NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Business / Economy / Employment

Job searching tips for over-50s

Washington Post
13 Jun, 2014 03:29 AM4 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Photo / Thinkstock

Photo / Thinkstock

Career Coach Joyce E.A. Russell's top 10 career tips for the over-50 job seekers.

There are about 77 million baby boomers (born between 1946-1963) in the United States, and some estimate that 42 per cent are delaying retirement and 25 per cent say they'll never retire.

The challenge is that for those over the age of 50, it takes 20 per cent longer to get hired than a similarly trained 41- to 45-year-old.

Recently, I served as the keynote speaker for a career expo for an "Over 50" group of job seekers sponsored by the Jewish Council for the Aging, Fairfax County, Virginia, and The Washington Post's Capital Business weekly. More than 1,000 attended, including numerous employers, and it offered many informational sessions. I delivered my top 10 career tips for the over-50 job seekers:

1. Network
One of the best ways to get a job is by a recommendation from someone you know. You should be networking with people who can provide you with referrals - friends, family, mentors, past colleagues, people at companies you are targeting, etc.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

It is critical to always carry business cards with you. Use these events to brand yourself. Practice introducing yourself in less than 30 seconds: Give your "elevator pitch" (eye contact, smile, firm handshake), and be sure to share something unique to stand out.

2. Prepare for the process
The job application process is not the same as it was in the past. You could be asked to complete various assessments, be part of multiple interviews, be asked to give presentations, among other hurdles. Take the time to find out what you might encounter.

3. Update your resume
Focus on highlighting the past 10-15 years of skills and jobs rather than your entire 30+ years of experiences. Employers want to know whether you can do the job now, not what you did over your entire lifetime. If possible, fill in gaps in your resume with activities such as volunteer work, classes, certifications, starting a business, etc.

List all technology credentials, including recent training and certifications. Try to leave off age identifying information (dates you went to college; older skills, such as obsolete programming languages). Be sure you have your resume information on LinkedIn and other career-oriented websites.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Read also:
• Options older worker's best friend
• Young workers 'high risk' of jumping ship - survey

4. Prepare for the interview
This is where you connect with the employer, sell yourself and show that you have the energy, passion and excitement necessary to do the job. You have to show that you'll fit in, so be sure to think carefully about how you want to be perceived.

Consider a makeover. Updating your look can help in your job search. Focus on the employer - build the case on how much you want to work for the particular firm. Talk about your plans to grow and develop a career within the company with an idea that you will contribute for many years.

5. Be ready to talk about your team skills
In a subtle way, give examples of your work experiences that highlight how you have worked with diverse individuals (across race, generations, ethnicity, gender, personality, functional expertise, etc.). Explain how you can serve as a leader and a team member. Show that you are comfortable with mentoring others and willing to learn from others.

Discover more

Opinion

Dealing with bad co-workers

04 Apr 01:35 AM
Opinion

How to build trust at work

17 Apr 09:00 PM
Employment

Q&A: Best workplace manners

24 Apr 06:20 AM
Employment

Tips for rising women leaders

08 May 01:48 AM

6. Use your age as an asset
Reframe the discussion - rather than focusing on your past achievements, talk about your goals and why your experiences can benefit the company.

7. Retool your skills
Show you are tech-savvy (via email, texting, social media). Show how you are a continual learner by the certificates, online classes and other types of education you have completed to enhance your skills.

8. Practice negotiating
Be able to highlight how you use a collaborative style with diverse audiences. Use negotiation tactics in the job search (preparation is the most important element in your success; delay talking about compensation until after your receive a written offer: think about your target not your resistance point; use silence strategically; think about their interests along with yours; have an alternative; listen and ask questions).

9. Seek help
Develop a support group (mentors, peers, younger people). Colleges frequently extend career services to alumni. Many libraries offer job search classes, clubs and other programs .

10. Be positive, persistent
Don't sell yourself short. Make sure everything you do speaks to your accomplishments and the value you can contribute.

Russell is the vice dean and the director of the Executive Coaching and Leadership Development Program at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business. She is a licensed industrial and organisational psychologist and has more than 25 years of experience coaching executives and consulting on leadership and career management.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Save

    Share this article

Latest from Employment

Premium
Technology

Video game sector jobs up 20.5% with tax rebate, but half of funds unclaimed

09 Jul 05:00 PM
Employment

'Unrelenting': Unions tell Supreme Court Uber imposes 'intensive' control over drivers

09 Jul 04:53 AM
Employment

Uber grilled in Supreme Court on the status of its drivers

08 Jul 03:23 AM

From early mornings to easy living

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Employment

Premium
Video game sector jobs up 20.5% with tax rebate, but half of funds unclaimed

Video game sector jobs up 20.5% with tax rebate, but half of funds unclaimed

09 Jul 05:00 PM

Money left on the table for a second year as MBIE readies review.

'Unrelenting': Unions tell Supreme Court Uber imposes 'intensive' control over drivers

'Unrelenting': Unions tell Supreme Court Uber imposes 'intensive' control over drivers

09 Jul 04:53 AM
Uber grilled in Supreme Court on the status of its drivers

Uber grilled in Supreme Court on the status of its drivers

08 Jul 03:23 AM
Premium
18,800 people booked for NZICC; anaesthetists, ophthalmologists the latest

18,800 people booked for NZICC; anaesthetists, ophthalmologists the latest

03 Jul 10:39 PM
Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky
sponsored

Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP