DOS AND DON’TS TO NAIL THAT JOB

DO stay current, and DON’T chatter on in interviews about successes you had ten years ago. Focus on what you’ve done recently.

DON’T name drop. Refrain from throwing out names of powerful people you worked with decades ago. Often it just makes you seem ancient. And who really cares?

DO believe in yourself. People

dwell too much on the negative. Have faith in yourself. When you’ve been out of work for a while, you forget your value.

DON’T badmouth past employers, even if you are bitter about being ushered out the door. No good will come from this and it will only reflect badly on you.

DO pitch your age as a plus. You know people from all walks of life. Your children are likely to be more self-sufficient, so you’re free to stay late sometimes. You don’t need as much handholding as young people without experience. Reframe your age into a positive.

DON’T be arrogant. If you want the gig, talk with passion about the company and what you offer it. No one wants to hire someone who thinks the work is beneath them or is marking time until something better comes along.

DO be fearless. If you’re bad at blowing your own trumpet, ask people who know you well to write down your plus points — skills, personality, experience. Then, in the interview, you can say: ‘Well, people have said...’ Big yourself up! What’s the worst that can happen? They don’t get back to you.