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It’s tough for sixtysomething professionals to get hired even in the best of times. And you may face the added stigma of having been out of the workforce for a few years…but things have changed for you.
Today, Baby Boomers are gloomy about their future. Of those 55 years and up, only 13% say they’re confident they will be comfortable in retirement; that’s down from 30% in 2007. Many 55-64 boomers have taken a big hit in their average net worth: decreasing from $933,300 in 2004 to $618,100 this year.
It’s tough out there for all job seekers.
Unemployment has more than doubled since the start of 2008. It’s taking longer for laid-off workers to find new jobs. And when they do, they often end up with a lower salary.
The strategies that follow may be just the extra boost job seekers need to land the right position. Among the insights: how to organize the job hunt, broaden your network, dress for interviews, and keep from getting low-balled on salary.
The job seeking process may not be quick—studies show it takes at least four to six months for the average professional or middle manager to get the job he or she wants. But there is reason to be hopeful. Despite today’s grim headlines, the fact remains that millions of people are hired each month—4.2 million during March alone.
Nearly all job hunters have something in their resume that’s a potential turnoff and will eliminate them from being considered as a viable candidate. Therefore, don’t send your resume to be considered for a job opening. Instead, prepare a one-page career strategy sheet listing your work objective, your personal strengths and accomplishments, and what you are looking for in a perspective employer.
Once you have created this career strategy document, use its content to describe yourself on social networking sites and your personal blog---where you offer observations and information about the industry you have experience within. Be sure to link to your personal blog from your other social media sites in order to build a viable online presence for people who can help you get to where you want to be in your career.
Become active on networking sites like LinkedIn and Facebook—joining groups, asking questions, providing helpful information to people in your network, and offering links to other sites where you are featured. Consider making the $269 investment to post your career strategy profile at www.BlueSteps.com which is often used by members of the Association of Executive Search Consultants to find job candidates after they’ve exhausted their own databases.
Plan Your Networking Campaign
Create a list of executives with good reputations and contact each one, explaining that you are rebuilding your network. You should say, “I’m sure you get lots of calls from recruiters about jobs you may not be interested in. Perhaps, once you get to know a bit more about me, you’ll feel comfortable referring me.” Then offer to meet the contact in person, share inside industry information, ask for advice, and stay in touch. This is a great way to find out about searches that are not so public.
You may have concentrated your efforts primarily on finding a permanent staff position. But consider stressing, especially in this economy, to every business connection you meet that you are also interested in consulting work. In addition to generating income, such projects will give you interesting things to talk about while networking, keep current on industry developments and maintain your morale, as well.
Be sure to emphasize your diverse experience in different kinds of businesses and target companies in growth sectors (hospitals, colleges, alternative energy) as well as struggling industries (restaurants, retail) that need help. To learn about a new field, attend conferences and take professional classes as needed.
Target firms with revenue under $75 million. These firms are more likely to value a seasoned executive with experience at a big corporation.
A Full Time Job
Job hunting should be viewed as a full-time job that requires at least 35 hours a week of diligent effort. Break the process down into small steps with deadlines, like identifying target companies and which executives to contact. Then create spreadsheets to track your progress. Ways to keep on task: Engage an executive career coach and/or form a job search team with other unemployed professionals and commit to deadlines.
Source: MONEY, July 2009
