By Grace Du Prie Career Development & CounsellingServices
05/30/2011 Power Interview Tips for Older Workers
Older workers can often
sabotage their own job search and interview performance by making excuses or
drawing attention to their age. Learn some powerful tips to become a
successful interviewee – no matter what your age is.
Some don’ts: -
Mention
grandchildren.
Draw
attention to your age, make reference to your age or make excuses for your age,
i.e."well when you get to be my age..."
Age
yourself by your language.
Dress
too young or too conservative.
Don't
be negative – remain positive.
Don't
think old. Think experience instead.
Wear
a wig (For Males). If you are nearly bald consider having your head shaved
completely. It is trendy.
Don't
go without at least some lipstick and mascara (For Females). Even if you don't normally
wear make-up now is the time to add some colour to your face.
Colour
your hair too dark (men and women). If you feel you want to “touch up” your
hair ensure it is several shades lighter than your natural colour, and have it
done professionally. Make
sure your roots are not showing through. This also applies to women.
Don't
make assumptions that all females are secretaries or receptionists. Making this
assumption has lost many opportunities. The female you may meet or speak to
over the telephone may be the boss. "Dear Sir", has been a
mistake in written applications. If you are not sure about the gender of the
person reading the application letter start with: Dear Sir/Madam. Or better
yet: call the company and ask who is taking care of the vacancy. Then you will
not only know the gender but can also put a name down!
Don’t
think that you do not need to prepare for the interview. Practice and do it out
loud (preferably with a good friend) so you can hear you own mistakes.
Some
additional job interview tips.
There are many more tips,
some are very basic and yet they are still ignored.
Research the company before
you apply for a job. Research more before an interview. Keep complete records
of companies researched and the results of each interview.
Watch your personal hygiene.
If you go for two interviews take a deodorant. No, don't say this is
irrelevant. You may perspire in interview even if you normally wouldn't. You may produce a very distinct
"fear" odour.
Don’t be overbearing or
opinionated. This can happen when you are nervous. Smile while you remember
that the interviewer may also be nervous. J
Be ready to shake hands when
you come in – yes, women too. Remember, this is a business meeting. Put your
bag in your left hand so your right hand is free to shake hands. Have a firm
handshake, not like a wet fish or a bone cracking grip.
Personal Presentation
Hints
Here are some additional
power tips. It is worth a go to follow them.
Dress to the organisation or the company. There are two ways of looking at this and one
is the style of the organisation and the job. For instance:
Store person. – Not too formal.
Legal Secretary – Formal and conventional.
The other is to dress by workplace association. For example, if an organisation wears a blue uniform,
dress in blue. If you want to work in a hospital for example, dress in
white. Waiters should wear black trousers and white shirt if being
interviewed for a formal restaurant etc.
Females can add another
colour. Psychologically the interviewer may see you as fitting in the
organisation. However, never wear a completely black suit to an interview. It
is too powerful and some find black depressing. You can use navy or grey
instead.
Colours do make a difference
Sales people should wear (power)
sales colours, i.e. red tie. Women in sales should avoid pastels and also
dress in sales oriented colours such as red. Counsellors, for example, should
wear softer colours, i.e. blue or green.
If you feel as though you may
be overqualified for the position don’t wear strong power colours. Dark
colours are generally associated with respect and authority. Be
careful. In more recent years politicians have started to wear black. This
colour used to be reserved for "addressing the nation." Light
colours establish a person as likeable; however they may not be seen as having
the appropriate authority.
If an organisation has a
uniform and you have an outfit in the same colours then chose this over any
other interview outfit.
However, choose the colours that suit you best. The wrong colour clothing, make-up and hair will
make you look older, tired, jaundiced, pale and sickly, or perhaps you will go
unnoticed. Your correct colour pallet will give you a face lift, you will
better about yourself, and people will notice you. Older women sometimes tend
to go for the beige colours that make them invisible. If need be – get advice
and change to make a powerful and positive impression.
After the job interview
Bring a few questions with
you for the time when the interview comes to an end and you will be asked if
you have any questions. Make an impression by being prepared. Some sample
questions can be:
1.
What are the
prospects for promotion?
2.
Would you
describe a typical workday and the things I would be doing?
3.
What duties are
the most/least important this job?
4.
How would I be
trained or inducted in the job?
5.
What further
training is available?
6.
Who are the other
people I would be working with and what do they do?
7.
When will I know
about your decision?
Thank the interviewer for
his/her time. Make sure you have expressed and shown by your body language an
interest in the job. Ensure that you leave the interview with a firm date and
time when to ring (if appropriate). Don’t let the deadline pass. Contact
the employer. When you speak to the interviewer try and say something that
will jog the interviewer’s memory to remind him/her who you are.
Some employers have said to
me that none of the applicants rang back and they always took the applicant who
made the effort to follow up. It showed they were keen. Follow up with a
thank you letter. Your thank you letter should remind the interviewer that you
expect to hear from him/her on the date set by him/her. Write
and post it the same day.
Follow up
If you are not successful you
need to find out why. This is a step you may hate. However it can really be
useful and help you during a next interview. Be very friendly when you call and
ask for feedback. Remember that the interviewer may be concerned about legal
issues, so assure them that you really would like to know their opinion in
order to improve your performance.
Do your own self -
assessment. Prepare a list of questions about your performance. You
should then measure yourself against your own list. Then write a list of things
you will do better next time. Evaluate
your interview as soon as possible after it has occurred - while the questions
and your feelings about the interview are still fresh in your mind. Don’t be
too hard on yourself but be determined to learn from your mistakes and ensure
hat each interview will be batter than the last,
Stay Motivated
I have spoken with recruiters
who say that older applicants often lack energy. Most employers are looking for
commitment and enthusiasm. It is important to try and stay motivated
during your job search. A negative attitude shows, especially in your
body language.
GOOD LUCK!
Grace Du Prie Career Development & CounsellingServices
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