10 Tips for People Who Seek to Work in Their Maturity

“Tips have the effect of tickling the mind but, before reading my tips, remember that it is most important to have the courage to stay the course of change as you peer into the mists of the future. Listen carefully when I tell you that the most human of expectations is that tips will offer an immediate solution for every problem presented. Not this time,” continued the Wizard. “This time the future of work must be understood rather than seen as a problem to be overcome. This time we must overcome our instinct to seek immediate gratification and invest in learning from the future.”nnPrepare a written strategy – By strategy, we mean a cohesive response to the challenges you face! Your career is your business. Careers like businesses compete or fail based on strategy and execution.nnStudy the market as it is becoming not as it once was! Here’s the trick. You need to know where the jobs/careers are going to be – not where they once were. Fully half of today’s jobs bear little resemblance to past jobs and by 2015 it is estimated by the U.S. Department of Labor that 76% of U.S. jobs will demand specifically skilled employees.nnComplete a gap analysis clearly identifying what you “DON’T” have in your career portfolio that the marketplace needs. More than half the jobs/careers that are emerging require different or expanded skills, certifications or competencies than those jobs from your past. Confirm what you are missing.nnFill in the gaps by learning new skills BEFORE seeking rejection as an applicant for a prospective job or contractual project or, worse, actually interviewing for an opportunity for which you are not prepared. There are countless ways to prepare to learn new skills in record time – virtually, in person, through extension schools, and in community colleges and in universities’ degree programs as well as through their extended studies. If you can’t “fill in the blanks” with demonstrable qualifications, you won’t beat the competition. nnUnderstand and use multiple marketing tools and methodologies well beyond developing and posting a chronological resume to job boards. In point of fact, the lengthy chronological resume is the best screening out tool invented by human-kind – especially for people whose careers span many years.nnStudy sales training vs. interviewing training. Sales training includes prospecting methods, sales methods, and follow-up methods that consistently generate fresh opportunities. Henceforth you are in SALES regardless of your career path. Go ahead – you’ll thank me for this advice one day, even if you resist it today.nnDistinguish facts vs. myths about older workers and leverage your advantages. Learning the facts and leveraging maturity’s advantages are the keys to self-confidence and to overcoming the dreaded questions that lurk behind recruiters’ welcoming façades.nnPosition your “sales close” by quantifying the benefits of hiring or engaging you. Now, more than ever, “quantifying” your ability to help an employer or client succeed is critical to receiving an offer. nnPursue multiple avenues; part-time, full-time, flex time and some-of-the-time opportunities. Dispel any nonsense about long-term employment. Private sector employers, and a growing number of public sector employers, will only pay for what they need and what you can accomplish.nnContinue to build reputation throughout your work/life cycle. This involves more active participation in professional organizations, constant harvesting of opportunities as part of your plan and keeping an eagle eye on your reputation by honoring your commitments to others. nnConduct Internet searches of the headings of this checklist and you’ll find useful examples of each tool at your fingertips. Next month we will begin to address what we recommend to our clients tool-by-tool.nn * Words that Work – The best words are the basics of differentiating your marketing tools from the usual claptrap hiring teams are forced to read.nn * Self-Branding - Branding is the art of briefly, and memorably, articulating unique capabilities and style.nn * Professional Biography. A short, focused biography has dozens of uses beyond the limitations of a resume.nn * Website. Like a painting, it visually stimulates the eye and the mind while expanding upon your qualifications.nn * Social Networks. You may know about online social networks but do you know how to make networks work for you?n n * Person-to-Person Affiliations and Memberships. Strategic connections are more likely to result in opportunities realized than in spending endless hours posting to all the job boards combined.nn * Blogging improves Google-ability. Are you Google-able? Google-ability proves the axiom that it may not be as important as to who you know as it is to who knows you.nn * Resumes. Notice that I’ve listed resumes last. An awful stand-alone marketing tool, resumes are always important as part of a larger toolkit. nnDid you know? Some states, such as California, offer a Work Sharing Unemployment Insurance Program in order to incentivize employers to cut hours rather than cutting workers. Check out your local Claims Office. You too may be eligible for partial unemployment benefits for time lost if your hours have been cut back.