It’s not talked about openly, but people over 45 are actually reluctant to be invited to interviews. Neither professionalism nor work experience often help. Often they have to accept a less prestigious position with a lower salary. Why is this happening? Explains the head of the recruitment department Irina Pevnaya.
Blame the stereotypes that are firmly rooted in Russian society. It is believed that after the age of 45, the employee’s ability to work decreases. It is more difficult for him to adapt in a new team and more difficult to master new knowledge and technologies. The first health problems appear.
“For more than a year I have been trying to find a job,” admits Alexander, 49, head of the logistics department. – I have an excellent track record, experience in Russian and international companies, positive references. But even getting an interview at this age is not easy. Now I am looking for a job through acquaintances, since I can no longer compete with the younger generation. ”
For Europe, such a situation is nonsense, because there 45-50 years — the heyday of a career. And a recruiter can get fired if he asks about his age in an interview. In Russia, any discrimination is also prohibited by law, but this does not make finding a job easier for those over 45.
Despite the difficulties, older candidates can successfully get a job — but the search process will require special preparation and concentration.
Where to start?
Need to fix it first resume. Many describe each place of work in detail, including part-time jobs from student days. The recruiter is only interested in your “fresh experience”, so it’s better to limit yourself to the last two or three positions. The ideal format is 1-2 A4 sheets.
If you feel it necessary to list your entire track record, or if your career flourished in earlier experience, use a different resume structure. List successively periods of work, company names and positions held. In a separate block, indicate the main competencies and achievements. The main advantage of such a resume is that you immediately draw the recruiter’s attention to your advantages.
It is even more difficult for those who have worked at the same enterprise all their lives or have changed companies only once. In this case, all positions and achievements for each of them should be indicated. The recruiter should see that you have not just sat in one position for 20 years, but have developed professionally.
A cover letter is your chance to stand out among applicants, because few people know how to write them really well
If you have not written a resume for a long time, look at examples of other applicants on recruiting sites. At the same time, you will be able to evaluate potential competitors and understand what you are losing and what knowledge you need to improve.
Or use the service of work sites: a consultant by phone or in person will help you highlight key competencies, which will save a lot of time.
should not be neglected and cover letter. This is your chance to stand out among applicants, because few people know how to write them really well. Remember the 3 golden rules:
1. Enough 2-3 paragraphs.
2. Don’t duplicate resumes.
3. Change the content depending on the vacancy.
Your task is to reflect your advantages and explain to the employer how your experience can be useful for this position and the company as a whole.
Main question — whether to indicate age. Many advise to skip this point, but there are nuances. In the resume that you send by mail, it is better not to hide how old you are. This will only alert the recruiter, and he will still try to get to the bottom of the matter — for example, calculate by the date of graduation from the institute.
On websites, many recruiters set the range “from 30 to 45 years” when searching. Here, by hiding your age, you increase the likelihood that your resume will at least be opened. Read or not — depends on the presentation of information.
Where to look?
To make your job search effective, it is worth using all possible channels and making sure that you catch the eye of the recruiter several times.
The most popular tool job search websites. There are really a lot of vacancies, but even more applicants. And one small mistake can bring all efforts to naught — competitors will quickly bypass you.
If you don’t have a high-quality business-format photo that makes you look fresh and well-groomed, it’s better to abandon the idea of a photo altogether. Also, do not list many positions that are potentially interesting to you in the title of your resume or career goal. This makes it clear that you don’t know what you want or are desperate. Both will alienate the recruiter.
In second place — social networks. If you don’t already have a Facebook account (an extremist organization banned in Russia), it’s time to get one. Create an informative profile and start searching for jobs in specialized job search groups. Social networks are also good because it is easy to make new acquaintances there.
Gradually expand your network of contacts, communicate with HR, feel free to «promote» your candidacy, ask for a meeting, ask for help and advice on employment. Insolence is the second happiness, and when it comes to finding a job, happiness is doubly.
Place special hope in recruiting agencies not worth it. They work according to the needs of the customer, and if the client said that he is not ready to consider candidates 45+, your chances are extremely small. But you can send resumes to major agencies. They will add you to the database, and if there are suitable vacancies, they will contact you.
But if it is a rare or highly specialized position, consultants will be able to offer worthy options. There are few candidates for such vacancies, and many are ready to turn a blind eye to age. Moreover, in science-intensive industries, construction, medicine, education, and energy, candidates 45+ are even welcome. After all, by this age they accumulate unique knowledge and expertise.
Try to move away from the usual standards and consider other forms of employment, such as remote work. So you can get a job in a company that is located in another region of the country. And the time that was previously spent on the road, devote to family or hobbies.
You can also consider the positions of an adviser or mentor. Now it is a common practice to invite an independent consultant who is able to take a fresh look at the problem and find a solution. In this capacity, you can work with several companies at the same time.
“I was often rejected because of my age,” recalls 50-year-old Anatoly. — They said that the company has a young team, mostly people under 30 work. I heard from recruiters: “You will not fit into the corporate culture, it will be difficult for you to adapt to the team, and it will not be easy for young employees to find an approach to you.” As a result, I began to consider alternatives — remote work or freelancing. Now I work for a large publishing house from home, proofreading texts. Sometimes I take translations on freelance sites. It’s a decent income.»
At the interview
Good experience is not enough, it is important to skillfully present it, competently build communications with the interlocutor. Your self-presentation, as well as appearance, must be on top. Carefully study the job description before the meeting and talk about your experience, based on the wishes of the employer to the candidate for this position.
“I thought that my task was to convey the maximum about myself as a professional and as a person,” says 54-year-old Piotr, head of the AHO department. — It turned out to be a very long story, no one listened to it to the end. I shortened the story to 15 minutes and talked only about the most successful projects, how I can be useful in the vacancy, what I have achieved. My candidacy was more often promoted to the second stage. I advise everyone to review their presentation and do not forget to remind them of their candidacy if they did not receive feedback. One call or email won’t turn you into a pushy candidate.»
Don’t lower your requirements ahead of time. If you have long experience as a manager behind you, don’t immediately «roll down» to a line position, because someone said that no one needs leaders your age. Not the fact that it will be easier for you to find a vacancy for an ordinary specialist.
On the contrary, the company will look at you doubly, because the level of your competencies implies a higher position. Will you be able to obey a young employee? Do you get bored in this position? Suddenly get an offer for a managerial position and leave?
The same applies to monetary compensation. Many immediately lower the bar, believing that this will give them an advantage in competition with young people. More likely no than yes. After all, a young employee can also reduce material expectations. A recruiter may be alerted by the level of the desired salary that is too low for your qualifications.
Don’t push for pity. It is not necessary to tell how hard it is at your age to find a job and that you are ready to take on any. The HR manager cares about your experience. A burned out, psychologically crushed candidate will definitely not pass to the second stage of selection.
No matter how hard it is, play the role of a positive and in-demand employee. And in response to the question “Why have you been out of work for so long,” say that you are looking for a company for a long period and carefully approach the choice of offers.
Go for concessions. «Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.» It is difficult to predict how long it will take you to look for a new job. Much depends on the professional area and how you can present your experience. If the job search is delayed, you will have to make the first sacrifices.
For example, consider vacancies with a lower income level or pay attention to offers with relocation in Russia. Of course, moving to another region is stressful, especially if you have to part with your family for a while. But the competition for these vacancies is slightly lower, and your chances of getting an offer increase.
We are increasingly focusing on Western experience, where employees over 45 are valued no less than young ones.
Perhaps it makes sense to look at small companies that are not spoiled by a large stream of applicants. There, every unit counts, and the climate in the team in most cases is much more pleasant than in medium and large businesses.
And not all employers have a negative attitude towards candidates over 45. Yes, there are “young” companies on the market where the average age of employees is no more than 30 years old. Even if you manage to get there, it will be extremely difficult to adapt to an unfamiliar corporate culture for you. However, Russian business is gradually moving away from established standards and stereotypes. We are increasingly focusing on Western experience, where employees over 45 are valued no less than young ones.
“There are no age restrictions in our companies,” comments Anna, 35, director of human resources for a diversified holding. — I do not think that after 45 people should retire and feel like an outcast in a working society. Many of our employees over 50 perform better than younger people and are worth their weight in gold. They not only show good results, but also pass on knowledge to the next generations. In addition, employees at this age have undeniable advantages: they are responsible, value their work, are not burdened with small children, are psychologically stable, and negotiate well. As for health problems, young people are sick very often now, so this is definitely not a reason to refuse a person to work.