Are You of "A Certain Age"?

If you are a job seeker of a "certain age", that is, over 50, you are probably aware that especially for you the job market is tough. I write this as a follow-up to my recent "relevancy" post because I had an experience with a potential client of a "certain age" for whom relevancy is a non-starter.

This gentleman owns a business in an industry that is dying. Ten years ago, he changed his business model and it helped somewhat; however, since the beginning of the most recent economic downturn his business has been failing. Right now he thinks he will be closing his doors by the end of this year. During our discussion it was clear to me that he has done little to nothing in the past several years to improve his situation.

Clearly, this gentleman needs identification of personal transferable skills; he needs to understand how to prepare generic and targeted resumes. He needs networking skills in order to locate even a survival job until and quite possibly he locates training in a new field. He also needs to figure out if he can save his present business. When we spoke he gave me a long list of issues including poor economic decisions, lack of education, etc...What I told him is that that was then and this is now. Relevancy rears again. He needs to act, and quickly. This gentleman has probably at least a dozen years left to work before he can think of retiring. He has to determine what he wants, what he can do and then do it. I hope he does. There are no magic answers.

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Be Relevant

Do you "get it"? Are you relevant?

In today's job market, you must show transferable skills that someone is willing to pay you for. Do you know what your transferable skills are?

• Are they current – that is, used within the last 10 years?
• Do you know the kinds of skills a hiring manager or a recruiter in your field is looking to "buy"?

If you cannot answer "yes" to the two questions above right now, then it is time that you learn to, and learn to quickly, because you are wasting your time if you do not. What skills you developed even just a few years ago, if not relevant and current now, are of no use to you in any job hunt.

Try Google Alerts and Indeed.com and look at job descriptions that come up. If you are not at least a 90% (and more) match then do not bother to apply; even with this, showing added value as well as using your network to come to the attention of the hiring manager is key.

Many clients ask me about functional resumes, very popular with career changers. What I tell them is that today, functional resumes are usually red flags to hiring managers and recruiters. What these folks want to see on a resume is a match and experience with the skills that they are hiring. If you do not have those skills, get to work on getting them by volunteer experience, schooling or certifications. Be relevant. You will be glad that you did.

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Getting Ready

Occasionally I come upon clients, or better still, clients come upon me who
realize how important it is to always be looking ahead.  This is no simple feat, because life and career can change so rapidly and frequently that looking ahead sometimes is as clear as mud. This morning I met with such a client who has targeted Sept. of 2013 as when she wants to be working in a new position. She paid attention to what she sees coming, contacted me and is giving herself plenty of time to get ready and launch an effective job search campaign. In this recessionary atmosphere, it is the rare job change candidate for whom the next position comes along quickly. Take time to look ahead...take even more time to prepare and launch. You will be glad that you did.

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It Can Be Done!

This am, I had a call from the mom of a former client of mine. The client is a 2012 college grad who has just landed her first job. It is not exactly what she wanted, and it looks like it may not last beyond the end of 2012, but she secured it by working her network, she will be making a decent salary, and she has benefits. It also gives her about a 6 month reprieve to look for her next  position and adds to her resume and her network. I sent congratulations to my former client, wishing her well, and praising her on her success. She kept at it, presented herself well and is now employed!

Keeping At It

Do you feel like your job search is now and will be neverending? Do not be discouraged; you are not alone. Now is the time to take even better care of yourself, to volunteer and learn new , keep current and even update transferable skills that you already possess. Are you working your network, online and in person? Remember that resumes do not get people jobs...people do.

Are you actively social, getting out everyday, talking to people, looking to do for them as much or even more than they do for you? Sitting on your couch or even in front of your computer will not get you your next job. Working your present network and building new connections, updating skills and using those skills for the betterment of others...these are the things that will in the long run work. Keep at it.

Is Owning a Small Business For You?

Tough economic times got you down? Many Americans are reacting to unhappy stressful working environments or no working environments at all by opening their own small businesses. Have you considered this option? Here are some considerations before taking the leap!

Are you an entrepreneur? There are several ways to evaluating whether or not you have the personality or drive to run a small business. Entrepreneurship is not for everyone. This link can help you determine if you have what it takes. Go to http://isquare.com/qualities.cfm.

What kind of small business would you like to own? Evaluate your own professional background and your transferable skills. Then do your market research. Is there a niche to be filled by your business idea?

Evaluate your financial situation. Where will start up funding come from? How will you sustain yourself? It might be better to keep your day job and work on your small business at night and on weekends. Be careful. Have an exit strategy that is ethical. Do not steal customers, employees, etc. Leave as friends. Your present employer may be a source of subcontracting business in the future.

Your own community may have sources of assistance for you. Have a look.

She Has The Contacts!

A returning client to me with whom I just finished working reported that she has secured a wonderful new opportunity in a new industry. How did she find it? She leveraged her contacts. She kept in touch, added them to her LinkedIn profile, used them as her "board of directors", and in a short while, found a new position. It also helped that she has great skills, which she has not only kept up but added to all the time. So what do we learn from this? In this economy, more than ever, a combination of great, current marketable skills plus an active networking plan can spell success!