If you are unemployed or even thinking about changing careers after the age of 40, know that it is possible to re-enter the job market.
To achieve this, you must think about the role you want to play, update your resume and knowledge, as well as build your networking and participate in selection processes. In this article, you will find tips on how to get back into the job market and prepare for the job interview that can help you in this process.
Yes, it is possible, because even though the market is looking for younger people to work in vacancies in different sectors, older professionals are increasingly valued. The areas that most hired professionals with this profile are:
education;
health;
steelworks;
industry in general;
logistics;
services;
telecommunications;
information Technology;
retail;
consumer goods.
However, outplacement may seem more difficult due to the number of positions for experienced professionals being scarcer than positions for beginners. In addition, many companies believe that more experienced professionals are overqualified for open positions, as they may demand higher salaries than they can afford. Therefore, in order to avoid cases like this, it is up to you to think of some strategies that can help you to reenter the job market. This is exactly what we will show in the next topic.
To reenter the job market after age 40, you need to assess how you want to build your career. That is if you prefer to continue working in the same area you've worked in recent years or want to go for something new. That way you will have to follow and you will be better prepared to participate in the selection processes. With that reflection in mind, check out 10 tips that can help you.
The first thing you should do to know which step to take in your career after 40 is to think about what you like to do. Understand which activities you really have skills and which ones you want to improve and use them to reposition yourself in the job market. Think about which activity leaves you fulfilled, that is, what you see yourself working on in the long term. For example, if you like taking and editing photos, it might be a way to seek more knowledge about the profession of photography. It is also interesting to research the labor market demand and see which professions are most popular. That way you can choose the one that most identifies with you and thus increase your chances of re-entering the market.
When we are unemployed or finding ourselves professionally again, we can feel alone, as if other employed people were at a different pace. However, you need to cultivate your relationships and exchange experiences with trusted people. That way you can hear interesting reports that can help you in this endeavor, as well as course tips and even job opportunities. In addition, you can count on a support network and create new bonds that will help you go through this phase more smoothly.
In addition to relating to trusted people, you should also update your networking. Go back to chatting with your school or college contacts, or even your old jobs. That way, you can inform them about your interest in relocating to the job market and you can receive tips and even be recommended for new opportunities.
Another tip for getting back into the job market after the age of 40 is to search for companies that match your professional profile. Look for organizations that have values similar to yours and see if their organizational climate matches your style. In this way, you will be able to seek job opportunities in these companies and re-enter the job market more successfully.
Another tip is to make a completely new resume, as you must take into account the vacancies you are looking for. So instead of adding all the professional experiences you've had, you'll be able to choose only the most relevant ones for the function in question. In addition, you should also consider the courses you've already taken and which ones are most in line with the jobs you're looking for, and you should also include them in your resume. Also add information about your skills that you consider to match the vacancy, in addition to creating an inspiring professional objective that catches the recruiter's attention.
The learning process should never stop, and when you are migrating from an area or updating yourself, it is even more important to seek knowledge. Therefore, research courses and knowledge that is interesting to acquire and are part of the area you want to work in. Something you should update yourself with is software, so research the ones that will be the most part of your work routine. With the exception of technological areas, generally, the most used programs on the market belong to the Office Package (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint) or are related to organization and work demands such as Trello. Also, see what changes have occurred in the profession you want to follow and look for updated courses. However, be careful with the course you are going to purchase, research a lot before buying or enrolling in one, choosing one that will really add to your curriculum.
The job market has been changing in current times, requiring professionals to adapt to changes. Among the changes are:
flexible working hours;
remote work;
possibility of working in companies located in other cities, states and even countries;
new forms of organization and salary.
In addition to applying to companies, you can also consider other forms of work such as being an entrepreneur, for example, or even pursuing a self-employed career. A good example is a marketing professional who worked for years in specialized companies and decides to give his career a new direction, opening his own agency. Another possibility is if you have extensive experience in your field, you can provide advice to people and companies. Both in the case of entrepreneurs and consultants, they should invest in their personal marketing and show their skills to the market. You can do this by publishing articles or even cultivating your network.
If you have already chosen the career you want to follow and are thinking about participating in the selection processes, check out some tips that can help you prepare.
The cover letter is an item requested by some companies during the recruitment and selection process. It is important to elaborate assertively to get the attention of the recruiter. That's why you should talk about your experience, knowledge and main skills. In addition, it is good to show that you are a professional who is aware of changes in the market and who can benefit the company and who intends to grow professionally.
Before the interview, you should prepare by researching the company's website and learning about its history, values, mission, services and products it offers, as well as its culture. Also, stay on top of the news that came out about her and update yourself on her field of activity. That way you can make a good impression at the interview.
You should also research the activities that are part of the role you are applying for. As well as the typical profile of professionals working in the area and also what knowledge should be developed.
Currently, companies are taking into account the profile on social networks of the professionals who apply. They analyze the posts they make and their way of commenting and interacting. That's why it's good to be careful with how you express yourself. So posting only about your personal life can lead the company to think that you are not interested in your professional life. Talking badly about co-workers and managers is also frowned upon, in addition to complaining about everything, getting involved in controversial issues, posting photos showing the body or in underwear, and making offensive comments. Therefore, you must have a positive attitude and show a good image of yourself on social media.
During the job interview, you must make it clear that you are a person who is able to adapt to changes. What in fact must have happened in your professional career? But making it explicit will show that you are a professional who will accept changes well when you need to learn something new or use new technologies.
In fact, in the CV or in the registration for any vacancy, you will put your date of birth, and this way your age will be explicit to the company. However, you shouldn't talk about it during the interview unless the recruiter asks. Because talking about your age constantly can harm you. So try to talk about your most recent experiences and the jobs that are most relevant to the role in question.
