Change your job search strategy to deal with age bias; how to search jobs aligned with age

No Country for Old Men—the title of this Coen Brothers’ Hollywood thriller, could well have been the headline for the current job market, both in India and abroad, where age and experience hang like millstones around the necks of job seekers. Employers and hiring managers alike seem to be dealing with reduced budgets and a mindset that isn’t willing to pay for experience in a digitally-led, constantly evolving business environment. Meanwhile, for better or worse, there are tons of younger job seekers competing for fewer jobs than before, and willing to work longer hours for a lower title and salary. How can you optimise your job strategy based on the challenges for your age bracket?

Early career (20s - early 30s)
Whether you are Gen Z or late Gen Y, you are not likely to be worried about age, but about fewer opportunities and constant redundancy of the learning you had invested in. For the first decade after college, your two-pronged strategy should be to develop skills and build relationships. This will be the foundation for the rest of your career. In college, utilise the university’s career and placement resources, starting with resume reviews, interview and case study preparation and, finally, campus internships and placement drives.

After college, continue to invest in education and certification through platforms like Coursera and Udemy, while you seek real-world practical skills through projects and opportunities that cross your path. Apart from hard skills, be focused on soft skills of communication, team work, problem-solving and leadership. Campusoriented student clubs, community-led projects, outsized responsibilities in earlystage startups, and volunteer activities are great opportunities to develop critical jobworthy people skills. Alongside skills, build professional relationships for the long term. Your colleagues on campus and at work, clients and vendors you meet, and professionals in organisations you participate in, are the relationships you should invest in and nurture. Finally, your job search strategy should involve getting noticed and invited for interviews. After campus, seek opportunities through job fairs, online applications through job boards, and internships that impart valuable experiences and can convert into full-time roles. Connect with alumni and attend professional events to generate potential job leads and interview invitations.

Mid-career (30s - 50s)
If the first decade was a time to learn, now is the time to earn. In the next two decades, you will carry specialised work skills and significant experience to back it up. Learn to sell your accomplishments and benefits you have delivered to your past employers. Discuss the numbers to highlight value and demonstrate evidence to back your stories. Start your job search by digging one level beyond the role being offered. Seek out deep career advancement opportunities and ask what the next step will be if you are successful in the new opportunity. Look for roles that align with your long-term career goals while they utilise and reward your current expertise. The best roles for you are unlikely to be found online.

Leverage your ever-growing professional network of former colleagues, mentors and industry contacts to get references and meetings with decision-makers. Some of these meetings will convert into job leads. The best jobs are also in your current organisation. There is low risk and immense career value in rapidly climbing the ladder in the same organisation by leveraging continuity and loyalty.

Meanwhile, don’t pause on your journey of continued learning at this age. Stay abreast of industry trends and applied technologies in your domain. Attend conferences, participate in webinars and subscribe to industry publications to stay on top of your game. Selectively seek out advanced certifications that can boost your career prospects. Always keep your LinkedIn profile updated, stay in touch with executive recruiters who reach out to you from time to time, and be involved with industry bodies and conferences to strengthen relationships across your domain.

Late career (50s & beyond)
Now, your biggest and unbeatable assets are your extensive experience and reliability. Many early startups and young teams have learnt at a great cost that they need your wisdom to avoid their most expensive or fatal mistakes that stem from lack of experience. But first, start within your current organisation to seek out newer rewarding roles. Can you craft out a part-time role or consulting assignment or mentoring that enables you to deliver value? Where else can you deliver similar outcomes? Who in your vast network of former colleagues can vouch for your expertise and make the right introductions? Which of your past employers will be happy to re-engage with you? Know that most employers are comfortable with flexible work arrangements with experienced professionals, where there is a clear cost benefit equation possible.

Meanwhile, continue to stay updated with industry and technology practices so that your experience stays relevant. Take courses and attend workshops to stay current and connected to other professionals. Make sure you network with professionals across all age groups and demonstrate your adaptability to new ideas and people.

Restrict your resume to a single page in a modern format and dwell only on your most recent experiences relevant to the hiring manager. Continue to be active in industry groups and events that attract a diverse set of people. While there will be an age bias in the market, there will always be opportunities for leveraging either your experience, or wisdom, or relationships. So whether you are starting out, in mid-career, or later in life, the key is to adapt, continually develop your skills, and utilise your network effectively.

TIPS FOR ALL AGES
1.GO ONLINE
Use job boards like Naukri and Indeed to showcase your CV, search for jobs, and research on company reviews and salary details. Leverage LinkedIn to update your profile and connect with professionals in your domain, either directly or through industry groups. Utilise the ‘careers’ section of company websites to check for new vacancies.

2.CUSTOMISE RESUME
One size does not fit all. Tailor your CV and cover letter for each application. Pick skills and experiences related to that job description, and achievements that will interest the hiring manager. Know that companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes. So use right keywords from the job posting to improve your chances.

3.ACE THE INTERVIEW
Your work experience does not translate into a strong interview technique. Prepare for each interview using common questions and scenarios. Practise mock interviews with friends and mentors. Research the company’s business, financials, culture, mission and role. Ask questions, if given the opportunity, to demonstrate your efforts and interest.

4.USE EMPLOYER’S FRAME
Put yourself in the employer’s shoes. What is the hiring manager looking for in a successful candidate for the role? How can this person bring in more cash for the business of which they can pay a portion as salary? Will this person fit in and be easy to manage? Use this frame to prepare for the roles you seek.

5.STAY POSITIVE
The job search process is often lengthy, frustrating and unpredictable. The right attitude is to stay positive and persistent. Set up daily, weekly goals and tasks to remain organised. Track and follow up on each application to demonstrate your interest. Fill up your days with exercise, hobbies and family time to stay motivated.

THE WRITER IS FOUNDER & CEO, SALARYNEXT.COM, A JOB LOSS ASSURANCE COMPANY.