Being an intern at 70 years old

The film “The Intern” released at the cinema early October starring Robert De Niro raises the question of senior employment.

Starting a new job can be challenging, especially if you are 70 and already retired. Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro), a 70-year-old widower plays the role of a senior intern in an online fashion company. Not easy for him to melt into the web generation and co-work with digital native people in an open-space office. The new intern works closely with Anne Hathaway, the young CEO of the startup. The clash of generations throughout the film raises the benefits of generational diversity in companies.

For senior candidates, it can be difficult to find a new job. Studies show that 36.4% of job seekers over the age of 55 have been looking for jobs for 27 weeks or more compared to 29.9% for candidates between 25 and 54 years old. Don’t be afraid, these discouraging facts don’t apply if your job search is carried out in the right way.

Here are some tips to help you ramp up your chances of being hired:

1- Be up-to-date on professional networks
Studies show that 77% of recruiters use social networks for new employees. Your LinkedIn profile is your living resume. Choose a recent profile photo and remember to update your education and experience. Don’t hesitate to showcase any elements of your professional life such as PowerPoint presentations, speeches you have given… Create a network by sending out invitations to people you have worked for and with.

2- Facelift your resume
Your CV mustn’t be a list of job titles and dates: it must tell a story. Add as much qualitative metrics as possible: sales increase, cost cuts, projects delivered months ahead schedule… This way recruiters will be able to have proof of what you’re worth.

3- Network like mad
Don’t forget that your network is everywhere: your friends, friends of friends, family, kid’s parents… Don’t hesitate to get out of the house and attend meetups, events to seek out for any opportunity. You never know who will know someone who is hiring.

4- Image matters
No need to get a Botox injection to look younger. Feeling youthful and confident will send out a positive attitude that is important when joining a team.

5- Expand horizons
Finding a new job is not only about replacing the job you had before. Take a look at your skill set and past experience and you will find out that there are lots of different fields in which you can work. Another lesson that can be learnt from the film is how enriching an intern can be for more senior employees…