“The average duration of unemployment for job seekers age 55 and older was 54.3 weeks in December 2014. That’s more than five months longer than the 28.2 weeks younger workers remain unemployed,” according to an AARP Public Policy Institute analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data (Source).

Here are some tips on how to search for a job after the age of 50:

  • Know who you want to work for and what kind of job you want.
  • Make sure you setup a professional email dedicated to your job search. This would be an email that is not related to your current position or a family email.
  • Networking is a great way to find a job. If you know someone who works for the company you want to work, find out if they would be willing to connect you with human resources or a hiring manager. Referrals can be a huge advantage when searching and applying for a job. A glowing recommendation can make a huge impact on your job search.
  • Don’t mention your age in the interviewing process as this will draw attention to your age and reduce your chances of being hired.
  • Stick to only displaying the past 10 to 15 years of experience on your resume otherwise your resume will show your age. Using the past 10 to 15 years on your resume is very acceptable in today’s job market and will eliminate the possibility of “aging” you.
  • Stay abreast of trends and technology. This will demonstrate that you are keeping up with the industry and what is current.
  • Upgrade any skills that are rusty. This will make you competitive with any of younger candidates in the job search.
  • Look for employers who are looking for seasoned professionals and want extensive experience.
  • Use social media, like LinkedIn, to make connections and network. This can be a huge advantage that could lead to some great relationships with people within companies you may want to work with. That being said, do not pester them too much or they will run for the hills.

Most of all you should have a plan in place of how you are going to go about your job search. Don’t give up and be sure to stay positive. You have a lot to offer a prospective employer so just take it one step at a time.