Older students and fear of job placement
I frequently encounter a "fear of success" phenomenon with my older learners. I teach at a private trade school and the program I teach can place almost 90% of our graduates. We offer assistance with resumes and placement.
With older students I have noticed some resistance to the idea of a resume and a job interview. They come from a time when a "handshake" was enough. With encouragement they will head-down this new world job seeking road, but many are hesitant and procrastinate to the point where they may miss some great job opportunities.
Any ideas to help these students overcome their fears?
Janice,
This is such a great service to provide because as you know so many students do not know how to present themselves as viable candidates for employment. By helping them in this area you are facilitating a big next step in their career development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
We offer a course called professional development which helps to put those live experiences in order so that they can create the best possible resume
Darryl,
Good analysis of how different generations of learners respond to the instructional process and increase their career value. Your point about knowing to do job searches is a good one because this process has changed so much over the past few years.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I teach Computer Networking and I have students of all ages. The older students usually buckle down and get the good grades and are very aware of what it takes to succeed in the world. The I.T. world doesn't give people over 50 a great chance to get hired, but the students know with good grades and their certifications, they have an advantage.
The older students do need to learn the online hiring process more than the younger students.
I have sat down with my "older" students and held a mock interview. Advised them to speak with confidence, control their body language, eye contact and sell themselves . Most important was to relax and speak with this person who might be offering them a job. Be confident with the knowledge that they have acquired, be upbeat and positive. It's only natural to be nervous and that's ok!
DAVID,
One method I have used with this student group is to bring in one of their peers that has graduated and is currently enjoying success in the workplace. I have the individual walk them through the job seeking process and how it is currently being done. I know you have already explained this to them but there is something about a peer explaining it to them that makes it more real or this has been my experience. The I do role playing with them to get them comfortable with the process and this seems to reduce their fears and get them more on-board with the current way of securing employment.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
