THE ONLY PERMANENT THING IN LIFE IS CHANGE ITSELF

This post tries to do two things basically. First, to update job seekers on the new legislation that could make their intense search a thing of the past pretty soon. Secondly, it gives an insight into what to do to sharpen your resume or curriculum vitae while job hunting. Good luck!

[Few countries are now unaffected by some form of workplace law which prevents age being a factor in considering hiring, firing or promoting employees.

While many first-time job seekers, and those in their first or second jobs might think the new legislation might only affect their older and wiser colleagues – or those closer to retirement – the new laws will probably make a difference to all of working age.

The first challenge for first time applicants, or those wishing to move further up the ladder, will be interpreting job ads under the new systems. While in the past, it was pretty easy to spot those aimed at graduates, or first and second jobbers – companies shackled by age discrimination legislation will find it difficult to indicate if positions are suitable for younger employees, rather than those with experience.

It will mean reading further down the advert than just the job title and checking the fine print in the job specification to see if the role fits.

International recruitment consultants are advising their clients to rewrite job specifications. They say references to age should be removed, job requirements should no longer be based on experience not relevant to the job and that age and/or culture fit can no longer be a reason for rejecting candidates.

With references to age out and firms trying hard not to lay themselves open to discrimination claims, younger candidates and graduates might also find those job they traditionally saw as their domain snapped up by older employees – either looking to downsize, change career or just return to the workplace after a break. No longer will “too much experience” be a bar to a junior position.

The process of applying for jobs might see a change as well. A recent survey carried out by project management specialist Arras People showed 40% of applicants in the UK aren’t aware of the new law, and 60% of the respondents expected recruitment agencies or Human Resources departments to make the necessary adjustments to resumes to make them age discrimination legislation complaints, before assessors got their hands on them.

But having your resume and covering letter “censored” by an agency or HR department might see some of your greatest strengths and achievements left on the cutting room floor. It’s far better to take the laws into account when you put your resume together and make sure it’s compliant and complete when it arrives on the interviewers desk.]

SOURCE: http://www.imakenews.com/shellcareersnewsletter/e_article000686213.cfm?x=b8CsNJp,b5yRPrNc