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50 plus: Job Applications by Older Job Hunters

Definition, Explanation

Tips, Checklist

Definition, Explanation

In times of lacking jobs, the application for a job is a challenge for everyone. This goes for the co-called older people to a great extent – in spite of statutory bans on discrimination (The General Equal Treatment Act). Anyone belonging to the group of 50+ - yet in some industries even 10-15 years earlier – and appears on the job market, has to fight against prejudices: like he is too used up, burnt-out, too inflexible or especially prone to illnesses and therefore rather a burden for the company than a win.

Different to the likes of the Scandinavian countries, Great Britain or Switzerland, where the quota of employed older people is more than 70%, Germany only manages to reach 50%. When considering the much lower quotas of the past years, this still has to be registered as an immense advance. Demographic change, lack of skilled employees, a later pensionable age and a slowly changing consciousness about the values of older employees among some of those responsible for employing persons, have induced this positive change. There are already companies that target at employees over 55 with campaigns and others that even go and get back their former employees out of retirement.

Despite these absolutely delightful facts, there is no reason for the all-clear. There are still so many companies that no longer employ anyone over 50 and refuse to employ such a person. Realistically speaking, an older applicant in comparison with a younger competitor has a much tougher ride overall.

The only chance to see oneself through this competition lies in the adapting of one's personal marketing strategy to that – supposed – shortcoming called age. The key to a new job in the second half of life comprises a well thought out and consequent application strategy that is targeted at available and specific strengths.

And usually they are quite a few. Surveys have shown that many employers accredit older employees a number of advantages, like: professional experience, insight into human nature, social skills, reliability, punctuality, discipline, loyalty and the ability to think and follow in business-like way. Emphasis should be put on these aspects in an application. Yet: in spite of emphasizing and generally estimating these so-called soft skills, one more thing is absolutely indispensable, namely the job-specific, technical qualification. Nothing can replace that. And this is where, despite their job experience, the problem of many older job hunters lies; due to neglected further education in the past, they are often not up-to-date when it comes to professional development.

Tips, Checklist

• Get information on the current styles and methods of application like the different forms of online applications. Applications are designed in a different way in comparison to years ago. By the form of your application, you can prove that you haven't missed the boat.
  There is a lot of literature on this topic around, nowadays. If necessary, attend an application-training course as offered by many institutions. The Federal Employment Agency can cover the costs. Contact your contact there
• Visit specialized trade fairs and congresses. There you can establish first contacts with possible employers
• Make use of your social networks in so far available and nurture them in good time. Among these are possible contacts from previous jobs, associations, etc. Wherever possible, tell friends, relatives, and acquaintances that you are looking for a job. Approximately every second job is occupied via "networking".
• Attend further training courses on a regular basis. He who is up-to-date when it comes to knowledge, has much better chances on the job market
• Emphasize your special strengths in your application and not your weaknesses. Emphasize that you are the right person for the job because of your age and nod despite it. Do not appear as a "beggar"
• Draw up your own competence profile. Make it obvious where your strengths and weaknesses are
• Do not ignore the opportunity for a come-back through a temporary employment agency. In this way, the employer has the opportunity to get to know you without taking a risk. As well as that: every fifth person employed in this way is over 45
• Especially for older employees, it is recommended: phone the company before writing an application. This applies even more, the smaller the company is. Many a contract of employment has come to being in this way
• Do not only apply for concrete jobs offered but also unsolicited. In doing so, you are not one of hundreds, who are probably all younger than you
• Emphasize your social skills. You can point out in your CV, if you are especially committed to certain fields: maybe you are member of a nature reservation or homeland association, trainer at the Red Cross or youth trainer in a sports club
• Do not insist on age-related privileges. Be ready to lower your sights, where the salary is involved
• Look for companies that specifically focus on older employees
• Make use of job markets on the internet, especially those who only concentrate on older job hunters
• Make the most of advice and support from eth "outside" like the "Perspective 50plus" by the Federal Ministry of Employment. With the help of this initiative, projects are promoted, for example, which specifically place older unemployed persons on the job market. Talk to the Federal Employment Agency about this matter. These may make it possible to grant considerable financial integration aids like taking over the costs of wages for a certain amount of time.
• Make the employer aware of this in your application.
• Make use of your time when unemployed for further training
• To that effect, also check whether going self-employed may be an alternative for you. Talk to others about it, who you know well. How do they see the matter? Do they think you are capable of it?
• Last but not least – as stupid as it may sound, it is important: Never give up!! Never lose courage! After application 100, comes application no. 101. Even young and well-trained applicants have to write hundreds of applications, in order to reach the goal

Last update: 01/09/2010