15 Tips for the 50+ Job Hunter

If you were born between 1946 and 1964, you are known as a Baby Boomer and age wise in 2010, you are somewhere between 46 and 64. In my practice, I work with a multi-generational client base, including many Boomers. A question I am often asked:

"I am ___ (fill in age) and wondering if I am too old to find a job?"

Routinely, I kindly offer something like:

"Help me understand -- do you think you are too old to find a job?"

Client responses vary:

* I don't think so, but I'm not sure

* I don't know

* Maybe so

If you are 25, 35, 45, 56, 64, 74, or 84, in my opinion, you are not too old to find w - o - r - k or a j - o - b as long as you have:

* the drive to do so;

* the will to want to;

* and the guts and the grit to go fishing in a competitive, global, turbulent, and ever-evolving pond! And should you elect to cast your line into X, Y, or Z Waters, perhaps you will check your tackle box for the right bait:

1. Passion! Let others see it, hear it, feel it, get it, notice it, enjoy it!

2. Energy! Act like you have some and lots of it! Do not yawn during interviews or tell people how tired you are or that you are exhausted.

3. Enthusiasm! Bring it, show it, offer it, deliver it!

4. Let It Go! Don't look back at what didn't go your way, what didn't work out, what you didn't get, what life didn't offer you; instead, today is a new day -------->>>>> Press on! Move on! Go forward ------->>>>>>!

5. Think differently! Instead of thinking about your age and how 'old' you are, why not reconsider that you're 'still above ground' (a 67-years-of-age happily employed client told me that one) and that you have an immense body of talent to share!

6. Engage! Connect with purpose and intention; add an abundance of the above numbers 1, 2, 3 into conversation to keep the listener listening! Practice helps!

7. Attire/Appearance! Dress professionally, appropriately and well for the job you want. Maybe it's time for that makeover you've been thinking about!

8. Attitude! While you cannot control you age, you can control your attitude; how will the employer gauge yours?

9. Language! Carefully select the best words to deliver the message you wish to convey about yourself, your brand. Figure this out ahead of time so you have specific ideas of what you would like to share about yourself in support of the j - o - b you would like.

10. Technology! Instead of saying 'something a bird does' if you're asked about a 'tweet', educate yourself about social media and its impact on job search. Do not take yourself out of the game because of technology -- you are never too old or too young to learn!

11. Partner/Collaborate. Learn from all ages of people. Regardless of your generation, learning is learning. Here's something I learned from a Millennial over the week-end, for example: www.bookrenter.com.

12. Volunteer! Whether you're employed or unemployed and 22 or 82, helping others and serving others knows no age. Who knows what you will gain from giving of your time and talents!

13. Experiment! Try something new; try something different; take a calculated risk and see what you learn; see where it takes you!

14. Keep dreaming! Dreaming doesn't stop because you turn ___ (fill in age), unless you let it! Whether you are 22 or 73, build a bucket list and start doing!

15. Stay active! As long as you are able, stay active always and in all ways!

An Activity For You:

1. Record your age: _____.

2. Record one goal: ________________________________.

3. Record the steps you would advise a ____ (Insert number from Step 1) years-of-age best friend to take to achieve Step Number 2 above.

4. Heed your own advice as expressed in Step Number 3. :)

5. Consider the wisdom of George Eliot: "It is never too late to be what you might have been."

posted by: billiesucher

Comments

[GeraldDecelian]

You should not have to go out to find a job, jobs should come and find you. Especially if you are very experienced and highly qualified, like many people that are over 50. http://dreamfetcher.com is great for people just looking to sit back and have jobs apply to them. It is also a FREE service. Log on to DreamFetcher.com today.

[Kim]

Well before looking for any kind of job , knowing your career skills is darn important . You can take this career test , it's one of a kind . I have tried it out myself and would love to pass on the link to others too ! Here's it -
http://www.3smartcubes.com/pages/tests/career_skills/career_skills_instructions.asp

[Harris Silverman]

Companies are beginning to pay the price of having downsized their most experienced employees. They are starting to realize that they cannot function without the experience and maturity that these employees bring. Stories abound of chaos in various parts of companies that are staffed entirely, or almost entirely, by people under the age of 30. Furthermore, as the baby-boomer retirement wave picks up steam, this problem is only going to become more severe. There will be plenty of opportunities for over 50's.

Harris Silverman
www.harrissilverman.com

[billiesucher]

GeraldDecelian -- thanks for your perspective and the link.

Kim -- yes, knowing your skills and what you're built of is key before looking for a new opportunity -- thanks for your thoughts.

Harris -- totally agree with your words: "There will be plenty of opportunities for over 50's." Thanks much for your comment.

[ukjobsguide]

Thank you very much for your great advice about job hunting.This is very useful to job seekers.

[HR Training]

It is important to draft and review of employment law policies and employee handbooks. HR Training seminars are also available for conducting investigations including sexual harassment prevention and discriminatory harassment workplace investigation training.

[jobseeker]

Real success comes in small portions day by day. You need to take pleasure in life's daily little treasures. It is the most important thing in measuring success.

[billiesucher]

ukjobsguide -- glad you found the post useful! :)

HR Training -- thanks.

jobseeker -- good thoughts and very true; thank you.

[bba]

It is indeed a great resource to obtain information on this subject. Keep posting. Thanks.

[billiesucher]

Thank you bba! Always happy to share ideas with others.

[Supra Skytop II]

In my mind you are the best*_*

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