Tool-up: When experience can hinder rather than bolster your career prospects

Re-entering the jobs market after an absence can be a daunting proposition. In an increasingly digitised world, technology changing at a rapid pace and the pandemic have conspired to turn much of how hiring is undertaken on its head.

Navigating through this increasingly complex job seeker environment is of course more than possible once you know what to expect. But, if you haven’t managed to keep your skills up to date and relevant to the industry you want to work in, the task could become much harder.

However, you are not alone in this. Indeed, research suggests as many as 40 per cent of seasoned professionals in the UK feel they don’t have the skills needed to get a new job and this is deterring some from applying and making themselves open to new opportunities. This needn’t be the case. Mature employees play a vital role in future economic growth, and if they are equipped with right know-how this area of the workforce can plug many of the skills gaps that currently exist.

When considering entering the job market after a long period out of it, it’s time to reassess your skillset. Are they up to date? If not, what can you do about it?

Update your skills

Evidence points to a lack of support for older workers to receive the skills and training they need to succeed in a digital and post-pandemic world. In fact, only 25 per cent of employees aged 50-59 years felt their employer encouraged them to upskill. If your current employer hasn’t supported you in upskilling you may have to take ownership of it yourself.

Learning new skills does not have an age limit. It is time to establish yourself as a life-long learner, expand your existing skills and make yourself more employable for a new role. The Age Employment Network and the National Careers Service can both help you assess your skills.

Returning to education via a short course or a full degree is an effective way to update skills. Mature students are now much more common. Master’s degrees, in particular, offer a route for mature candidates to develop specialisms. For shorter courses, the National Careers Service provides free programmes to learn new skills and change jobs. Distance learning and evening classes are also popular to boost skills. Studying short courses in digital media and technology are effective at quickly getting you up to date.

Start networking

 Networking with younger employees can be mutually beneficial. This is often referred to as ‘reverse mentoring’ whereby the senior professional can share their insights and expertise with younger colleagues, while the latter can share their knowledge of the latest trends and developments taking place within the industry.

Many of the most successful CEOs have a reverse mentoring program in place. Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric, pioneered this approach and a plethora of other business leaders have followed suit from the likes of Cisco, Unilever, UK Foreign Office, and BNP Paribas.

This can have a significant personal benefit. You can learn new skills, and they can learn from your experience and expertise. When looking at new jobs, identify any existing contacts and start reconnecting. LinkedIn can be a great place to start. Genuine social interactions are much more effective than job applications.

Show your value

Your experience should not hinder your job hunting. Demonstrate your value to potential employers by showing what makes your extra experience necessary. Does it mean you’re a better team leader? Or have you made desirable business and client connections? These qualities all add value to you as an employee.

No matter your age, getting back into work certainly has it challenges no matter what stage of your career you are at, but by taking time to assess your abilities and learn new skills, you’ll be able to show future employers your value and make the step back into the job market.