The Baby Boomers guide to reentering the job market - TheJobNetwork

The Baby Boomers guide to reentering the job market - TheJobNetworkAttention Baby Boomers Although youre technically approaching the age when people typical start thinking of retiring from the work world, that doesnt mean you cant be a valuable and productive part of a company or business. Or perhaps youve already officially retired and have decided that youd like to re-enter the workforce in some capacity, either due to financial need or simply to keep busy and add new value to your daily routine. Baby Boomers have been traditionally characterized as a hard-working, roll up your sleeves, can do generation, so it stands to reason that theyd want to stay active and continue contributing to the world. If this sounds like you, and youd like to re-enter the job market and kick off a successful job search, then keep reading googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) Whatever the case may be, those of you who are looking to re-enter the job market may di scover that the job search game has changed drastically in recent yearseverything from rapid technological advancement to the shifting ways businesses hire to meet their staffing needs has contributed to this evolution. But that doesnt mean you should give up your goal of finding meaningful employment at this stage of your life, or submit to frustration because of how different everything is now.The truth is, as a Baby Boomer you have a lot to offer the professional world, including experience, finely-honed skills, and a lifetime of valuable wisdom, and it makes sense that youd want to share it with the next generation of workers. In addition, your skills set obviously presents a positive value aussage for the companies who recognize their strength and value. But in order for you to connect to the perfect job that will allow you to best leverage your background and abilities and make positive and meaningful contributions in the workplace, you first need to get past the job search hu rdle. Consider using the following strategies and advice to help you get there.3 steps to a successful job hunt for Baby BoomersOwn your ageSome Baby Boomers who are looking to enter the workforce may initially feel the urge to somehow mask their ages when applying for jobsscrubbing out or obscuring key dates on a resume is a common approach. Not only is this a short-sighted approach (unless you plan to go to interviews in disguise), but also, why hide the decades of valuable work and life experience youve acquired? Instead, wear your age as a badge of accomplishment and sing its praises during the job search process.Also, establishing your ability and willingness to be flexible and learn new thingsa common concern regarding older workersis a good way to offset any initial hiring trepidation. Use your cover letters and resumes as opportunities to convince hiring personnel that your age is an asset, notlage a liability, and that a company that hires you will stand to benefit from eve rything you bring to the table. Its also an opportunity to showcase your confidence and honesty, which savvy companies will recognize and appreciate.Get used to new toolsJust as you probably had to learn how to use new equipment and technology during your prior lifetime of work experience, youre going to have to get comfortable with using the new tools of job searching. You may have quickly realized this after opening your local newspaper and searching for the now nonexistent want ads section job searching has almost exclusively moved to the digital realm. Youll need to leverage zugreifbar tools if you want to make the most of your time and find a great new job. Sure, you can also do things the old-fashioned waysome businesses still put help wanted signs in their windows and may appreciate an inquiry from someone who stops in to say hello looking for some honest workbut most jobs these days are found online.But this notion shouldnt fill you with dread. Many of todays online job sear ch tools have been designed to make job searching easier, not harder. If youre comfortable with the basics of using a computer (going online and sending emails), then do a quick search and check out the most popular career networking and job search sites in your area and field of interest. If youre less comfortable online, seek out the help of a friend or family member. Your local library is a great resource if youre in need of some guidance. Trust us, after polishing up your resume, exploring the ins and outs of online job searching and applying is a worthy investment of your time.Build and use your networkA great thing about having decades of work experience under your belt is that you probably have a small galaxy of contacts you can leverage if youre looking to get back into the work world. A great early step when planning a job search is to think about your years of work experience. Make a list of people whom you can contact regarding possible employment opportunities. Even if a contact isnt aware of a job offer in their immediate orbit, they may know someone they can connect you to in or adjacent to your desired field. Just reach out as much as possible and see how your network and possibilities can quickly grow. And dont get discouraged if every contact doesnt lead to a job offerjust stay resilient and determined. Consider your time networking as just one tool in your well-rounded job search toolkit.If youre an older job seeker whos looking to jump back into the job market, invest some time in learning the new rules and tools to job searching and set yourself up for success. Good luck

Job Search Myths

Job Search Myths As a career coach, I hear the same limiting beliefs from all of my clients. The self-doubting talk has to stop This article outlines five job search myths that we muststop believing.I recommend thatyou say the sentences in bold print out loud as you read each paragraph, then vow to never say them again. Ive shared some replacement phrases thatyou can use instead.1. My network is too small and cant help.Your network is much larger than you think. Your current and former colleagues are just the tip of the iceberg. You may have a small network as an account manager, but that isnt the only thing that defines you. Are you a weekend volleyball player? Motherbeibei? Friend? Volunteer? Pianist? You know lots of people through those avenues, in addition to those you know through your professional life, and they should be labeled as important contacts.A client recently shared with me that her close friend is a famous Spanish guitarist. I would never have known or guessed that she had that connection, but its there It would have been a mistake to dismiss her as someone with no connections in the music industry only because she works in human resources. You just never knowReplace with My network is growing and will work for me.2. I dont meet all of the qualifications, so I shouldnt apply.If you think you can do the job, you should apply. If you disqualify yourself, you will surely miss the opportunity. Write a killer cover letter, tailor your resume, apply for the job then find a contact at the company and reiterate your interest. Better yet, see if someone you know can put in a good word for you. Think of the job description as a wish list. It is rare that a candidate checks every single box. Put yourself in the running and work hard to make the case of why you are the best fit for the role.Replace with Im qualified for this job and will tell you why.3. Networking feels inauthentic.Networking is about conversations and getting to know people. Those who ar e being inauthentic are doing it wrong and will struggle to build meaningful and lasting relationships. Be yourself and seek out the organization and events that fit your personality and communication preferences. Do you prefer a lot of structure? Try speed networking. Enjoy a cocktail party? Mixers are an easy fit. Prefer longer conversations? Some organizations, likeSix Degrees Society, create a curated networking experience and match you with others who have similar backgrounds or interests. Your event is out there, I promise, you just need to put in a little effort to find it.Replace with Networking is a great way to build meaningful relationships that will open doors for me.4. I hate asking people for things.People want to help. I repeatpeople want to help I consistently hear from colleagues and clients who are amazed at the responses they receive when they finally ask for what they need. In order to reframe this limiting belief, focus on the experience you have, where you exce l and what you bring to the table. Share what you have to offer and ask that your contacts keep an eye out for someone who might be interested in your set of skills. In this reframe, rather than asking please find me a job, youre painting a picture of the type of harte nuss you can solve. When your contact comes across someone with that problem, they can recommend your services. Youre not asking for help, but asking to provide others with a valuable resource youReplace with I am offering a service and people cant take advantage of my services if they dont know Im available.5. Nothing is working.Interviews and job offers are not the only way to measure the success of your search. Think of your efforts as planting seeds. You never know what seeds will grow, but if you plant enough, one surely will. Have faith that your efforts will pay off as long as you not only plant those seeds, but nurture them, too. A new contact will probably be reluctant to recommend you after your first meeti ng, so follow up with an invitation for coffee and continue to show what a talented professional you are.Replace with Every little step gets me further along my path to success.Everyone experiences thesenasty, self-defeating thoughts.The key is to recognize these mythswhen they appear and remind yourself of the truth.A positive attitude goes a long way in finding and landing your next role, soshow these limiting beliefs the door--Alyson Garrido is passionate about helping women advance their careers and find jobs they will enjoy. As a career coach, she partners with her clients to identify their strengths and create a path toward a more fulfilling career. Alyson provides support around preparing for interviews, performance reviews and salary negotiations, ensuring that you present yourself in the best possible light for job search and career advancement. Learn more or book a session with Alyson by visiting