Boomers-Stay Viable - Here's How
Jan Marino
CEO of High Gain Co ♦ Baby Boomer & Corporate Reinventionist ♦ TV & Radio Host ♦ Author/Blogger/Artist ♦ Webinista
I co-host a weekly blog-talk radio show. One of our recent guests talked about age in the workplace. She said that “if you’re over 40, forget about trying to get another job if you’re laid off”. That statement prompted me to conduct an informal survey of HR directors and recruiters. I wanted to do a reality check. I really wish I hadn’t. No one I talked to would come right out and say “yes, we discriminate against applicants over 55.” However, there are comments like “they’re overqualified” or “they’re not flexible”…all code for “they’re too old”. “They” are you and I.
I don’t know about you, but I’m fighting back and it’s not in court. I agree with a recent blog written by Liz Ryan for Forbes magazine. (http://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2014/01/31/the-ugly-truth-about-age-discrimination/). Ms. Ryan makes a great case for pain interviewing. The premise is that applicants ask questions about where the business pain really is. It’s a great approach IF you get the interview. Just getting yourself noticed can take a miracle. And getting an interview can take something beyond miracles….
So, how can we break this cycle? How can we take back our power and keep our careers going? There are three basic steps that are critical to getting through the maze of job searching today:
So, how can we break this cycle? How can we take back our power and keep our careers going? There are three basic steps that are critical to getting through the maze of job searching today:
- Assess your technical skills. If you don’t know how to use social media, learn. If you don’t know how to blog, learn. If you don’t know what an interactive resume is, ask a millennial. If you don’t know anything about mobile apps, learn about them. If you don’t have an online presence, start creating one today. If you know all these things, please help someone else. We need to help each other.
- Network until you die. Networking and connections are more important now than ever before. Organizations complain because they can’t find good, qualified people. Those same organizations often outdated or ineffective hiring processes. However, the one tried and true hiring method continues to be referrals. PLEASE don’t let your network die. You are beyond doomed if you do.
- Don’t play it safe anymore. Take chances with how you present yourself. You’re already an expert or master of something and just don’t know it. Figure out what it is and how you can solve problems for companies. Understanding how to leverage both your online skills and your interpersonal skills is one way to set your apart from the competition. Another way is to present problem-solving ideas through blogs or online discussion boards. You can also create an interactive resume - http://mashable.com/2013/10/30/interactive-resumes/#gallery/interactive-resumes/527412ab97b2f8429c002ac7. I know it take courage and I also know you have it. Show us what you can do!
Life is a Daring Adventure and I'm not done yet!
8yThanks Jan, you're so right. It still seems to come down to choosing that we're worth it. We're not the dust in the corporate office, but we have such talents to share...our way. Great post.
I agree, mostly. Since I have joined the Federal Gov't, I have noticed that there are great improvements in the Federal hiring practices -- updates, you could say. But networking inside gov't still is not a solution. You have got to hit the hot-buttons on the write-up, and check the blocks. Frankly,about the only thing that gov't recognizes is -- other gov't experience. Translating private-secotr experience -- or even military to civilian -- is very difficult, difficult, that is, to get the gov't hiring managers to 'get it.' That is what keeps some people in gov't forever -- and they get ahead, whicle having not a clue on how the outside world works! Not that staying connected via a network is a waste, it is just not a Magic Bullet.
Software Engineer at Verint Systems
8yGood article. I would also add that it's all too easy to get discouraged and give up prematurely when you hear statements like “if you’re over 40, forget about trying to get another job if you’re laid off”. It will sound like I'm saying the obvious but the following was important in my recent job search: since it takes longer and requires more effort to bounce back at 55 than at 35, expect to be turned down many times until you find the right job where you will be truly valued. I told myself that I would activate plan B after I had spent 5 times the effort that was needed to find a job when I was in my thirties. This helped me stay on track and take rejection after rejection in stride. It worked for me and it can work for you. Don't give up!
Partner @ Benefit Fixes LLC | Certified Business Performance Advisor
8yGreat advice Jan!