Tips for Older Workers Interviewing for a Temp Job

Nancy Anderson
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Whether you're a retiree looking to fill your free time with something meaningful or a seasoned employee hoping to spend a few more years in the workforce, a temp job may present the perfect opportunity. While an older worker can have a tough time convincing a recruiting manager that he's deserving of the job, these seven tips can help.

1. Do Your Research

At a temp job, you're not likely to become immersed in the company culture or move up the corporate ladder. Rather than researching the organization's employees on LinkedIn, review the job description to determine what the employer wants in an employee, and explain to the hiring manager why you're capable of fulfilling the duties.

2. Prepare for the Interview

Just as you do for any job interview, take the time to practice common interview questions, but hone your responses to suit the position for which you're applying. The hiring manager is not likely interested in hearing about your long-term career aspirations, so demonstrate why this temp job is ideal for you in the short term.

3. Display Your Confidence

Tell the hiring manager why you're more qualified than younger candidates. Explain that you're a confident employee who works independently to complete the task assigned and doesn't back down from a challenge.

4. Brag About Your Skills

Don't be afraid to toot your own horn. Tell the hiring manager about your ability to be flexible, take on new tasks and work with others on a team — all skills that are important for an employee taking on a temp job.

5. Tout Your Experience

Talk about the positions you've held in the past that can contribute to your success in this job. Don't just mention work experience; use examples from your life experiences, volunteer opportunities and more.

6. Think Quickly

When it comes to a temp job, there's not a lot of time to waste or overthink the decision. Employers want an employee who is willing to step right into the position and get to work. Be ready to accept the position and start the job at a moment's notice.

7. Demonstrate Your Adaptability

Describe for the hiring manager an instance when you were able to be adaptable, whether it was facing a new work environment, taking on different duties or working with a variety of clients. This is a skill that bodes well for any employee taking on a temp job, as the terms can often be unpredictable.

Older workers have just as much — or more — to offer employers as their younger counterparts; it's just a matter of convincing hiring managers. When you're trying to land a temp job, follow these tips to make sure you use your experience, qualifications and personality to your advantage.


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  • Gwendolyn W.
    Gwendolyn W. •

    Great!!

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Mark thanks for your comment. It depends upon the company I guess. Some companies don't really have a hang up when it comes to age while others will only choose younger candidates to interview. They will never come out and say that it's age, you just will never hear from them. Or you will get a terrible recruiter like the one that hung up on you. Some companies welcome the older employee because they know that they won't have to babysit you - that you know what you are doing and come in and get busy right away whereas a younger employee might not. So it would depend upon the company and the position.

  • Mark J.
    Mark J. •

    My opinion based on my experience so far is that age is an issue, of course they can't legally say "age", but some recruiting services have actually called me and hung up when I told them what date I graduated from high school....something's not adding up....

  • JACK L.
    JACK L. •

    I can be left alone to preform any time of work as ling as the work is explained to me.

  • Jusri D.
    Jusri D. •

    Thank you for the tips. Teaching however, is a profession that has a space for older and seasons' professors. Unlike many other professions, a well experienced professor or senior lecturer can cotribue

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Renee thanks for your follow up to @Janet's comment. It's tough out there - still. But truly things are getting better. We don't have a choice but to keep on trying. Set yourself up in a routine where you call all 5 agencies at least once a week. Make sure that you are following up on any job postings that you possibly can. Make phone calls to the company to find out where things stand with your resume or a follow up after an interview. Not going to guarantee that you will get anymore satisfaction by trying to call than email, etc. but at least you can try. You indicated that you are on LinkedIn, etc. Are you really utilizing it to its fullest potential? Are you networking? Are you looking for folks who are in a like position and trying to get in touch with them to see if they know of any job openings? Are you attending in-person networking events in your area? What about job fairs? Many folks feel that job fairs are obsolete but truly they are alive and very active. What about any organizations that you might have joined for accountants? Good way to network there, too. In the meantime, while you are job searching, are you seeking out ways to add more skills to your repertoire? There are many free courses on the Internet. So everyone works at this differently. I keep a spreadsheet and update it daily when I am job seeking. I follow up until I can't follow up anymore and then I officially list that job as dead on my spreadsheet. You have to be as aggressive as possible without crossing the line into being a stalker. Remember, too, that although not legal, age is also a factor. You need to make your resume as "young" as possible. Only include pertinent information and, if you can, limit that info to just the past 10 years. Keep your resume to one page or two at the most and make sure that you are sending a cover letter unless the posting requests that you don't. Make sure that the cover letter is not about you but about what them -about how you can make their company better. And make sure that you have the best possible resume, too. There are many resume services around - including the service offered at Beyond. What about at your alma mater? Get in touch with the career services department and schedule a meeting to get help with your resume, interviewing skills and so on. Hope some of this helps. All the best to you.

  • Renee B.
    Renee B. •

    Janet I get your situation completely. I have gone into brick and mortar employment agencies. As a matter of fact I am on their list for any potential opportunities, 5 agencies! I am more that willing to go into another field, my skills in accounting can work for any industry. I have interviewed well on all 8 interviews! Even told that by potential employer, but yet they choose another candidate. WHY? I can only wonder if it is Age ? my age is 59. Its been 5 months. I have also lowered my pay expectations to .... almost minimum wage. After the next month and losing Unemployment benefits I may have to go to Retail. How do I explain that no one in my field is hiring me. I am scared to death. And also I am on Linked IN, Career Builder, Indeed, Zip Recruiter networking with everyone! So .....?

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Janet thanks for your comment. So sorry that things are not going so well. I am with you! I hate it when you jump through all of the hoops and do everything right, only to be shut out without an explanation. Do you have any actual brick and mortar temp agencies in your area? If so, I would just walk in instead of trying to call. Sometimes it works to your advantage. Make sure that you have your portfolio with you - including your resume, a list of companies you have worked for - complete with dates, supervisors name, tasks, etc.; have your reference list, too and any other pertinent information. Take the bull by the horns so to speak. Make sure that you are networking also. Three years is a long time to be looking @Janet. In those three years, have you been keeping up with technology? Have you been looking for another career perhaps? What about taking some courses in your field? There are many quick and free courses that you can do online and then you can add those to your resume. It helps to freshen it up and bring your resume back to the top of the list again. Make sure that you update your resume on any job posting site, too. Are you a member of LinkedIn? Been networking there? Are you reaching out to any past coworkers to see if they may know of a position? I hate to be the bearer of bad news but, sadly, the longer you are without a job, the longer it is until you find one. This isn't always the case but the majority of time - it is. Have you done any volunteer work? Sometimes just doing that will open up many new doors - doors that you maybe never thought about exploring. Hope some of this helps. We wish you all the best.

  • JANET P.
    JANET P. •

    I can't even get a temp employee agency to call me. Basically got one call went in and talked to them about a position they followed up with me once. I even filled out all the paperwork. I sent emails and left voicemail messages. I never heard from the recruiter again. I also got a job interview first interview went great. They called me back for an interview follow up the next day based upon the references they spoke with. Met with the owner and marketing director. They told me they would have a decision by the end of the week. I was told I was on the shortlist. I didn't hear anything from them, so I emailed my contact and she apologized for not getting back with me. They received my thank you cards. Which by the way I sent to three of the people that interviewed me. My contact said the owner should be making a decision by the end of the day that Monday. I was told I was still one of the strongest candidate. I never heard from the company again. I have been searching for work for over three years interviews are hard to come by.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Yvette thanks for your comment. Maybe some places will discriminate but it would appear that the number of temp workers is growing and will continue to grow. Companies love temp workers because they can get the work done without having to come out of pocket to pay for healthcare or any other benefits. Seniors seem to be a favorite of temp agencies today. They want something to keep them busy and the agencies are more than willing to submit them to the companies because they can usually get an older worker for less money.

  • Yvette T.
    Yvette T. •

    I am afraid that they will still discriminate against older people. That is just my belief.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Blaine thanks ever so much for your comment. So very true. Job searching is a full-time job in itself. To find a job, you have to put forth the effort and take the time necessary. So many job seekers will tell me that they have submitted hundreds of resumes with no response. The red flag - hundreds! That means that they wrote up a "general" resume and cover letter and are blasting job posters with it. More than likely they aren't even making it through the gatekeeper. It's best to apply to one or two positions each day - ones that you want and for which you are a good fit. That way you can take the time and give it the attention it deserves. I totally agree with the mock interview. Get a trusted friend to tape it while asking questions. You could do a search on interview questions and have your friend ask those questions while taping you. Most people have no idea how they look when they are talking. It's kind of funny to see yourself if you have never done it before. I was horrified the first time I tried this - many years ago. We emphasize, all of the time, to dress for success - to dress for the job you want, not the job you have (or don't have, in this case). Many articles regarding interviews are posted here. Check them out. And yes, @Blaine - as a job seeker, if you don't treat the search as a job, you won't get that job - won't get any job. Being a temp is a great way to get your foot in the door. Thanks again for your great comment.

  • Blaine V.
    Blaine V. •

    Hi Nancy, I as a hobby find work for my out of work friends... I enjoy the job hunting... I recently found out that my job was closing so I had to put my own advise to work... In one month I been offer a great job. I am also 56. All your advice is good and they should be written down and followed everyday. Job seekers should also tape a mock interview on their Ipad and see what they look like, dress modern and check everyday on the job web sites. Look for job openings where the market is going up and are is desperate need...like teaching. And lastly don't be picky....get money coming in THEN find what you really want to do

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Renee thanks for the follow up comment. It sounds like you are doing everything that you can to find a new position. I do understand about paying bills and being able to live. So question back to you - have you considered another career? Have you worked in a different position/environment in the past? Many job seekers get caught up with job titles, too and only look for a position with the same title as the one that they held previously. Maybe try a different direction. For example, I was a business analyst eight years ago and now I am working for a job site as an Community Editor. Never expected this but it's the way things fell out for me. I looked for a position that was completely different for me and I love it. Also, have you considered looking at some non-profits? Sometimes the unexpected can open up new avenues of opportunities. All the best.

  • Renee B.
    Renee B. •

    Nancy - I am listed with 10, yes 10 local agencies. I cannot afford to use only one And I follow up with them weekly. Also I am looking on my own. I do understand exactly what you are saying - I am trying on my own in every which way I can, going to local company websites searching their careers, seeing if I might find anything. I have a resume out on Career Builder, Indeed, LinkedIn, etc. a few others too many to remember. I do understand I have to lower my expectations, but I do have to be able to pay my bills also. I have called/emailed all my friends and friends/friends and family, etc.. Still looking for other ideas?.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Renee thanks for your comment. Many job seekers are in the boat with you. So I am curious - since your interviews have all been set up through an agency, are you getting feedback from the agency as to why you are not getting the job? Personally I would dump the agency and find another one. Did you have to sign anything stating that you would not use another agency? If not, go for it. If you did, then let them know that you are no longer going to use them. They are there to work for you, not the other way around. Are you job searching on your own - outside of the agency? Never leave your future in the hands of one agency - not if you can help it. I do understand about lowering expectations. I am sure that many of us are living with salaries that are much less than they were 10 years ago. I know that I am. But I adjusted my budget to fit my salary and am just grateful for a job. So, to answer your question - find another agency; network and job hunt on your own. @Huberto thanks for your comment. All the best.

  • HUBERTO M.
    HUBERTO M. •

    Thank you for the tip. l am a retiree 66 years old but still capable and physically fit to work. l want to keep busy and hate staying at home all day doing nothing except for some houseworks.

  • Renee B.
    Renee B. •

    Nancy, I'd love to follow up on those interviews, but they were through agencies. And they do NOT want you to purse the actual employer. Also they have this thing where they don't want you to use anyone else but them. So you don't duplicate yourself, well I can't afford that so I am sure I have doubled up at some point. Still trying to keep hopeful that something is out there for me. I have lowered my expectations on pay, putting myself back at what I made 10 years ago. Any other ideas?

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    Thanks for the comments. @Renee it is tough to be sure. Can I ask if you followed up after the interviews to find out why? I can not guarantee that you will get a response better than "another applicant had exactly what we were looking for" but it's worth a try. You need to know if it's because of your age or for another reason. @Julio did you get in touch with the interviewer and find out why you were not selected? They won't always answer but it's always worth a try. All the best in your endeavors.

  • Julio S.
    Julio S. •

    Thank you Nancy for posting these helpful and positive suggestions for us jobseeker's. I really needed this information and immediately called back my last interviewer. lol Thanks again.

  • Renee B.
    Renee B. •

    Vince A. and Larry J. I too am 59 and I have a good 10 years work in me . I never wanted to retire, and now since laid off I have been put in this position. I have gone on several interview that have gone well, but no job offers. Makes me wonder why - what I said wrong - why someone else was a better fit ? younger - maybe. Still plugging away. I don't want part time @ $10 hr, yes better than $0, it won't make my budget - so I keep on keeping on.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Maggie thanks for your comment and suggestion. Great idea if you can find a workshop. Also, you can contact your college's career services and ask for assistance with interviewing. They will hold mock interviews with you and help you learn how to talk about yourself - tell your story.

  • Maggie T.
    Maggie T. •

    As a student of Improv, I recommend finding a workshop in your area. Improv will train you to be confident, think quickly and be adaptable. It also lets you practice bragging about your skills and to tout your experience.

  • Tamika H.
    Tamika H. •

    Thank you!!! I work at a job on an academic schedule and I look for jobs with temporary agencies

  • TRACY JONES
    TRACY JONES •

    Thanks for the tips. They are appreciated.

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