to help.  Call us at 318-342-5338 to schedule an appointment to work on updating your resume, improving your interview skills, and searching for a job.  Our services are available to ULM alumni as well as students.