Rich White didn't let his age, job level or location in a small city in central Washington state daunt him when he began job hunting full time in February. At 60, he landed a vice presidency job 30 minutes from his home in Wenatchee in less than a month, beating out 65 other candidates from New York, California and Texas.

"Being older and being here didn't hurt me," he says. "I just made a better presentation than the others did."

Thanks to his persistence and sales skills, Mr. White is now vice president of sales and marketing for U.S. Castings LLC, an aluminum-castings foundry which makes precision parts for the automotive, aerospace, marine, electronics and trucking industries. Previously he was division manager for Finzer Imaging Systems in Wenatchee, but this job ended when the company closed.

Mr. White says U.S. Castings, based in Entiat, had advertised nationwide to fill the opening. He says his success came from focusing primarily on what he could do for his new employer.

"I was enthusiastic and I would tell them I could do the job," he says. "I told them about the benefits they would get from hiring me."

During his job search, Mr. White personally called on marketing vice presidents at food, packing and marketing companies he had researched. He had seven interviews and says he could have accepted two other positions. Here are some factors that helped him win an offer that he was happy to accept within 30 days:

1. Developing a customized search strategy. After researching companies in his area on the Internet, Mr. White would call on them personally to drop off his resume, regardless of whether they had openings. He would ask to speak with the vice president of marketing. If the person wasn't available, he asked for the executive's e-mail address, then wrote a note seeking an appointment. He met with about 10 executives this way.

2. Tailoring his resume to each company's needs. Mr. White altered his resume according to specific factors at each company where he applied. He toned the resume down if he thought he might be hired at a lower level than his previous roles as a division manager and business owner. "I was willing to take a step backward," he says. "I didn't want to walk in the door [looking] too overqualified." All told, he created about a dozen individualized resumes.

3. Ignoring gloomy reports that no one would hire him because of his age. From talking with hiring managers personally, Mr. White says he "was amazed" to discover how many opportunities are available for candidates who can deliver results, regardless of their ages. "In all the companies I contacted, they wanted people with whiskers, not youth. They just wanted somebody who could bring something to the party." Mr. White adds that he just hired a 70-year-old executive for a sales position at U.S. Castings who's already bringing in business.

4. Making a strong personal presentation. When dropping off his resume or interviewing, Mr. White always wore a well-tailored and stylish suit. "Your first impression is important," he says. "You should see the people who come in here to interview. Their shoes aren't shined and their clothes are all rumpled. I liken it to walking up to someone's house, and seeing a yard full of weeds outside. The inside of the house may be nice, but you still remember the weeds."

5. Casting a wide net. Mr. White also looked for positions advertised online and worked with a search firm. And he read the ads in his local newspaper, which is where he spotted the announcement about his current position.

6. Selling his ability. Prior to his interview at U.S. Castings, Mr. White researched the company and its market and then created a detailed marketing presentation describing what he could do to build business for the firm. His interview was with the company's directors, and he asked if he could make the presentation to them. When told he could, he made copies of it for the directors so they could follow along. After the presentation, he asked for the job. "They hired me on the spot," he says.