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If you haven't searched for a job in a while, then you might be surprised to discover that the process is quite different from what it used to be. Newspaper ads for openings have been replaced with online listings, and a computer is more likely to conduct the initial scan of your resume than a human being. Here is a roundup of how job hunting has changed over the last two decades.
Then
Now
Newspaper ads were the main source of job listings.
Millions of job postings show up online every day.
Online job boards can be a great resource when you’re job hunting.
Check out the AARP Job Board and match your years of experience with employers who are committed to a multigenerational workforce.
Resumes were presented on paper and delivered by mail or in-person.
Electronic applications — emailing resumes or submitting forms online — have become the norm.
In addition to creating the paper version of your resume, pull together an electronic document that you can send via email and that can be copied and pasted without any odd formatting issues.
An actual human being read your resume.
Your resume may get scanned electronically for keywords. Including the right keywords helps your resume get noticed.
Tailor your resume to each job you pursue, to include keywords and phrases used in the job listing.
Many recruiters will be younger than you. Know how to answer questions about working with younger colleagues and bosses.
Even if you have years of experience, adapting yourself to the new realities of job hunting is crucial. Take a look at this video
“Creating an Elevator Pitch” for tips on how you can summarize your personal brand in the time it takes you to ride an elevator.
If you applied for a job, you generally received a response.
One resume was all you needed, listing all of your past jobs.
Develop multiple resumes based on different positions you're pursuing.
Due to the large volume of job applications, many employers won't acknowledge receiving your resume.
Don't take it personally. Keep
networking to expand your contacts and job leads.
Tailor your resume to each job you pursue, using keywords and phrases that echo the experience the job listing requests.
Networks, though always important, used to be much smaller since they were formed primarily in person.
A successful job search today includes robust networking, online as well as in-person.
Sign up for a
LinkedIn account and reconnect with former colleagues and friends. You'll be surprised how far-reaching your network can become. Also take advantage of network building through
Facebook and
Twitter.
Take a look at these helpful resources about Keywords, LinkedIn and Indeed. Visit the
Learn@50+ Work and Jobs site for more information the job search.
Not quite, try again!
Yes! keywords are industry-specific terms used by employers to describe the key responsibilities of a position. Using keywords helps your resume to get noticed and not discarded.
Not quite, try again!
Not quite, try again!
Great! Tailoring your resume is a good practice when it comes to getting your resume noticed by employers.
Always tailor your resume for each job you are applying for. It is now very common for employers to scan or search resumes for job-specific keywords.
HOW THE JOB SEARCH HAS CHANGED
