by Nadine Odo

Created on: July 28, 2008

I have first-hand knowledge on the topic of looking for a job when you're older. I've gotta tell you, thinking about it doesn't exactly put me in my happy place. Looking for a job is difficult and kind of depressing, especially when you're in your 40s or 50s. I lost my job last year and it took me seven months to find another one. Here are some tips, gleaned from the web and personal experience, for getting your next job if you're a brilliant and dedicated hard worker who just happens to have a few years on the competition.

REMEMBER THAT FINDING A JOB IS DIFFERENT NOW
You can start your search on Monster, Yahoo! HotJobs, local city and county websites, as well as individual company websites. You can post your resume and apply online and, in the case of Monster.com and similar sites, you can subscribe to newsletters full of helpful hints that will be emailed to you. There are also websites for older workers such as Jobs 4.0.

You can also join a temp agency. Temp agencies can help you to update your skills and may be the ticket to your next job. You may land a job that is a temp-to-perm, that is, a temporary job that could turn into a permanent one if the fit is right for you and your employer. That's how I got a job a decade ago when I moved to a new city. The line of work was far different from what I had been doing, but it worked well. Incidentally, I tried temp agencies again this time around, and wasn't sent to a single job. My nagging suspicion is that the 20-somethings at the agencies are more likely to place other 20-somethings, and less likely to place someone like me.

You might also look through the classifieds. Generally, you won't find your dream job in the Sunday classifieds. Jobs that no one else wants are advertised there. However, just to prove to prospective employers that I was willing to take a pay cut, I accepted a short-term position for $8.50 an hour. It hurt my pride a bit since I hadn't been an hourly employee for years, but I think my strategy worked, because a few months later I was hired at another company in a permanent position, for a few more bucks an hour.

REMEMBER THAT YOU NEED TO LOOK THE PART
I decided that If I had to compete against younger, better looking, and cheaper "kids," then I had to look better. I bought some exercise equipment, became more careful about what I put in my body (resulting in a 10-pound weight loss), updated my wardrobe, colored my hair, and had a professional tell me what kind of makeup I should wear (hadn't

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