Mid-Career Job Search: HR Guy
Dear HR Guy,
Here's my problem: I'm a mid-career IT professional who was recently laid off. I haven't been on the job hunt for a couple of decades, and I was prepared for a difficult time. But the market is worse than I expected - not only are there fewer jobs than seemingly ever before, but I'm constantly getting doors closed on me because, I can only figure, I'm too old for recruiters' tastes. Is this just me, or is there rampant ageism in the market right now? And regardless, how can I make myself a more attractive candidate?
Thanks,
Almost an Oldster
Dear Almost an Oldster,
To answer your first question, yes and no. Right now the job market is a lot like the stock market: highly volatile. Companies are hiring, but they are trying to keep their personnel costs down by hiring younger employees on the hopes that they can train them in-house; meanwhile, they are cutting mid-level, non-executive management employees who command higher salaries. On the other hand, this situation can only last so long - soon enough employers will need to bring in experienced hires to manage the newbies. It's cyclical, and you're simply caught out at a particularly acute point in the process. So keep your hopes up: Things will likely turn around soon.
Of course, "soon" is a relative term, and you need work now. So to address your second question: The first thing to do is to apply for positions that demand your level and type of experience. You might be tempted to apply to jobs beneath your level in the hopes of wowing employers, but they'll likely see you as a liability - someone who will demand more money and benefits, buck management directions and quickly become bored with your assignments. Second, find ways to emphasize the advantages that your work experience would bring to the firm. Make the hard sell; don't be afraid to take an aggressive stance in your interviews. And remember that you don't have to list everything you've ever done on your resume: A three- or four-page CV filled with accomplishments that add nothing to your attractiveness as a candidate for that specific position will turn off interviewers - they'll see your fluency in French and you cooking-school certificates as mindless bloviating. Be sure that you can explain everything on your resume as an asset to the company.
Most importantly, though, don't get discouraged. It's hard, but the market will turn around, and the worst thing for you to do in interviews is to appear dejected or desperate.
Good luck,
HR Guy
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