How to start your mid-career job search:
By Cham Posted Date: October 03, 2017
There are many reasons why you may be considering a mid-career job search, it could be to gain a competitive advantage and move to a better position and pay at another organisation or maybe even to pursue a change in the type of work that you do due to a lack of growth. Regardless of the reasons, a mid-career job search for mature candidates can present a variety of challenges. Older job seekers can face restrictions and road blocks that make the mid-career job search a difficult process.
For instance their family situation could mean it is difficult for them to relocate or move for the job, may have trouble with commuting long distances and even accepting a lower pay. (In some cases a career change might require you to start at a slightly lower position than what you held before). Other issues can include a lack of specialisation due to a broad career history and even employers having a bias against older/overqualified candidates.
If you are a mid-career job seeker there are some strategies that can help you improve your strengths and make you more attractive to employers, discussed below are some tips on how to start your mid-career job search:
- Filter out your CV: It’s important to carefully select and include only what’s necessary in your CV. The competition for nearly all jobs can be very high, hence employers and hiring managers pick out only candidates who fulfil all the requirements for a job. Even if you have a broad range of experience it is important to update your CV according to the job so as to include only experiences and skills that are relevant to it. Having additional skills if it is something that can improve your performance in the applied role is okay, but otherwise exclude them. It is also important to relate your skills to a benefit that the organisation or company can gain from.
- Improve your network: With any job search whether it’s a mid-career one or a graduate role, building your professional network is key. The bigger your professional networks the more opportunities that present themselves. Give yourself an advantage by broadening your network, not just with your close friends and acquaintances but use platforms such as LinkedIn to connect with others in your industry including recruiters.
- Be flexible with what you’ll accept: Sometimes you may not get the exact ideal job that you had in mind. It’s important that you are prepared to take on other roles if they will get you closer towards your goals, whether it maybe through skills development and experience, or providing you a foot in the door to the right organisation/team.
- Market your experience: As a mid-career job seeker you are more than likely to have significant experience that can be of value to the organisation. Think of the knowledge and skills you have gained through your past experiences and how it can add value to the organisation you are applying to. It could be in the form of training and mentoring junior employees or improving the way they do things currently. Aim high and focus on your gained experience and skills so you can leverage them to your advantage.