As the population in India grows the problem of employment also increases because there are limited jobs and also there are young job seekers who are competing with experienced job seekers as well. Global economic instability also increases unemployment.
These are the reason due to which now’s a day people with different age groups and experiences apply for one job and companies have more options to choose from before but it also raises the question of how to compete with youn job applicants?
Reasons for Competition in Jobs – A Battle for Careers:
Generally, more qualified people apply for the job they’re overqualified for and then they have to compete with qualified candidates. Sometimes it happens due to personal reasons and other time due to professional reasons but whatever the reason is a person needs to be well prepared if he/she wants to compete with young job seekers who may be more suitable for the job then experienced one and experienced candidate generally cost more to a company then younger one so be prepared.
1. Globalization:
Globalization causes a major stir in terms of job, so many people choosing a different area of work than the area they are experts in. opportunity from all over the world presents itself on your doorstep and candidates from different age groups working for a single profile so it causes competition between elder and younger candidates.
2. Economic instability:
Economic instability forces elder people to choose a job for which they are overqualified. Sometimes it happens out of interest and sometimes due to financial reasons. But all in all, there is competition between age groups for the common job.
3. Freedom:
In older times people tend to stick to one job throughout life but this trend is changing with great speed and people are less hesitate while choosing work from other areas and openly accepting the challenge it gives them and the thrill. It happens quite often that people choose to work they love the work they currently do.
4. Open mindset:
An open mindset also helps experienced people to choose a job from different areas and expertise. Experiment or problem motivates them to choose the different stream of work.
Experienced employees easily work under younger ones because the level of education makes the difference between their post and people accept these changes, on the other hand, it increases competition to the new level.
5. Population:
The number of people increasing at a fast pace than several jobs and this creates instability in jobs and working criteria. People choose jobs less relevant to them or the job they overqualified for. they still choose to do the job because they have no other option.
While people are struggling with younger applicants to get the job they have to prepare well and work a little hard to get the job. Few things can help and prepare them for the challenge.
How to Distinguish Yourself from the Young Job Seekers Market?
If a person applying for the job lower then his/her qualification than being prepared. Preparation before applying for the job is a must. Do homework and get ready for the challenge. Preparing in advance helps you a lot.
You can easily check the pros and cons beforehand and then make a plan according to work and need. Preparing in advance also gives you enough time to get enough information about the organization, job, latest technology, and current trends
There are a few steps to prepare for the job you are overqualified for:
1. Resume:
Resumes for any job plays a very important role for a candidate. It’s a window between employee and employer. Candidates judged based on their resume so prepare resume carefully and provide accurate information as well as a brief description and keep things less complicated.
An interesting resume always catches attention so be a little more creative while drafting a resume. Highlight your skills and demonstrate your experience.
2. Experience:
Experience can play an important role in getting the job but it always depends on how effectively you can use it for your benefit. Demonstrate your experience; use your skills to impress and make it your plus point rather than you are negative.
Your experience can be your advocate if and only you use your skills in the right manners and helps you in more ways than you can imagine.
3. Attitude:
Your attitude can be your worst enemy so works on your attitude before you apply for the job. A Negative attitude is like a plague; it can harm you in more ways then you imagine on the other hand Positive attitude always bring positivism in your life. It can help you in achieving the right job. A positive attitude also shows that you are ready to take on the world headfirst.
4. Communication:
Good communication skills always come handy when trying to get a job. Good communication skills in the workplace or out of the workplace will help you in getting the job as well as maintain a job.
Most of the jobs require good communication skills because of globalization. Communication skills show your strength as well as weakness, so use communication skills for your benefit rather than as your negative point.
These steps help you in preparing for the competition and motivate you to achieve the goal.
Things You Must Do When Competing with Younger Applicants:
Competition is everywhere; each step you took you will face competition. So many candidates are applying for one job and you are easily replaceable by younger and better candidates. While competing with younger candidates there are few things a candidate must do before the interview.
1. Contacts:
Your previous job and contact you make there can help you in getting the current job. Use contacts to help you, to promote you and for references as well. Your contacts can recommend you for the job and give you important suggestions and advice so use your contact and get in touch with your previous colleagues, friends, acquaintances and get an update on the market and industries for better jobs.
2. Technology:
New technology comes and goes but to get the job and compete with younger candidates you must well aware of new technologies and update your skills according to the current requirement.
Learning new technology and getting updates on the latest trends always help in securing the job. Get the idea of how things work in a new environment and what are the latest feature in the market as well as the latest job openings.
3. Adaptability:
Be ready to adapt to new changes fast and learn. Use your confidence and experience as a tool to show that you are ready to take on new challenges and will adapt to a younger corporate environment. Adaptability helps you in learning and makes it easier to accept changes. It always works in your favor if you are ready to adapt and learn from your younger ones.
4. Flexibility:
Do not let your ego gets the best of you. Maintain flexibility while discussing salary, benefits, and services. You are more experienced but competing for the job you are overqualified so be a little more flexible in terms of salary and benefits. It happens that salary may not match your expectations or incentives are not as according to the work so discuss the possibilities openly but maintain flexibility.
5. Highlight your skills:
Experience person over inexperienced one has an advantage of their knowledge. Experienced candidate can easily highlight skills which can be used in more than one job like writing and motivational skills. Flaunt your knowledge as it makes you more appropriate for the job but does not overdo. Skills you learn while working always help you in securing another job because today’s time demand you’re best at all the time.
6. Punctuality:
Punctuality always helps you in scoring a positive point while searching for a job. people who respect time always consider the better candidate to choose and every organization wants their candidate who respects time because time is money in this globalization where the delay or lack of response may cost you the post you are working hard for. So be punctual and respect time.
Keeps these few things in mind while you are seeking the job you are overqualified.
Things Never to Do when competing with younger Job Applicants:
Competition with the younger job sekeers is a risk you have to take to get the job. While competing with younger candidate there are few things you should never do otherwise they can cost you your job or can harm you in the long run.
1. Overconfidence:
Overconfidence can easily jeopardize your job. The experienced candidate generally thought they are better than a younger candidate because they have more working experience and knowledge but the reality does not work as you think. There is a younger candidate who can do better than you in less amount and time so keep your confidence level in check.
2. Ego:
Ego inexperienced candidates make them blind and they make a grave mistake by thinking that they are the best or they are nonreplaceable but there is no truth behind these assumptions and there are candidates out there who can work better than you. Do talk with other candidate and always keep in your mind that there are so many candidates ready to take your place. You are easily replaceable.
3. Underestimate:
Do not underestimate yourself. Self loathing and lack of confidence make you unsuitable for the job. Be confident and fight for your place with dedication and determination. Negativity in your behavior shrinks your chances of getting a job never underestimate yourself.
Avoid these things to get the job because no one wants an incompetent employee, and they want your best all the time.
Dos and Don’ts While Competing with Younger Job Applicants:
There are few Dos and Don’ts one should follow while competing with younger job applicants as younger candidates have more caliber to work long hour and for a long period, on the other hand, CTC for a younger candidate is less than for experienced one that makes the competition tough so follow these Dos and Don’ts.
Dos:
1. Keep your attitude positive: as it will keep you positive and give you a better mindset and help in preparing for the job.
2. Adapt new technology: technology is an important part of our life so be updated on the latest technology and trends.
3. Be more techno savvy: use computer equipment and gadgets to help you in landing more jobs than you think.
4. Improve communication: improve your communication skills as they are as important as knowledge of computers in the present time.
5. Productivity: be more productive and innovative in your work.
6. Punctuality: it is one of the important things that should always keep in mind that be punctual and always be on time.
Don’ts:
1. Overconfidence: it works like poison for you so avoid overconfidence.
2. Underestimate: never underestimate yourself as there is no age to do any work.
3. Late response: never be late in your response as it will leave a negative remark on your profile.
4. False information: never lie about your work and experience as it may cost you your job and bad publicity.
5. Capability: do not apply for the job you are not capable of as it will decrease your productivity and result in the lack of interest in the job.
Conclusion:
In the age of globalization where differences between age do not matter and people from different age groups choose to work on low profile jobs or jobs, they are overqualified for but it never stops people from applying for the job.
Another reason for such action is the instability of the global economy and increasing population which results in the current situation. To compete with the young job seekers generation, experienced candidates need to work on improving the different areas and adapting new skills so that they can secure the job they are looking for.
Learning new things, use of technology, great communication skills and flexibility with a positive attitude can help in achieving such a goal and getting the job they want. Always keep in mind that it doesn’t matter you have more experience because there are people ready to do the job at a lower price than you and for long hours as well and can serve the company for more years than you.
