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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