Tuesday 1 November 2011

Look young – a job-hunt style alteration

This piece comes from experience. The world knows that armed forces personnel retire relatively young. After donning an army officer’s uniform for thirty three years, I had little problem in settling down with a new career and at a new job. On the other hand, quite a few of my comrades-at-arms had to suffer relative delay in getting a suitable placement. Like me, they too were not looking for money, but simply a gainful employment.
Initial and early impacts always have a bearing. This is specifically relevant when the job market is plagued with ardently severe contests and struggles. It is your attitude, disposition and expression together with deportment that could be going in your favour. On the contrary, it could even be preventing you from getting an interview call-letter or a job offer.
It is quite justifiable to feel agitated if your job hunt is not bearing fruit. And if it is because you look more than your age, it is high time to alter your job-style hunt. How do you do that? A simple three-step effort will be of great help.
Pep up your resume
Being conservative may be trendy in the world of fashion design and ramp shows. But the same does not hold good for your curriculum vitae. An apparently old-fashioned resume portrays an image redolent of antiquity.
 If employers show bias against age, it is not related to the number of years that you have lived on this planet. In actuality, it pertains to issues that are mistakenly presupposed to acquiesce with being elderly. These issues are not being in contact with modern developments, an absence of a technological perception and relatively reduced physical and mental robustness.     
A resume affords an opportunity to preclude any of the above impressions from shaping up. How can you do this? Here are some guidelines:
·   There is no requirement to elucidate occurrences or aspects that are more than ten years old.
·   Links to social networking websites like Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter should be incorporated.
·   Information about sports-related leisure pursuits should be included.
·   Do not mention dates of initial academic qualifications. 
·   Draft your resume in consonance with latest formats, layouts and designs.
A resume need not include each and every thing that you have done. But what requires to be rendered definitely is the verity that you are yet to reach the zenith of your career. That you have made continual efforts to upgrade your skills is an important aspect that needs to be highlighted. The foregoing can be done by listing various certification programmes that you attended or are currently attending. In addition, details of voluntary work and membership of professional groups should be brought to light.
The key lies in making certain that one is always in conformity with prevalent times. More importantly, the other person should not form an impression to the contrary. It is recommended that the resume emphasize possession of various criterion and prerequisites that are pertinent to the job being applied for. There is no point in underscoring experiences that are from the erstwhile years because they would have lost relevance in the current times.     
Be tech-savvy
If you intend sending your resume through Indiapost or even any of the several courier services, chances are that you may never get a phone call. Your job-hunt will stand extended indefinitely. Older individuals ought to comprehend that job-hunt procedures have changed. Your resume should always be ready to be sent in an email format.
Recruiters and HR staff make use of online job portals like Timesjobs or Naukri.com and various social networking sites to talent spot and shortlist candidates. In the light of the foregoing, job seekers need to establish a potent online presence. And that also includes being on social networking sites, which also enables remaining connected with many likeminded people. For example, if you happen to be a prolific writer, you may start a blog or author pieces concerning your proficiency. The same holds true for people interested in music, outdoor or adventure activities and social service, etc. Therefore, being well-versed with the use of internet needs no emphasis.
Use of modern job-hunt techniques help you get spotted. In the bargain, they get to acknowledge that you are in the swing with newest expertise and implements. 
Improve your appearance
The D Day has finally come and you are all set to proceed for the so-called interview. But, hold on! It is also time for flair and style checks. It is best to stand in front of a mirror and see yourself. What is your image suggesting?
You may be in your forties or fifties. You may be a person who has retired. There is absolutely nothing wrong with showing off your age. But that age has to be portrayed with dignity so that your experience too is automatically revealed. Older people can also make and adopt a style that is modern. Your clothes ought to be suitable for your age, well-fitting and elegant as distinct from classy or chic. They should compliment your body shape and persona alike.
Other aspects that need to be looked into are hairstyle, accessories being worn and footwear, to name just a few. All of them should be in harmony with your overall self and the post that you are aspiring for.
But the eventual assurance and confidence enhancer is concentrating on physical fitness. When you step inside the interview hall or room, the level of endorphins in you are attributable to your fitness. If you are robust, they would be high and high endorphins radiate a typical liveliness and dynamism that people want to log on to. Physical robustness also stimulates mental perspicacity and in the process multiplies the probability of a triumphant performance at the interview.
Never ever lose sight of the fact that employers always attach importance to your knowledge, skills and understanding. The crucial issue is to get shortlisted and be called for interviews so that you have opportunities to excel. It is your revised appearance and career selling tools that will facilitate it for sure.

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