Have you ever thought to yourself, I’m too old to search for another job but too young to retire?
Or, I don’t know if I have enough experience to apply for this job?
Maybe you’re an older candidate and you had the requisite experience a few decades ago but are worried the employer won’t be able to connect the dots to the present…
Or perhaps you suspect that a recruiter looked at your resume, figured out your age based on when you went to school, assumed you didn’t have the “edge” or the stamina for the job.
Older job seekers sometimes face an added challenge. It’s helpful if you can make your case in person, but you don’t always get the chance to do that because an Applicant Tracking System may kick you out of the pipeline before you ever get to make contact with a human being. Alyss Analytics soft-skills assessment technology can now provide an opportunityto an older candidate by giving them the visibility to demonstrate their intangible attributes and prove they’re worthy of moving forward in the process.
But won’t that be awkward? You might be thinking. Or, I’m not sure I really want to do this!
Think of the first time you attended a networking event to make new contacts. That may have been awkward as well. But you pushed through, shook some hands, exchanged some business cards, and your network grew. As with anything, a little practice results in more familiarity and greater comfort.
Same with your first handful of job interviews. Those probably felt a little strained too. But you knew you had to do it and so you rose to the occasion. That’s just what you do when you’re determined to land a fantastic job!
And since web video is a now playing a big role in hiring according to Inc. magazine, it’s really not a matter of “if” candidates and companies acclimate, but “when.”
Beth Finneran writes in 7 Steps to a Killer Job Application on The Muse that “a video allows us to get a more dynamic sense of someone than the written word allows. It's difficult to get a feel for someone’s personality and creativity from a stack of resumes and cover letters—which are meant to be standardized—whereas videos bring our applicants off the page and give a more holistic picture of why they're great.” It also gives the candidate an element of control that they wouldn’t have in a live, face-to-face interview and that alone should imbue some confidence!
Video interviews are becoming commonplace and now Alyss Analytics can supplement and streamline those videos with its facial recognition and voice analysis technologies. We can discover if a candidate is anxious. We can tell if they’re sure of themselves or simply obnoxious. We can tell if they’re prepared. A 1-2 minute video will yield performance scores based on 20,000 data points, giving the employer valuable information early on in the hiring process, saving precious time and effort.
It’s a win for the mature job seeker. It’s a win for the company. If you want more information about how you can use Alyss to find those candidates whose advanced skills could make a difference for your organization, reach out and introduce yourself. There’s never a charge or a risk with a conversation. Same with a demonstration. We’re pretty proud of what we’ve created and we’re always thrilled to share it with anyone who wants to learn more. Contact taylor.stevenson@AlyssAnalytics.com