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Age no barrier to success
Employers are coming to appreciate the benefits of hiring mature aged workers. They possess qualities such as loyalty, customer empathy, adaptability and life experience.
CRS Australia has some inspiring success stories with mature aged job seekers, such as Christine, who worked for 16 years in the laundry business, but struggled to find work when she moved cities.
Christine, who suffers a frozen shoulder, felt she would not get a job because of her age. ‘I thought this was going to be a waste of time because no one is going to employ a middle aged woman with no skills,’ she said.
Referred to CRS Australia by Centrelink, Christine found that being 57 was no barrier to achieving her goals. She also learned after having a chat with CRS Australia consultant Jane, she did have skills. ‘For a person who thought she had no skills I ended up with a couple of pages full of skills,’ Christine said.
‘I felt I had no confidence at all, CRS Australia was absolutely brilliant, and they really lifted my confidence.’
Christine wanted to work close to home in a retail environment. CRS Australia arranged for Christine to undertake a 12-week retail course and then assisted her
with the job search process. She applied for a job with Coles online. ‘Low and behold I get an email back saying I had an interview,’ she said.
The next step was a difficult experience for Christine. ‘I had never been to a job interview in my whole life, never!’ she said.
'Without CRS Australia I would not have done it.'Christine Fisher, former job seeker, Coles employee
CRS Australia explained the process to Christine, the questions that would be asked and provided encouragement. With new confidence, Christine attended the first interview which involved some role playing with other applicants.
‘We were put into groups and asked to deal with different scenarios and I ended up taking the lead!’ Christine said. Christine secured a second interview, but was still nervous. CRS Australia helped her prepare and after a successful interview she secured a job with Coles, which she has held for two years.
‘Without CRS Australia I would not have done it. I got everything I wanted, I work three minutes from home!’
Christine says that anyone who feels that age is a barrier to re-entering the work force should seek the assistance of CRS Australia. ‘They were absolutely brilliant, very friendly and approachable. They had respect for me,’ Christine said.