Monday, March 23, 2009

Rewirement Tips for Mature* Job Seekers - March 2009

These challenging economic times have resulted in many downsizings, rightsizings, layoffs or whatever you want to call it –people are losing their jobs, or waiting for the next shoe to drop! The idea of Rewiring®, originally developed for pre and post retirees, is now a process for everyone. We all need to know how and why and where to rewire.

I’m still traveling around the country talking to large audiences about the future on how they can tailor their job search. I’m also doing small group work helping people to rewire themselves in their current work or to secure a new work option. There are many good sites but I still find TheLadders.com a good one especially for the $100,000+ candidate.

The following are additional tips that I recently shared with an audience. They are a combination of substance and style and exemplify my belief that getting a job today, in these highly competitive times, demands that we be more strategic in our job search.
  • View yourself as a product: It’s competitive out there. Ask yourself: Why should someone hire me?
  • Network, network, network- on-line and LIVE!: If you don’t like the word, network, think connecting, relationship building.
  • Elevate the conversation with a potential employer: Get more aggressive. Ask specific questions about the job.
  • Demonstrate mental agility: Cite examples where you can show how flexible and adaptable you are.
  • Look the part: Appearance and presentation still matter. Don’t kid yourself.
  • Match your drivers to the job description: Read DON’T RETIRE, REWIRE! to discover your drivers, or motivators, and see how they correlate to professional success and fulfillment.
  • Discover how to differentiate yourself from the pack: Don’t associate only with the same age cohort! Pick up new trends and ideas from all four generations.
  • Articulate what you can offer an employer: Don’t wait for the interviewer to ask about your strengths, tell them.
  • Demonstrate that you are up to speed with “new” skills: Don’t get old and rusty in your technology or leadership skills.
  • You’ve got the experience; have energy and enthusiasm, too: This is the great triumvirate. There is no replacement for the BIG THREE.
  • Manage your expectations: Need I say more?
* As defined in the 1967 Age Discrimination Employment Act

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