The Over-40 and Baby Boomer Client Strategies for Client Success - Hire Imaging

The Over-40 and Baby Boomer Client Strategies for Client Success - Hire Imaging Over 40 and Baby Boomer Job Search: Ageism Ageism in the workplace does exist and has probably been exacerbated by the current economy. Yes, there are negative stereotypes out there. Older workers know nothing about computers. Older workers can be cultural misfits. Older workers dont have enough stamina and brainpower. There are as many perceptions as the diversity of those making hiring decisions and the organizational cultures that exist in the workplace. My clients and I acknowledge this. And then we brainstorm and plan to meet them head on. Over 40 and Baby Boomer Job Search: 10 Success Strategies Here are 10 strategies that I arm my over-40 clients with to move forward in positive career exploration, design, and management. Over 40 and Baby Boomer Job Search: Strategy 1 Know when to make a career change This means exploring new career options and developing that ideal next career. This comes down to finding the fit of satisfying essential ingredients of your ideal next career, such as interests, abilities, career marketability, earnings, and value / lifestyles. Over 40 and Baby Boomer Job Search: Strategy 2 Identify and Promote Age Advantage This means playing to your strengths. Examples might be possessing multi-generational skills, broad transferable professional and volunteer skills, a mature value system, a balanced ego, a wide network of contacts, or excellent crisis management skills. Dig into these and let them shine. Over 40 and Baby Boomer Job Search: Strategy 3 Target Healthy, Hiring, Age-Diverse Careers This means uncovering whats hot and whats not. Identify the top financially healthy, hiring, and age-diverse industries. Explore the demographics of the aging population relative to new career opportunities, i.e. 225K jobs will be created from baby boomers retirement based on Department of Labor predictions. These are predicted to create new career options in healthcare, education, biotech and entrepreneurial endeavors. Over 40 and Baby Boomer Job Search: Strategy 4 Acquire Inexpensive Skills and Credentials Updates This means reviving a current or past career or jumpstarting a new one. There is a quote by John Ruskin to take to heart here: When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece. Get the information you need (remember that negative stereotype about computers?). Let your fingers do the walking to check out certifications, training, education requirements, salary ranges, and costs within a job position on the Web. Start doing some talking. Do your research and seek advice of someone working in your position of interest. Refresh your skills and credentials for the same position. Licensures, certificates, credentials and continuing education courses need to be updated or renewed. Acquire new skills and credentials for other positions of interest.Remember that although transition to another position or venture is not always a matter of skills and credential updates, it is always beneficial. Over 40 and Baby Boomer Job Search: Strategy 5 Create an Ageless Resume This means creating a wow resume a resume that emphasizes your outstanding experience, strengths and benefits to the employer. It also means surviving the 30-second skim or scan of a resume so it doesnt end up in the circular file.   Make sure your resume meets todays trends. Consider both the scannability and electronic-friendly aspects of the resume, as well as the visual impact of the presentation resume. A resume must have an appropriate heading, down to the name. Never underestimate the visual impact of your name. The target should be clear to the reader. A clear target includes type of role, industry, a condensed version of your strengths and skills, and a statement of how you will benefit the company. The resume must include a concise and powerful summary containing a condensed version of relevant work experience, a description of the areas in which you excel, and one which reflects your strengths and strong personal characteristics.   Format is very important. Use a chronological format when you have an unbroken work history and are seeking in the same occupation. Use a functional or hybrid format when youre changing occupations, have a broken work history, or are minimizing your years of experience. Create a Wow! What an Accomplishment! resume. Include accomplishments that are relevant to the position. Arrange them with the most significant as first on the list. If you have relevant experience youre proud of but dates you back 25 years, it is OKAY to put Other Work Experience: IBM Programmer. Drop the name without the details. Over 40 and Baby Boomer Job Search: Strategy 6 Conduct a Strategic Job Search. This means dont put all your eggs in one basket. In your career search, employ more than one Job Search method to increase your chances of employment. Develop a systematic Job Search plan. Increase your daily contacts to prospective hiring managers and networking contacts. Network, post your resume on company Websites, work with personnel agencies, initiate strategic mailings, and pick up the phone to call! Make sure your on-line searches are effective. Know which sites to use and how to use them. Over 40 and Baby Boomer Job Search: Strategy 7 Update Your Image for Networking and Interviews. This means achieving a memorable first impression. First impressions are formed within the first 60 seconds of meeting someone and are made up of visual cues (55%) and vocal energy (38%). Recognize that the product youre promoting is yourself. A makeover appearance matters to form a good first impression. Project vocal energy, high confidence, and enthusiasm. A relaxed, centered composure with stylish business attire is important. Improve your personal hygiene and grooming; this will go a long way in creating a better chance of success. Over 40 and Baby Boomer Job Search: Strategy 8 Ace Tough Interview Questions. This means that failing to effectively address age-related and discriminatory questions and accepting a job offer on the spot without negotiating your best compensation, are the two most common interview pitfalls. Will you be using this job as a bridge to retirement? I was such a people person and enjoyed the business world so much, that retirement was not in my vocabulary. I could not see myself staying at home and playing in my yard. Being part of a team is what makes me the happiest. Typical questions to anticipate: Where do you expect to be five years from now? What are your long-term career goals? Are you too expensive? What are your salary expectations for this job? During the first interview, you can tactfully deflect a direct answer about salary at least once, so as not to irritate the interviewer. Typical questions to anticipate: What are your salary expectations for this position? Youve got some good answers, but I still need to know what your salary expectations are for this position? Possible answers: Ill be happy to discuss salary when the position is offered to me or I would prefer to discuss salary in light of the opportunity presented and my potential contribution to the firm or I have researched this position with XYZ and have found a salary range from $75,000 to $90,000. Is this what you have in mind? Will you be a cultural misfit? Be prepared to show compatibility in interview answers like describing the time you collaborated as part of a multi-generational team, or were proactive in several youth-oriented activities. Do you have enough energy, stamina or brain power to do it? Its unlikely that youll ever be asked this question, however related questions like these are commonly asked in interviews: How do you feel about working in a fast-paced environment? Are you able to come in early and leave late? Describe a recent work experience where you were under pressure with a tight deadline. Heres one way to answer questions about your energy and stamina: Ive always had a lot of energy and enthusiasm for my work, and Ill continue to do what it takes to produce a quality product and meet or exceed deadlines. Arent you overqualified for this position? This is the exact question that often comes up for mature candidates, especially if youve listed 20 or more years of experience in your resume. Your goal in answering this question of over-qualification is to emphasize the strength of your experience and highlights of your accomplishments. Your answer should be along these lines: At my last employment, I had the privilege of working with people of great age diversity. I reported to a CEO who was 10 years my junior, and I had one team member who was my senior. I believe my experience and wisdom will be a welcome addition to your team. What if youre asked illegal questions? The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1978 prohibits discrimination against applicants aged 40 and over. Questions like How old are you? or When were you born? or When did you graduate from high school? are illegal! You will rarely be asked such blatant questions. If by mistake you are, then the employer may either be ignorant about the law or just simply curious. Here are some recommended answers: #1 Apply grace: I really dont think it is appropriate for me to respond. #2 Apply a sense of humor: You know that a woman never tells her age. #3 Tell the truth: I graduated from the Penn State in 1955. Sharpen your negotiation strategies. As an interview progresses, build rapport with the interviewer by stressing your strengths and accomplishments in order to obtain a better salary offer. Dont rush things. Instead, get your offer in writing. Try to negotiate a job offer and ask questions. Over 40 and Baby Boomer Job Search: Strategy 9 Explore Entrepreneurial Ventures / Self Employment. This means that age and experience are advantages in a self-employment venture. Ask yourself if â€" 1) you have the financial reserves allowing you to borrow or raise funds; 2) you have a successful track record of achieving goals; 3) you have proven yourself to be self-directed and a leader; 4) you are a calculated risk-taker with successful risk-taking experience. What are your entrepreneurial options? Areas of possibility include franchises, consulting, buying an existing non-franchise business, or starting a new business. Over 40 and Baby Boomer Job Search: Strategy 10 Discover New Careers for Post-Retirement Years This means that even if youre 65, you may be too young to quit working. When is the right age to quit working? The question is not really, When is the right age to quit working? but What work do you want to do at your current age? Remember that negative stereotype (which, by the way is held by many employers AND over-40 job seekers), I/You will be a cultural misfit at my/your age? Well, a recent AARP survey shows that 23% of us will be working after we reach 70.The reasons vary, running the gamut from financial need, to longer life spans, to declining 401Ks, to staying mentally/physically fit longer. Adopt the mindset to enjoy a career in your third stage of life. A career in the years after the 50th birthday can be the most satisfying time of your entire life. Enjoy and excel in a new career. Over 40 and Baby Boomer Job Search: Parting Thoughts. In my work with over-40 and baby boomer clients, we focus on what works not what might get in the way. I encourage clients to think of themselves as a company of one and operate like an outside consultant to sell their skills and experiences. We work together on preparing them for a great period of transition if they are changing fields. Clients do a reality check on their personal communication styles. If they are experiencing a painful career transition, we coach on taking time for self-care to heal and stay mentally positive. This mindset involves not competing with younger workers, but mentally prepping to BE the competition for these workers. Our work together involves the clients knowing themselves and where they want to go, creating and following an action plan, and garnering support from others who can help. Ageism is real, but the over-40 job seeker can beat it by emphasizing skills and building relationships. It can be a rewarding time one of the best chapters in your life! STRATEGY #1: KNOW WHEN TO MAKE A CAREER CHANGE.