This newsletter is sponsored by 55/Redefined

Tired of the endless job-hunting maze?

Hello

Hope you are enjoying some late September sunshine – and that this missive will help bring some brightness, especially if you are job hunting.

First, I want to provide reassurance if you are stuck in an endless round of sending online applications and getting nowhere. When I was made redundant I applied for jobs online – jobs that seemed like they were written with me in mind. I never heard back from ANY of them. Wow was it depressing!

What made it even worse was on a couple of them a headhunter subsequently rang up and asked if I was interested in EXACTLY the position I had applied for online. My carefully honed CV had assumedly gone straight into the virtual bin.

How algorithms hurt us

The truth is the algorithms out there are just totally rigged against anyone over about 35. Don’t believe me? Then just remember that terrible career chart from INDEED – one of the biggest online recruiters – describing everyone over 50 as being in the "decline" zone of their career chart. (There was huge outcry, led by one of our NOON Queenagers Sarah Taylor Phillips. Her post about it went viral and the company had to take it down. Here's a screenshot – if you missed the story, you can see it HERE.)

Are companies afraid of experience?

Though we won a victory on that one, the broader battle against ageism – particularly in recruitment – continues. Just looking through LinkedIn makes depressing reading: So many posts warn older workers to "use an ageless picture" on their CV, or to be careful "not to put any dates on your degrees or qualifications". Those kinds of posts are probably meant well. They are trying to help Queenagers game the system – but the ageism these practices reflect is not just unfair, it’s illegal, despite being widespread. So, of course, there has to be a better way…

That’s why the NOON Jobs Board is so essential. Every month we feature jobs which are actively hiring the over-50s. No CV doctoring here: The companies we feature WANT you for your experience. And it's not surprising.

Did you know that midlife women are the best at managing complex change according to The Harvard Business Review? That doesn’t surprise me. At NOON we know Queenagers are Forged in Fire – our wisdom comes from all we have seen and lived through. 

Our NOON Jobs Board is powered by our friends at 55/Redefined, who are trying hard to make more companies what they call "age-inclusive". I’m really proud that their founder, my mate Lyndsey Simpson (another Queenager entrepreneur), has just raised £3 million to expand the business globally. Fittingly that's happened in the month that 55/Redefined celebrates its 3rd birthday.

Our newest featured job openings

This week one of our featured jobs is a great opportunity for one of you to go and work for them as ... drum roll ... an Age Diversity Consultant. I'm sure there are loads of you who would be qualified!

They say: “55/Redefined is expanding and this role is perfect for a business coach who wants to work in the age space." The Age Diversity Consultant will focus on learning and development. "If you have professional coaching qualifications, experience in client management, workshop delivery and want to work with a company that wants people to be inspired not retired, read on."

Fancy something a bit more hands-on? How about helping Lidl build new stores and expand across the UK – they're recruiting for 8 roles nationwide. One of their Queenagers, Maria, from Lidl explains: "Working in construction is very interesting and dynamic, especially as a woman. There are lots of opportunities to engage with people from different backgrounds and gain technical knowledge. But most importantly to learn to manage people who do not have the same views as myself. There’s never a boring day!”

Or what about a job in ceramics? If you are a pottery lover with with sales flare who loves an expo or exhibition, why not combine your enthusiasm for the craft and design AND get paid for it? Plus this company is advertising for Director-level opportunities in London and Brighton for people for whom trade shows, conferences and the B2B world and networking is calling. Find out more.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the Queenager opportunities out there this month. Check out the other roles on the NOON Jobs Board (powered by 55/Redefined). Remember: We only list roles where the hiring managers are actively seeking experienced candidates. So there's quality over quantity and reassurance that your application will be taken seriously – not sent into the great virtual bin in the sky!

So make yourself a nice cup of tea or coffee, click the button below and browse knowing that your "Forged in Fire" wisdom and experience are going to be celebrated by these employers. Now, isn’t that a relief?

All the best – and Happy Birthday, 55/Redefined!

Eleanor