6 tips for landing a job

Finding a job when you are older than 50 is no picnic. Here are six tips to make the hunt easier from Kerry Hannon, who wrote “Great Jobs for Everyone 50+: Finding Work That Keeps You Happy and Healthy … and Pays the Bills.“

Polish your LinkedIn.com presence. “Paper resumes don’t have the punch that LinkedIn.com does,” Hannon says. Read other LinkedIn.com resumes for tips. Make sure yours includes a great photo that makes you appear energetic — potential employers worry that you won’t have enough stamina to do the job, she says.

Make your resume relevant. “People are going to read your resume in 20 seconds, so make sure that it is no more than two pages and tells a story,” Hannon advises. Don’t just say you worked in sales. Tell potential employers that you grew sales by 15 percent or delivered a project three months ahead of schedule. It’s also vital to proofread. Read your resume out loud in search of gaffes, then ask someone else to read it, too.

Don’t be afraid to look needy. Tell everyone you know or meet that you are job hunting. Be sure to post on your Facebook.com account and don’t neglect those who appear to be unlikely resources. Hannon has a friend who is 60 and who found a job because his teenage son had a friend over to visit. The friend said, “You should call my mom.” Hannon’s friend did, and as a result, landed a new position.

Bring your A Game to the interview. First and foremost, when you interview with the 20-something human resources person, don’t come off as condescending. Practice talking to someone who is younger than you. Tape yourself and see what you sound like.

Don’t look old and fat. Spruce up your appearance. No matter what your weight or how many wrinkles you have, appear vibrant.

Look for opportunities where age is a plus. Ride the age wave. There are increasing numbers of jobs for people in their 50s and 60s that cater to customers in their 70s and 80s. You are a perfect candidate.