It is well-known that networking is the most important activity in any successful job search. By leveraging existing and future social relationships, a job seeker can develop access to the people, information and ideas he or she needs to land a new opportunity. Some incorrectly assume that networking is primarily for novice job seekers and for those who do not yet enjoy developed social networks.
In fact, it is older workers who may stand the most to gain by well-conceived and vigorously executed networking campaigns in support of their job searches. This is because effective networking helps mature talent pre-empt some of the objections of ageism that can hamper career development later in life. There are specific reasons why older job seekers need to apply maximum efforts to effective networking in addition to the standard ones that apply to everyone.
[See: Tips for Surviving a Career Transition.]
Illustrate Your Value in a Non-Threatening Way
When confronted with a direct plea of “please hire me” that accompanies a cover letter submission or a cold call, most hiring managers or recruiters will become defensive and standoffish. Like the response to a telemarketer who calls during dinner, the answer can be “no” before one even considers what is being offered. But when a manager or other professional is conducting an informational meeting with a candidate, she becomes an ally of the job seeker rather than an opponent.
For older candidates, this is especially important because the first instinct of an employer, when surprised by more gray or absent hair than expected, may be to stiff-arm the candidate’s ambition. On the other hand, if that employer can get to know the job seeker a bit in a non-threatening way first, the manager may start to imagine with less prejudice how this candidate might solve an existing workplace problem or fill another need.
Show Energy and Resourcefulness
Hiring managers and recruiters, many of whom are comparatively young, may stereotypically dismiss older workers as possessing low energy and drive. However, if the candidate handles himself with alacrity and purposefulness in setting up and conducting a networking meeting, that activity will put to rest any concern about energy or ability. When scheduling a meeting, for example, the candidate can suggest meeting for coffee well before or after general business hours or volunteer to commute a long distance. Such actions can speak louder about work ethic and dedication than platitudes and verbal assurances.
[See: 10 Ways Social Media Can Help You Land a Job.]
Display a Willingness to Learn
That one can’t teach an old dog new tricks is a cliché well-known to all English speakers. Putting aside sensitivities to equating older job seekers to “man’s best friend,” it sometimes happens that younger managers assume that mature talent is harder to train and deploy because of an inability or unwillingness to learn new skills and topics at older ages.
By submitting to the tutelage of a manager or recruiter during a networking information meeting, an older job seeker is sending a powerful signal that he is not just willing to be coached, but that he actually seeks active feedback. Thus having removed an uncomfortable barrier, a healthy peer relationship can develop to the benefit of both parties.
Intelligence Gathering
Through effective networking, an older job seeker can become and remain current on terminology, ideas, industry relationships and even gossip that can be used at the next meeting to show just how au courant she is. An ability to adeptly discuss concepts and associations in real time will put to rest any concern that a job seeker is out of date or old-fashioned in some limiting way.
[See: The 25 Highest-Paying Jobs That Don’t Require a College Degree.]
Gaining Confidence by Giving Back
Most know that networking is a two-way street, but few act with reciprocation in mind. A skilled networker will always inquire during an informational meeting if he or she can be helpful to the other party. An older worker, in particular, might help the manager with whom he or she is meeting with a problem related to business, family or some other part of life. After all, the great advantage of being older is having experienced and learned from a large variety of scenarios. Why not bring some of that hard-earned wisdom to bear in support of someone else’s needs? Then, lightbulbs of insight may illuminate for the manager as she sees how a mature worker may be exactly what she needs for her team.
Being useful in this way will build confidence in the mature job seeker who might otherwise have forgotten how useful he or she can be. While difficult to consistently convey, genuine or even feigned confidence is key to success in a job search.
“Been there, done that” is no excuse to go light on networking while looking for a job. On the contrary, it is the very reason why networking is more important for and more effectively executed by successful older job seekers. Wisdom comes with experience and time. An effective networking campaign is a primary method by which the older job seeker will promote his or her unique assets and ability to contribute.
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Networking Is Not Just for the Young originally appeared on usnews.com
