Looking for a job can be a difficult process. This is especially true if you haven’t looked in a few years. In fact, if you’re been working at your company since 2002, your job there is officially older than LinkedIn.
And as you’ll see, the job search process has completely changed since then.
If you’re like most people, there is something you fear the most when it comes to looking for a job. You might be afraid employers will think you’re too old or don’t have enough education.
I see this pattern in job seekers every day. They begin to apply for jobs and don’t get interviews, then they try to make sense of it. “The hiring manager saw my resume and had no interest in me because I’m just too old,” they imagine. These stories allow us to understand why we aren’t hearing back.
But what if those stories are simply fears? What if they aren’t the truth? Don’t get me wrong, age can be a factor in hiring. But, it’s very possibly not the first issue.
So if it’s not your age, then why aren’t you getting any interviews?
Sites like LinkedIn have made it incredibly easy to apply for jobs online. Companies also want you to apply on their websites. Because of this, the volume of job applicants is much higher than it would have been 20 years ago. These days, it’s not uncommon for a job to receive hundreds of applications for one job posting.
Then, your application must go through a computerized process to be selected. So, if you’re applying through the internet only, the chances that anyone ever sees your resume are low. The issue might not be your age. It very well may be that the hiring manager doesn’t know that you exist.
What can you do? If you want to be cautious, start by applying online. Then, keep going. Look to see if you know anyone at the company. If so, reach out and ask if they will give you a referral for the job. They might even receive a referral bonus if you’re hired. So, they likely won’t mind helping out.
Then brush up on your research skills. Try to find the hiring manager on LinkedIn. In other words, if you are looking for a role in IT, you might report to the CTO. Or, you might report to a vice president of technology. If you can locate that person on LinkedIn, you can send them a message via LinkedIn.
Or, you can try sending them an email. If you do send a message, use a cover letter for the body of the email. And, attach your resume.
By following these steps, you greatly increase your likelihood of landing an interview. And, you may just find out that you aren’t too old after all.
Angela Copeland, a leadership and career expert, can be reached at www.angelacopeland.com.