Age is nothing but another number in the job seeking game!

It seems older job seekers are in limbo during the current economic and hiring landscape. Recent reports from the U.S. Labor Department earlier this month show that unemployment rates are lower for older workers than other age groups. However, that being said, the same report shows that it actually takes these individuals longer to find a new job than any other age group. What does it all mean for the older job seeker in today’s employment landscape?

Older, mature professionals are now job seekers for a number of reasons. Some older job seekers may get discouraged and lose confidence because of their age. However, if you are an older job seeker, stay positive! In today’s evolving job market, not only have the types of jobs out there changed, but so have the individuals who make up the current workforce. Remember that as seasoned professionals, older job seekers are great resources for any company, filled with loads of information and experience!

There are several steps an older job seeker can take to make the most of their job search. First and foremost, take a career inventory. Make a list of all the positions previously held. What tasks were completed? What accomplishments were made? One of the biggest obstacles for older workers is that they may be overqualified for jobs they’re applying to, so try to narrow down experience to what’s really important. Completing this exercise will help get your job search in gear by identifying potential opportunities and serving as a reminder of accomplishments achieved over the years.

As an older job seeker, keep in mind that resume writing may be slightly different. The résumé is a vital tool in the job search and can help any worker articulate the qualifications and experience they can bring to a potential position. Career consultants and advisors suggest that resumes for more mature job seekers tell a story and not just the last job title. What does that mean? Instead of simply listing the last role within the organization, list the promotions along the way. Another consideration to take into account is making the résumé skill-driven and results-oriented, instead of merely providing dates, titles and responsibilities from past positions.

A great way to keep an edge and stay fresh and vibrant in today’s fast paced job hunt is to take advantage of any learning opportunities that are available. Join professional associations, subscribe to trade journals and keep up with innovations and developments in your field as much as possible. Hone your skills or learn new ones. One of the biggest employment obstacles older workers may face is the concern that their skills are outdated and they aren’t willing to learn new ones. So, stress your willingness to learn. If you’ve taken courses and attended workshops, seminars, conferences and other professional development events throughout your career, be sure to tell your prospective employer.

Using these simple tips in your job hunt will not only help you get a better idea of what you want as an older, more mature job seeker but it will also help you better understand what employers are looking for as well. If you would like additional resume tips for more experienced job seekers, along with other advice for your entire job search from start to finish, check out our free Job Seeker’s Guide. Click here to get your copy.

Sources:

SecondAct.com

CNNMoney.com

Syracuse.com

Msnbc.msn.com

So, you’ve got an interview coming up. You’re strapped for cash, and you’ve searched through every hanger and drawer in your closet but don’t know what to wear. Not to worry! You can still build an ideal interview outfit right from your very own wardrobe. Here are a few tips for picking the perfect interview attire on a budget.

The bare necessities checklist – no job seeker should be without these!

Suit: One of the pricier pieces of your interview wardrobe can be a well-fitted suit.

Affordable Women's Suit from JCPenney

Designer suits can be pretty expensive, but I found a versatile, four-piece women’s set at JCPenney which comes out to less than $100 and several men’s seperates at JCPenney as well.

If a suit still isn’t in your budget, consider a classic white button down shirt with dark slacks. A white top or dress shirt with long sleeves can be a conservative and fail-proof approach at a professional look. Fitted white shirts can be modestly-priced at most stores, like this Merona men’s fitted shirt or women’s button down top from Target. Some department stores even offer shirt-and-tie sets at a cheaper price than separates.

Accessories: Accessories can put a final touch on any outfit but they don’t have to be expensive! You can save money on some of the expendable accessories in your wardrobe, such as pantyhose and dress socks, which can be purchased at wholesale prices.

Hair and hygiene: Sleek and sophisticated looks always make a statement for both men and women. Gentlemen, remember to shave! It is also recommended to skip on the perfumes and colognes altogether to avoid stirring up any allergies.

Dry cleaning: If you have some extra cash to play around with, you’ll definitely want to consider dry cleaning your outfit a few days before your interview. While this is an extra cost, it will create a crisp, clean finish to your look.

Integrating these tips into your wardrobe selection will save you time and money when deciding what to wear for that next big interview. While interviewing for a job can be nerve-racking, choosing an outfit doesn’t have to be!

Do you have any tips for interview attire? What has worked for you in the past and what hasn’t?

Thanks to our fellow Tweeters @CareerBuilder and @CBforJobSeekers I came across an article that reveals almost 25 percent of job seekers plan to use a recruiter in the next quarter, according to CareerBuilder’s quarterly Staffing Supply and Demand Outlook.

Other relevant information from the study reveals (as taken from CareerBuilder):

• Of those not currently using a staffing firm, more than half indicate they would if they were still searching three months from now.
• 34 percent of job candidates in the technical, IT and scientific sector continue to be most open to utilizing a staffing firm in their job search.
• 13 percent of hiring managers say they expect to use a staffing firm over the next three months.
• Of those managers, nearly one-in-10 expect to utilize a staffing firm to help in their search for full-time employees in the upcoming months.
• Six percent of hiring managers expect to utilize a staffing firm to help fill temporary or contract positions in the upcoming quarter.

StormStaff can help in your job search. We work with our professional candidates in the administrative, clerical and financial fields. If you are interested in searching our job postings, visit our website. You’ll also find more information about our services to help get your job search off to a successful start!

For more information on the survey results, visit The Work Buzz: the CareerBuilder.com Job Seeker Blog.

On Wednesday, Staffing Industry Analysts released survey results asking staffing companies how often candidates decline an assignment. According to the results, the median candidate decline rate is 11 to 15 percent. Those representing the healthcare industry reported the highest decline rate with a median in the 21 to 25 percent range. Meanwhile, business services ranked low on the spectrum, reporting a rate of decline at only 6 to 10 percent.

According to the report:

“Staffing firms primarily serving the business services… report the lowest rates of candidate decline.”

Another article in BusinessWeek reported that the business and professional services industry currently holds the second highest number of available jobs employers can’t fill. It seems companies are actively seeking qualified candidates but can’t seem to recruit the qualified talent or fit for their organizations.

So, what could all of this mean for staffing companies specializing in business services and the clients they serve? Well, it certainly means that both sides stand with much to gain.

First off, research shows that candidates specializing in business services aren’t likely to decline a position offered to them. Using a staffing company with a high level of expertise, resources, commitment and personal approach will certainly achieve favorable results.

Secondly, companies say they are facing trouble filling positions and claim they are “actively recruiting but so far have been unable to fill.” If these organizations use expert staffing companies, they will receive assistance from recruiters who know exactly what they are looking for and are true experts in finding the right fit for the right position. Recruiters find the high-quality, top talent candidates that companies want and need. Organizations that use staffing companies can save valuable time and money in meeting these demands.

We know that many people are actively on the job search, so we’ve decided to put together some useful tips that are tried and true when it comes to the job hunting process. Click here to check them out or visit:

http://www.StormStaff.com/jobhuntingtips