Over the past few years, I have implemented a
web-enabled forecasting system linked to a datawarehouse and
created a disaster recovery plan for a FTSE 100 company. I have
also been unemployed for 14 months.
The range of my skills seems to scare interviewers, and being 58
years old does not help. I am not ready to retire, but I am at the
point of leaving IT and depriving someone with a fraction of my
skills of a job by becoming a shelf stacker or road sweeper. What
would you advise?
The solution:
Tailor your CV for each job application
The introduction in October 2006 of age discrimination
regulations can protect you. Remove your date of birth from your CV
- you do not have to provide this information even at the interview
stage.
You clearly have a good range of experience and skills. However,
being a jack of all trades can put off potential employers. You
should tailor your CV to each job. If the advert asks for
datawarehousing skills, highlight your datawarehouse experience in
detail - do not send your general management CV.
The most successful candidates are the ones who really invest
time in their applications. The same rule applies to the interview.
Focus only on relevant skills. If the job requires Wintel
experience, you do not need to explain that you can code in
C++.
With your skills, you could market yourself as an independent IT
consultant to local organisations. Being able to set up a website
or sort out a database could be just the ticket, and it would
surely beat stacking shelves.
Solution by Jeremy I'Anson, principal IT consultant at
Hudson
The panel: Computer People, Hudson, No Limits Coaching, The
Training Camp, Wreay Group
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