More Interview Skills

More Interview Skills For The Over 50

Learning more interview skills and getting hired in today’s economy isn’t easy, and men and women over 50 often have an extremely rough time. Some employers assume these candidates are overqualified or out of touch...making your job of learning interview skills for the over 50 ever more important.

16 More Interview Skills That Will Help You Stand-out and Help You Get Hired!

1. Be 15 minutes EARLY -- Punctuality counts!
2. Do your background research (of the company and if possible the person(s) LinkedIn)
3. Be polite to everyone
4. Watch your body language
   
5. Review your own resume before you arrive (know dates and be able to expand on your accomplishments)
6. Prepare for standard questions
7. Prepare your wardrobe
   
8. Thinking before you speak (be thoughtful, but do not leave too many gaps)
9. Speak clearly, cohesively, and calmly (take a second to breathe to slow you down)
10. Being confident, not arrogant or an annoying know it all
11. Practice (active) listening
12. Expressing optimism, in your own words and body language
13. Show interest...not desperation
14. Expand on your elevator pitch (remember your selling yourself, so be informative beyond your resume)
15. Expressing gratitude...remember that firm handshake and direct eye-to-eye contact
16. Learn more interview skills by returning and studying this site on a regular basis (I had to stick that in).
    

Be Prepared To Answer Some Tough Questions 

Aren't Overqualified For This Job?

You may want to say..."Heck yeah, and I've been doing your job BEFORE you were born!"

...of course you would NEVER say that, at least if you want to find a job.  However, the chances are very high that you will be interviewed, by someone, younger, less experienced and perhaps threatened by you -- yes threatened.

THAT may be one of the biggest obstacle that you may need to overcome; along with showing the interviewer that you are in tune with and comfortable with today's technology and communications (both tools and the unique form of language social media comes along with).

You might say something like this:

• "My family's grown and my kids are now out on their own...and I am no longer concerned with title and salary.  I love new challenges, learning new things...I have much to contribute. 
• As you note, I've worked at a higher level, but this position is exactly what I'm looking for -- My experience makes me an asset to the company and will help me be successful in this position.
• At crunch times and emergencies, my experience makes me a steadying influence. I’m not after anyone’s job and will be a reliable and trustworthy person to have at your back -- I bring real benefits to the team, I want the job, and you can count on me.”

Are You Comfortable With Today's Technology and Social Media?

You can answer this question by showing that you are capable of staying on top of things in a rapidly changing workplace. First talk about these constantly evolving challenges, then follow with examples of how keeping up with technologies has helped your productivity.

You might say something like this: 

• “I love learning new things, and the feeling of being in-touch with the evolution of today's technology.  I embrace it, try to use it, and I'm not afraid to try something new -- I love new challenges”

Why would you want THIS job when it's below you?

Use facts. Be honest. Say something like this:

• “If you look at my work history you’ll see it has been steady for many years. Then I lost my job in a recent round of downsizing. I’ve before had a problem finding a job"

Then move the conversation forward to what’s most important to the interviewer:

• What you can do for him or her and how quickly you’d be productive. You might finish with a question of your own, asking about the most difficult and/or urgent responsibilities of the job.

Now It's YOUR Turn To Ask Questions -- Have Some Prepared

When learning more interview skills it's best to interject your questions during the interview to show interest and help you to engage in a nice rapport with the interviewer, but always have three or four questions in your back pocket to end the interview on. 

This will show the interviewer that your on top of things...t's your turn to now interview the interviewer.

5 possible questions:

1. What skills and experiences would make an ideal candidate?

2. What is the single largest problem or challenge that your staff is facing, and how will this role play into solving them?

3. What have you enjoyed most about working here?

4. What constitutes success at this position and this firm or nonprofit...what does that look like?

5. Do you have any hesitations about my qualifications? (I love this question because it's gutsy. Also, you'll show that you're confident in your skills and abilities).

The Bottom Line

Read the employer’s website or company literature or go on LinkedIn and don’t ask questions about information provided there.

Learning more interview skills is about showing your prepared for the interview. Know the nature of the organization or company to show you have done your homework.

Responding with very specific questions will allow you to impress your potential employer with your knowledge and interest in the industry while also determining if this is the right job for you.

1. UberCareerTips Home
 ›
2. Personal Branding
 ›
3. What Is Your Value Proposition?