There is little doubt that finding a job today if you are unemployed is difficult.  Recent statistics show that there are nearly 14 million unemployed Americans, 6 million of whom who have been unemployed for more than 6 months. Additionally, the average time Americans spend unemployed is now in excess of 9 months.   Many unemployed workers are faced with the fact that their previously highly desired skills are no longer in demand and that pay rates are rapidly declining.

In the face of the uphill struggle to find a job, many more senior workers, now in the ranks of the long-term unemployed, aren't returning to the workforce at all.  This is because many have become uninspired in their job search and are unwilling to change.  Fear of rejection also begins to set in the longer the person is unemployed. However, some of the basic job search skills more senior workers used years ago may just be the very thing that could move them into the ranks of the employed if used properly.

Finding a job today involves personal communication just as it did decades ago.  A personally delivered résumé to an employer will often be viewed before those sent electronically via email or fax.  This also gives the more senior applicant an opportunity to be viewed, and to view the potential workplace.  It can go a long way to quell nervousness about whether or not age or other factors will come into play when invited for an interview. 

When delivering a résumé personally, be sure to dress as though you were going for an interview. Additionally, more senior job seekers should dress appropriately for today - even if it does make you feel as comfortable.  There is power in being dressed properly and feeling good about “you”.  Find your professional image and take it to become employed!!!

© Copyright Vet2Work/Naturallysilver 2010-11. No re-publication of this article is permitted without express permission. This is an excerpt from "Successful Career Moves" by C.A. Stapleton. About the author:  C.A. Stapleton, A.S., B.S., M.B.A., is an experienced, published professional career consultant, mentor, and résumé/ biographical writer.