Aditi Chaturvedi

To navigate age-related challenges in your job search, focus on the value your extensive experience brings. Instead of seeing age as a deterrent, emphasize how your knowledge and maturity have helped you handle office situations effectively. Share stories where your patience and understanding of the professional world led to successful outcomes. These narratives will demonstrate your unique strengths and the benefits of your experience, maintaining your motivation and confidence while highlighting your exceptional value to potential employers.

To stand out in a competitive job market, tailoring your resume is crucial. Ensure the basics—fonts, formatting, and the STAR format—are spot on. This gets your resume through initial screenings. But to truly differentiate yourself, highlight your unique value. Did you conduct user research in a remote village for two months? Secure funding after persistent efforts with an investor? Lead your company’s largest launch? Or do you have multiple exits as a founder as a part of your career? These stories make you memorable. Present your achievements not just as tasks, but as impactful narratives that showcase your distinctive contributions. Focus on what makes you unique and let your stories shine through your projects.

In the modern job market, leveraging apps can significantly enhance your job search strategy. For interview preparation, AI can be your personal interviewer. Use AI tools to prompt questions and then dictate or type your responses. Ask the AI to evaluate and provide feedback on your answers, revising them as needed. You can even have it read your answers aloud to understand how they sound. This approach helps you refine your responses and gain confidence. I've developed a GPT model specifically designed to assist with this process, helping many candidates improve their interview skills and land their desired roles.

Look for testimonials from people who have benefitted from their recommendations and see if there's a consistent theme in their success stories. Assess the consistency and frequency of their social media posts. Are they steady in their advice or do they frequently change topics? Ignore follower counts and focus on the substance of their content. Consistency and proven results should be your guiding criteria. By analyzing these factors, you can make an informed decision about which advisor's strategies are most reliable and applicable to your career needs.

When evaluating remote opportunities, it's crucial to understand the company's stance on remote work. Determine if they are remote-friendly, remote-first, or if remote work is limited to certain roles. Companies with limited remote roles often treat these positions as secondary, leading to disparities in growth, promotions, salaries, and benefits. Remote roles in such organizations may be paid less than their in-office counterparts for the same work. Check with your references on how this might impact your future growth. Ensure the overall package—compensation, work, flexibility, and growth potential—aligns with your life goals. Don't hesitate to ask the recruiter about the nature of remote roles, how the organization supports remote work

If a potential employer requests references before an interview, it's a sign they value their time and yours. In this scenario, ensure your references are not only willing to support your application but can also speak comprehensively about your work and impact. Select your strongest references and give them a heads-up about the potential call. This preparation will ensure they are ready to provide detailed and positive insights about your professional abilities, enhancing your chances of progressing in the hiring process.