Apply in the boss’s time. That is what three colleagues from Omroep Brabant will be doing in the coming weeks. All three have a ‘frayed edge’ so that they do not automatically end up at the top of the pile of applicants. You can follow their application adventure in the four-part weekly podcast ‘I still count’.
Bureau editor Hans Janssen is 64, reporter René van Hoof is 61 years old and editor Femke de Jong has had MS for 23 years. These three Omroep Brabant colleagues want to know whether they still count in the labor market. For years, people over 50 and people with disabilities stood on the sidelines. Is this still the case in this tight labor market, they wonder.
“The elderly and people with disabilities remain a difficult group on the labor market.”
The best way to get an answer to this is to apply yourself and see what happens. The three will do this and their experiences will be incorporated into the podcast ‘I still count’. While applying for jobs, they receive tips from experts, because the last time they applied was decades ago. What’s in your CV again?
In the first episode, UWV employee Remco Borrani helps the applicants on their way. Remco has worked for the UWV for ten years and specializes in job seekers with disabilities. According to him, it is becoming increasingly easier for older people and people with disabilities to find a job, but it remains a difficult group.”
“You are in a luxurious position, you can say ‘no’ and be critical.”
Remco emphasizes in this episode that the three are not your average applicants. “You are in a luxurious position. You already have a job and don’t have to leave. You can also say ‘no’. If you don’t have a job, it is a lot more difficult. You can be much less critical. The stress and pressure that feeling unemployed to find work is huge.”
Applying starts with finding a vacancy. Hans sees this podcast as an opportunity to completely change course. “I’m going to apply for a conductor job at the NS.” René looks more in the familiar corner and sees himself as an advisor. Femke tries to capitalize on her MS experience and responds to the vacancy ‘medical editor at MS.nl’.
“Unemployed people often apply for jobs in which they have worked and that is not always smart.”
UWV man Remco was happy with Hans’ choice for conductor. “You often see that unemployed people start looking in the area in which they have always worked. But there are not always jobs available. If you want work, you also have to be flexible in your preferences. If you search for ‘promising professions’ you will find looking for a list of jobs that are in high demand.”
In the meantime, the chefs at Omroep Brabant are getting a bit nervous. Missing three permanent employees with a wealth of experience in this tight labor market would be a loss, in addition to the fact that they are sympathetic colleagues of course.
Click on the link below to watch the first episode of ‘Do I still count? to listen to. Press follow immediately so you don’t miss an episode.
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