Want The Best Career Advice? Don't Do this: The 4 Things Older Job Seekers Are Doing Wrong

By J. Navarra

Jan 29, 2016 10:30 AM EST

Previously, an article was written about how to make long-term career goals but sometimes there are things you probably missed because you're too busy to notice. Here are four things you should correct when you're a tenured worker in a working environment or if you're an older job seeker.

Kerry Hannon, an AARP Job Expert, is convinced that older and tenured job applicants are doing something wrong but this can be fixed.

They are not stepping up to the plate - It applies to both new applicants and tenured ones. If it takes a while to get a job and/or move up then you have to invest in it. Get your head in the game. Hannon's advice? Don't just noodle the idea. If you want a new job, get serious. Yes, it takes time - 10 months, on average, for someone over 55, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But, like anything else, if you want to be successful, you've got to put your heart into it.
They're setting their money expectations too high - You may get frustrated because your employer isn't paying you enough for your experience. This is a common problem for older workers. This could have been avoided if you set your expectations right. What is more important right now? Do the benefits, health insurance, etc, outweight the base pay? Don't get so caught up in prestige, salaries and titles that you become blind to prospects and great opportunities to move in new directions.
They're not keeping their skills up to date - Jobs now may require the proper and most recent updated skillsets. Just because you've graduated in engineering 10 years ago, that doesn't mean what you learned back then is still applicable. It can get frustrating to spend extra time and effort to learn new things but this is important especially if the job description requires specific skillsets. Learning will make you move forwrard.
They're not using the best job-search tool - Though online job searches and the local job ads are helpful, networking can also be the best tool to find a job. Tap your relatives and friends and see if they have sniffed something in your line of career. Or maybe join an association or club that also is in line with your passion and skills. Sometimes going back to your university alum can be helpful too. The fact is, networking is helpful when searching for a job and even during the actual job.

Kerry Hannon is an expert in career transition and writes for Forbes and New York Times with a profile under her belt that acknowledges her expertise. So you can say she knows what she's talking about.