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