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Practical Tips

Articles:   Practical Tips for Students: Job Interview Preparation Hits the High Gear  •  Practical Tips for Your Job Interview  •  Job-Hunting Advice for Plus 50 Adults — Before Your First Interview  •  Tips for Students: Some Financial Aid Resources to Explore

Practical Tips for Students: Job Interview Preparation Hits the High Gear

It is common for out-of-work plus 50 adults to get the jitters before a job interview in today’s tough employment market. Interview preparation can help you build confidence, improve your interviewing skills and provide valuable feedback to guide you. To improve your techniques and calm interview jitters, you may want to ask a few friends or classmates to help you prepare with a mock interview.

Mock interviews are not just for those who’ve been out of the workforce for a long time. Anyone can benefit from a mock interview experience, no matter how many previous interviews they’ve conducted. Try to conduct at least two practice interviews with different people before the real thing. Here are a few suggestions to help:

  • Recruit a mock interviewer. A professional with experience in the career field for which you are interviewing may be the most valuable person to help you conduct a mock interview. A human resources executive, office manager, or someone else who routinely conducts job interviews could be an excellent interviewer. But how do you find one? Consult your college’s career resource center, talk with your academic advisor, scour the phone book or online listings or contact a professional development organization. Your fellow students and friends can fill the bill in a pinch. Your fellow plus 50 students at your community college may have a wealth of professional experience they can share with you in this type of role.
  • Remember – it’s about positives too. Often stressed out job seekers fret over what they might do wrong in a job interview. They worry so much that they forget about all of the good qualities and skills they have to showcase for the interviewer. A good mock interviewer will point out where you excelled. Hearing his or her words of praise will boost your confidence and affirm the steps you are taking. He or she will also point out your areas for improvement.
  • Stage a dress rehearsal. Some candidates find it helpful to wear their planned interview outfit for a mock interview. This also provides an opportunity to run your attire past the interviewer for a real-life critique. This forces you to prep the full outfit ahead of time, and spares you the anxiety of doing it on the real interview day. Carry the briefcase, notepad, pen and other items you plan to take to the interview. Now is the time to find out if the zipper sticks on the case, or if you are holding your portfolio upside down.
  • Offer prep tools. Give the mock interviewer the description for the job you are applying for ahead of time if you can, so he or she can write a few questions. If you are applying for jobs at several places simultaneously, select a few different job descriptions for practice.
  • Prep for the firing squad. A job interview with a panel of people at one time can be very intimidating. If you know you are going to face a panel interview with a group of questioners, assemble a career professional and a group of fellow students as stand-in interview panelists. Designate the professional as the lead interviewer. Write potential interview questions on index cards and let the panel fire away. Seeing friendly faces on the other side of the table will help you visualize the interview in real-life.
  • Videotape your practice session. It may make you feel self-conscious initially, but a video-taped mock interview session can help you improve your interview savvy. The camera hides nothing – including how your outfit drapes when you sit down, how your facial expression looks while the interviewer is talking and how your voice tone sounds. Some mock interviewees discover nervous behaviors that they were unaware of – such as tapping a foot in rhythm, speaking quickly or talking too loudly. Knowing about them empowers you to make positive adjustments that make you a stronger job candidate.
  • Ask the mock interviewer to evaluate your performance. Feedback can be a powerful tool for building your confidence and helping you to improve. The mock interviewer should share honestly with you about your strengths and make suggestions for improvement. Try not to take feedback in a negative way or to get defensive. Rather, consider how each comment can be a building block that makes you a stronger job candidate. Perhaps an adjustment can be made, a new technique tried or a foible avoided in the real interview. You are a stronger candidate if you have practiced.
  • Evaluate your performance. Consider strengths and challenges. Are you portraying through dress, speech and body language in the mock interview, the image that I want to portray? Use a dual column sheet to record your thoughts about your performance in the interview. Put “My Strengths” as the heading for the first column. Put “Areas to Improve” as the heading for the second column. Play back the video tape. Write at least one strength each time you write down an area for improvement. While watching the tape, note how long it took you to respond to each of the mock interview questions. Ideally, experts say your responses should be about two minutes long per question. Note your body language and what it says about you.

Find these practical tips and more on the Plus 50 Initiative Web site, including Practical Tips for Your Job Interview.

Practical Tips for Your Job Interview

An outstanding resume may get you a job interview, but savvy interview skills can help you get a job offer faster. Workers who are ages 55 and older take an average of 21 weeks to find a job, which is about five weeks longer than younger job seekers, according to the AARP Public Policy Institute. You can shorten your job search by beefing up your interview skills.

Adjust your attitude — for the positive. If you don't believe that your age and experience could be assets to potential employers, they will not believe it either. March into that interview ready to explain why your experience is the right fit for the job.

Polish your image. Look neat, trim, and professional. If your "interview suit" doesn't fit well or you've put on a few extra pounds, buy or borrow an outfit that helps you feel confident and poised. You don't have to be decked out in the latest fashion trend, but avoid wearing anything that looks dated. For some people, coloring their hair or getting a new style gives them more confidence. A beard can make men look older and some experts advise against keeping it if you are seeking employment.

Break out of the stereotypical "older worker" mold. Let's face it, there are a few people who think that plus 50 workers are not up-to-date with computer and technical skills, that they are not willing to accept new ideas, or not able to keep up with a fast-paced and rapidly evolving work environment. Prove them wrong. Go into that interview with your skills and knowledge of industry trends up-to-date and you will be ready to squash those stereotypes head on. Be prepared to cite examples that demonstrate how you have implemented new ideas in a changing workplace.

If your interviewer is younger than you are, don't let it rattle you. Show respect and keep your conversation focused on professional matters. Younger workers especially value working on teams and workplace diversity, so play up your involvement with teams and collaborative projects with colleagues of all ages and ethnicities.

Answer the interviewer's questions succinctly, but be prepped to brag. Stay focused on answering the interviewer's questions. Highlight your experiences and your qualifications for the job and how you are the best fit. You may not like to talk about yourself or to boast, but this is no time for modesty. Do not talk yourself out of a job, by talking for too long. Answer the question thoroughly and keep your nerves in check.

Prepare for age-related questions. While employers cannot discriminate based on age, asking an applicant if he or she is over-qualified, can imply that the interviewer is concerned that you will cost the company too much money to hire. Say up front that your top priority is not a job title or money. Point out that you are a hands-on person, who can hit the ground running because of your experience and skills. Some interviewers may try to gauge your fitness level or plans for retirement. If asked about your personal life, mention your last 10K run-walk or your civic and volunteer activities, not your grandchildren or vacation home.

Practice before the interview. Many larger companies screen job candidates through phone interviews, which may be a shock to anyone who has not interviewed for several years. In addition to asking about experience and qualifications, it's not uncommon for interviewers to ask job seekers to describe how they might react in a hypothetical workplace scenario that involves conflict resolution or problem-solving. Role-playing how you might respond to questions in a phone interview and in-person, is often valuable preparation. If you are concerned about how you appear in a job interview, ask a friend to video record a mock interview. Watching the footage can give you helpful tips that improve your facial expression, body carriage, verbal delivery, and word choice. Remember — the goal is to improve — not to criticize yourself!

Ask for the job and follow-up. Be convincing. Tell the interviewer that you know you are the right person for the job and ask when they will make a hiring decision. Remember to follow-up with a thank you note that day. A handwritten note gives a personal touch that is memorable.

Additional Resources

Job-Hunting Advice for Plus 50 Adults — Before Your First Interview

If you're returning to the job market after a hiatus or recently lost your job, and you're over age 50, don't despair. Employers value the experience, leadership, and expertise you bring to the workplace. Here's some tips to help your job hunt:

  • Assess your skills and direction. List on a sheet of paper the skills and experiences you bring to a new employer. Computer skills are expected in today's work environments. Technology skills in particular, are in high-demand. Do your skills fit with today's employers? What do you want to do at your next job? Something familiar to you? Something new?
  • Get additional training if needed. If you need to broaden your skills or want to re-train for a new career, consider taking a tune-up course at a community college. Courses may be available to assist you with planning your second career, writing a resume, or improving your computer skills.
  • Update your resume. Project a professional image through your resume. The current trend in resume writing is to focus your experiences to demonstrate skills and accomplishments. Consider taking a resume-writing class or reading a book on resume-writing. Make sure your talents and skills shine, so prospective employers can see what you have to offer.
  • Identify plus 50 friendly employers. Look at the employers in your community. List the employers that have plus 50 adults on the job, right now and in public roles. These are strong indicators of a workplace culture that accepts plus 50 workers. AARP's National Employer Team is also a great place to research and identify plus 50 employers. These major companies value the leadership and skills plus 50 adults have to offer.
  • Network, network, network. Because senior-level positions are not advertised, networking is especially important for plus 50 adults. Even if you are seeking an entry-level position, networking can help your job-hunt by exposing you to a new circle of organizations and employers. You might want to try: your local Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Women Business Owners, professional associations, and civic organizations. Many business networking organizations will allow you to attend events, even if you are not a member. Meetup.com can also be a valuable resource for identifying business networking events in your community.
  • Use volunteering to build connections and stay fresh. Working with a nonprofit organization can help you forge new linkages in the community. It also gives you valuable experience for your resume, and can let you try out new skills and experiences.

Additional resources to help:

Tips for Students: Some Financial Aid Resources to Explore

For many displaced plus 50 workers, financing a return to community college may be challenging. While many scholarship opportunities target traditionally-aged students, financial aid is available for plus 50 students at many institutions. Some community colleges offer free tuition for displaced workers, and some states, such as Michigan, have instituted programs like No Worker Left Behind to help displaced workers. Talk with the financial aid office at your local community college for more information about what is available in your area. Generally, financial aid comes in three forms: federal financial aid, credits that add deductions to your federal income taxes, and scholarships.

FAFSA: The Doorway to Federal, State, & Local Financial Aid
Any student requesting federal financial aid is required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year. FAFSAs for the 2008-2009 academic year are being accepted between January 1 and midnight Central Standard Time, June 30, 2009. Do not wait until the last minute to apply, because federal aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, most states and schools use FAFSA information when awarding their financial aid.

To fill out the FAFSA forms online, you will need your most current tax return, social security number, driver's license, bank statements, and investment records. For applications by June 30, 2009, you will need your 2008 tax return. Federal Student Aid recommends that you do your taxes before completing the FAFSA because you must report your income earned in the previous year. The higher your cash assets and adjusted gross income, the less government assistance you will receive.

Talk with your accountant about ways to maximize your tax deductions. These steps may also help lower your tax burden and maximize your deductions:

  • Contribute as much as you can to your retirement savings account.
  • Contribute to a flexible benefits plan.
  • Make energy efficient improvements to your house.
  • Pay down or pay off loans and bills.
  • Sell bad investments by December 31.

Federal Aid First offers a variety of resources to help you understand the various financial aid options available for college through the government. Stafford loans may be an option for some students.

The booklet, Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid is a comprehensive source of information about the Education Department's federal student aid programs. It includes an overview of federal student aid, as well as more detailed information on the application process and student loans.

Lifetime Learning Credit
An individual paying qualified tuition and related expenses at a postsecondary educational institution may claim the Lifetime Learning Credit on his or her federal income taxes, provided the institution is an eligible educational institution. Unlike the Hope Scholarship Credit, students are not required to be enrolled at least half-time in one of the first two years of postsecondary education. Nonresident aliens generally are not eligible to claim the Lifetime Learning Credit.

The Lifetime Learning Credit on your federal income tax form allows you to deduct up to 20 percent of the taxpayer's out-of-pocket expenses for a maximum of $10,000 in expenses. Thus, the maximum Lifetime Learning Credit a taxpayer may claim is $2,000. The maximum credit does not change even if the taxpayer is claiming a credit for the expenses of more than one student in the family.

The Lifetime Learning Credit is calculated on a per family basis, and not on a per student basis. Even if more than one person in the family is in school, the maximum credit that can be claimed cannot increase. Consult your accountant if you have questions about whether you qualify for the Lifetime Learning Credit.

AARP Foundation's Women's Scholarship Program
This program provides scholarship funds to women ages 40+ seeking new job skills, training, and educational opportunities to support themselves and their families. Applicants should have moderate to lower incomes and limited financial resources. Applications are not accepted year-round. Consult the website for details and student profiles.

Datatel Scholarship Foundation
The Datatel Scholars Foundation awards scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students attending eligible Datatel client institutions. Among their scholarship programs for non-traditionally aged students are the Angelfire Scholarship and the Russ Griffith Memorial Scholarship. The Angelfire Scholarship honors soldiers who have served during combat. The Angelfire scholarship is for outstanding students currently attending an eligible Datatel client institution, who served in the Vietnam War, their spouses and children, or refugees. Scholarships are also available for military personnel who served in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and/or Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Russ Griffith Memorial Scholarship is for outstanding students currently attending an eligible Datatel client institution who have returned to school after a five year absence or more.

Executive Women International ASIST Program
The Adult Students in Scholastic Transition (ASIST) is coordinated by participating Executive Women International chapters throughout the United States. This scholarship program is open to adult students at transitional points in their lives. Applicants may be single parents, individuals just entering the workforce or displaced worker. Chapter awards vary in amount. At the corporate level, the organization awards 12 scholarships valued at $2,500 each. Scholarships are generally awarded in May/June. Each chapter has its own deadline date for submitting an ASIST application, so contact a chapter near you to obtain their timeline for the application process. Applications should be submitted to the President of a participating chapter.

Talbots Women's Scholarship Fund
The Talbots Women's Scholarship Fund is a program of the Talbots Charitable Foundation that awards scholarships to women determined to finally get that college degree. Six women will each be awarded $10,000 scholarships, and 60 women will each be awarded $1,000 scholarships. All applicants must be seeking an undergraduate degree from an accredited two- or four-year college or university, or vocational-technical school. Only applicants seeking a bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university are eligible to receive a $10,000 award. Scholarship awards are based primarily on financial need and previous achievements for women who earned their high school diploma or GED at least 10 years ago.

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