Queenager Careers: Jobs actively recruiting over-50s and how to get yourself work-ready

Noon's monthly Job Board in partnership with 55 Redefined

Dear Queenagers

I know some of you are trying to find work – and also that the algorithms and the way that recruiters look at CVs can count against Queenagers when they apply for jobs. Don’t despair! If its any consolation I have never had any kind of call back from ANY job I have ever applied for online. If that sounds familiar, I feel your pain: it is super depressing to spend an hour or so titivating a CV and writing a letter explaining why you would be brilliant for a job only to have it go into the internet void… a kind of death spiral where one’s self esteem and confidence withers with every passing day.

 Don’t worry. It’s not personal. It’s not judgement on you and your total fabulousness. It’s often the pesky algorithms which rule out anyone older without even looking at what they have to offer. A recruiter told me that she has got people jobs at companies through her own contacts who have already applied for the position online and been turned down. It is egregious and unfair – but it is why we are trying to change the conversation and turbo charge ageism – and particularly gendered ageism – as an important and oft overlooked aspect of recruitment that companies need to consider. In fact I feel so strongly about it that I have been on TV talking about it – if you missed it here is me on the BBC talking about the algorithm and how to get over-50s back to work.

We are also trying to do something practical to help you all. There are lots of inspirational stories and advice on Noon here. And here are a few tips from the brilliant Lisa Unwin, LinkedIn voice and on the Noon Advisory Board, who is our Queenager expert on all things career and specialises in getting lawyers back into the profession at www.reigniteacademy.co.uk. If you are thinking about going back into the job market, particularly if you’ve taken a long (or even a short) bit of time out – do yourself a favour and have a little read through these tips.. then have a look at this week’s jobs board which comes afterwards.

Going back to work after a break:

1.  Get your own email address.  This sounds so simple but I do get approaches from women with emails like mikeandsue@thebrownlows.com .  

2. And once you’ve done that make sure you’ve got your own bloody zoom account. The number of times I’ve done a zoom with Freddy Johnson instead of Felicity because Freddy was the last one to use the computer for his homework or online lesson

3. Be able to complete this sentence “I’m Lisa, I …….” in a way which doesn’t tell anyone how many kids you have, your marital status or use the words “used to be”.  Ideally give people a clue about your knowledge, experience and interests now.

4  Go onto someone else’s computer, someone you don’t know and Google yourself. Like it or not we live in a digital world, this is your digital presence.  [Are you happy with it? Not really – go to the next step.. Eleanor]

5. Create a LinkedIn profile and do this 3 x 5 exercise every week.  Reconnect with 5 people you used to work with, follow 5 people whose work/profile/writing interests you. Next engage with content 5 times ( a like, a share of someone else’s share of your own). [The point of this is to get you on people’s radar. In today’s work-world, if you aren’t on LinkedIn you don’t exist. And less than 16% of over 50s are on there, so what are you waiting for? Eleanor]

6.  Get a professional headshot done.  Top tip - find an under 25 year old with a smart phone to take the photo. It will be fab.

7. Buy a new outfit that makes you feel fabulous, comfortable and confident.

Ok, when you’ve got that sorted remember: What employer’s need

1.  Someone who likes solving problems - that’s what many jobs are

2. Determination, grit, resilience - don’t be flaky, as a mid lifer you’ve probably got tonnes of examples

3.  Faddy word but a “growth mindset”. You don’t need to prove you know everything, you do need to prove you can learn stuff and that you like learning

Ok – now you are ready to have a look at this week’s featured jobs, all of which come from employers who are actively trying to recruit the over 50s. This is part of our Noon partnership with 55 Redefined who are working with a range of companies to help them understand the skills, experience and benefits that older workers bring.  

This week’s featured jobs include:

1.       Human Resources Business Partner, Network Rail

2.      Occupational Health & Wellbeing Manager, Network Rail

3.      Sue Ryder National Fundraiser, The Fundraising Partnership

4.     Helpdesk Consultant, Hargreaves Lansdowne

5.      Customer Service - Personal Banker, NatWest Group

6.     Mortgage Consultant Non-Advice, Bank of Ireland

If none of these quite hits the spot for you, why not check out more opportunities on the Jobs/Redefined Homepage: www,jobs-redefined.co

Every month we feature a different Age Inclusive Employer: (if you want to check out others who have signed a pledge to do that it is here Companies)

This month the spotlight is on: Network Rail

55 Redefined says: About Network Rail:
Are you looking to do meaningful work every day?

Start a rewarding career with Network Rail. Our role is to run a safe, reliable and efficient railway, serving customers and communities. We exist to get people and goods where they need to be and to support Great Britain's economic prosperity.

We are an organisation where people matter. You matter to us, and you'll matter to millions.

We empower our people to always be safe. To care about the railway, its users and each other, and put teamwork at the heart of all we do.

Company Benefits range from Flexible Working Hours and Hybrid Working to Health Care including Dental Insurance.

Good luck with your jobs search – have you found this helpful? We appreciate your feedback hello@inherspace.co.uk with any thoughts.

Eleanor