I'm a 50 year-old career changer – what advice do you have for me as I look for a new job?
BOSSING IT I'm a 50 year-old career changer – what advice do you have for me as I look for a new job?
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APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions.
Here, Karren gives her expert advice to a reader who is looking for help on writing a CV.
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Karren Brady gives you career advice
Q) I am 50 and have been at my current job for 24 years.
Over the past few years, there have been a lot of changes at the company and I think it's time I moved on, and also look at a complete career change.
I have excellent audio-typing skills and have recently completed a Microsoft course.
But I haven't written a CV or cover letter in years, so I need some help with how to do this.
I am also not sure if my age is an advantage or disadvantage when looking for a job. Do you have any advice?
Name and address withheld
A) First, congratulations on 24 years at your current company – it says a lot about your loyalty, hard work and professionalism.
A career change now is a brave and exciting step, so well done on making this decision.
Updating your CV might feel overwhelming at first, but start with simple and straightforward actions, such as listing your skills and achievements, like your Microsoft course and audio-typing skills.
Focus on your transferable strengths, including communication, organisation and adaptability, and be sure to highlight any other recent training to show you're up to date and eager to grow in a new role.
When writing your cover letter, keep the tone confident, clear and genuine.
Apprentice star Karren Brady terrified after burglar launched FOUR raids on £6m home in 16 hours taking designer gear
Tailor each letter to the specific job you're applying for by connecting the wealth of experience and skills you clearly have to exactly what the role requires.
Focus on your achievements, rather than just responsibilities, and use keywords from the job description to help your application get noticed.
Explain why the role excites you and finish with a confident invitation for an interview.
As for your age, it's far from being a disadvantage – employers value experience!
Got a careers question for Karren?
Email bossingit@fabulousmag.co.uk.
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