Here are four tips on how to take your job search more into your own hands.
1) A skills profile tells you who you are and what inspires you
Make a few-page skills profile about yourself, where you tell about yourself and your core skills. Tell us about your hopes and what kind of things inspire and motivate you.
Creating a skills profile is easier when you use the help of others. It is easier to express your skills together with others than alone.
– It can be surprisingly difficult for many middle-aged people, especially, to dare to say who they are, what they know and want. It can be difficult to see for yourself what I would like to do. Peer support can help with that, suggests Jukka Toivonen, chairman of the Piilo-osaajat ry.
2) From products to services, your skills
Instead of sending job applications to open positions like hundreds of others, change your job search strategy: Uncover hidden jobs. You become visible and useful to companies and organizations when you offer them your skills as a service that they need.
You don't have to do it alone to develop a service that highlights your skills, you can get help from career coaches and online job search training.
– It is easier to approach companies with a ready-made service that benefits them. Another good thing about this job search strategy is that the importance of age fades away. The most important thing is the service itself, not the age at which a person sells their skills.
3) Increase and develop your skills
Continuous learning and skills development are essential in today's working life. Are you lacking a skill or would you like to deepen your knowledge? Perhaps you are interested in writing blog posts, acting as a moderator for various events or organizing or leading a webinar.
– By doing, you learn and see what really interests you, gain experience and also add a new line of competence to your CV. Training others is also a good way to test new skills. For example, I can try out various new tools and methods in the Piilo-osaajat coaching sessions, which I use in my actual paid work, Toivonen says.
4) Network and feel better
If your job search has been unsuccessful and you have responded to dozens or even hundreds of job advertisements in vain, it is no wonder that you have started to wonder if I am of any use. Am I too old? What could I have to give?
It is not worth staying in the situation alone, but seeking out others in the same situation. Peer support comes in handy when you are having a bad day. Together, you can think about how to move forward from the situation.
– Whatever the reason for unemployment, the majority have been down or depressed at some point. It is not worth worrying alone. Networking with people in the same situation also improves well-being during the job search.
Piilo-osaajat is a national expert community that is open to all job seekers, career changers, entrepreneurs or anyone else who is simply interested in developing their skills.
Concrete ways to find a job
As a Pro member, you can get concrete advice on job searching and career planning through career counseling. If you're looking for a new job, we’ll help you stand out in your job search and show you where to find opportunities. By identifying your skills, you’ll be better able to convince others of your strengths and more prepared for unexpected changes. Coaching is provided by phone or video call.