over 50 – Page 8 – New Century Dynamics Executive Search

May 19, 2014

Five Steps to employment for the over-50 Job-search Part 3: Your Image Matters!

A few years ago I let my image deteriorate. I put on a lot of weight that slowed me down and affected my self-worth. I had outgrown my wardrobe so I decided to take action. For me, that is a big deal as my suits and trousers are organized by "thin," "normal," and "big-boy." When I began to move beyond "big-boy" status, I knew that I was in serious trouble. Okay, to be honest my golf group had a bet to see who could lose the most weight before our annual Spring Trip, six months out. So, now in my mid-50s, I knew that weight loss would be a bit more challenging. In the past, when I went on a weight-loss program, I counted and logged my calorie intake and had a solid exercise routine. This time, I followed the same formula, but signed up for Weight-watchers’ on-line program. Their app is loaded with useful tools and convenient to use when added to your iPhone. My exercise routine was a little less aggressive, substituting a brisk 30-minute walk five days a week for my former jogging routine. Hey, I don't want to stop playing golf because I ruined my knees.

Additionally, I did some dietary research to learn the latest in healthy eating. From that research I learned two things. First, I needed to get more protein in my diet, approximately 90 grams a day. Also, white starchy carbohydrates, especially salty snacks, had to go. I am happy to say that within 6 months, I had reached my ideal weight, and won the bet. Of the 12 people in the who started, only two of us stayed with our goal. Both of us were using the Weight Watchers program, otherwise we were not that different from rest of the group. The fact that we are Fraternity Brothers probably did not make much difference either. My biggest take-away form this effort is that a proper diet becomes more important to weight loss as we age because the ability to power through via exercise becomes more difficult.

(Your image makes a difference!) It is important to the prospective hiring manager, and to you! The hiring manager is making an evaluation of your health and stamina, reflecting your ability to keep up with the demands of the job. She is also considering how the company will be judged if you are its representative. Your confidence and self-worth is likely impacted by your approval of your image. If your self-confidence is negatively affected by your image, you will not perform well at interviews or at networking. The self-confidence that comes from having a good physical image will result in a more successful job-search campaign.

I am by no means an image consultant so the wisdom I am passing along is based on my personal history. My intention is to reinforce some obvious points and pique your interest. In doing a bit of research on The Web, I found quite a bit of information on the subject. If you are interested in exploring this topic further, you are only a click away from a wealth of information. Now, to be fair, (when I think speak of image, I am thinking "age-appropriate.") I do not recommend trying to craft an image better fitting a twenty, or thirty-something. Believe me, you will not be taken seriously if you go in that direction. The benefit of age is experience and wisdom. Personally, that is exactly what I want my image to reflect, plus a healthy dose of energy and zest for life. I hope you agree.

(While you are between jobs, work on your image.) Do something for yourself. An appropriate physical activity will help you look and feel better. It will also burn off a lot of the stress that comes from the ups and downs of job-search.

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Jim Weber, President

New Century Dynamics Executive Search

www.newcenturydynamics.com

May 9, 2014

Five Steps to employment for the over-50 Job-search Part 2. Networking: Your Job-search Engine

If self-assessment is the foundation, networking is the engine for job-search. Most jobs are still landed through networking so this is where you need to spend your time. Your network is probably your most powerful asset, especially in job search, and a competitive advantage for the more mature job candidate. With time, job moves, and geographical moves it is likely that your network is larger and more powerful than younger competitors. There is a vast library of articles devoted to building your network. My point today is about helping you become more effective using your network to land that next job. Your success in job search will depend on the vitality of your networking.

So, let's assume that you have alerted your network that you are in the market and they have helped you shape a positioning strategy to find that next, great opportunity. You have researched the opportunity you seek; you understand the industry segment and you know the job you want to pursue. You have identified key people familiar with that opportunity who are hiring managers or linked to hiring managers. You have made a good start, but now what? Well, now you must keep your network energized and active on your behalf.

Effective Communication is the key to managing your network. These folks want to help you! You must make it easy for them to do so. You need to stay top-of-mind without being intrusive or obnoxious. Your Facebook and LinkedIn networks are easy enough to update, but how do you manage the bulk of your network who may not be connected to you on these venues?

How to communicate:

Avoid long, drawn-out telephone calls. My preference is to use email.
Put your network into Groups or Circles so that you can efficiently communicate your updates and status.
I would urge you to use a merge-mail function, a feature in Outlook, to personalize your emails.
Save phone calls for important, targeted communication.

What to communicate:

Routine updates as to your progress every few weeks.
Any change in direction or dead ends encountered.
Successes/problems you are having executing your plan.
Keep it short and to the point. No tomes!
A note about a personal interest is always a welcomed addition.

For new contacts, make it easy for me to know how to help you:

Be crystal-clear as to what you are trying to accomplish.
Help me understand how I can help you.
Your elevator speech must be compelling, so I will remember you.
Do your homework. Be prepared for our conversation.

Don’t make me guess at what might be a good connection for you.

Make it easy for me to introduce you to my network:

Give me a handful of your business cards.
Connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+
Send me updates on your progress and what you are trying to accomplish.

Make it easy for me to contact you: Don't waste my time looking for your contact information.

Your email correspondence must include a complete signature section.
I rely heavily on my IPhone so having the ability to tap your phone number, email address, or website is a critical time saving function.
Understand your networking contact’s preferred method of communication and comply.

Networking must be a way of life for professionals, especially if you are over 50. It is all too common for people to neglect their network while they are working, and then hustle to reconnect when between jobs. Failure to nurture your network while you are working increases your time to reconnect when you are not working. You have a lot of simple tools at your disposal to stay in touch easily and effectively. Use them!

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read. Your input is very important to me so please leave a comment.

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Jim Weber, President

New Century Dynamics Executive Search

www.newcenturydynamics.com

April 25, 2014

First things first: Assess your skills and capabilities:

Forget Job Titles: What is it you do, really? What is your skill-set? What do you bring to the party? Are you a problem-solver; a business developer; a great leader; or maybe a process re-engineering expert? Your first task is to assess that which makes you unique, has led to your career successes and will be important to employers. Think of challenges you have faced. How did you work through those situations? What strengths and skills did you rely on? What problems have you encountered? What did you do to find solutions? Maybe you have managed through a crisis. What did that reveal about your abilities? The important point of this exercise is to get to your essence. The exercise should reveal your fundamental talents which can be packaged into a marketable profile. Think big picture, especially if you are over 50. By this time you should be thinking "big picture," not small potatoes, tactical skills.

Corporations are still comprised of people. People need direction, inspiration, and motivation. They need leaders. If you are skilled at building teams, inspiring workers, and achieving results, you have a particular skill that will always be in demand. Team Building is a key component of leadership, and is vital to attract top talent to work with you.

Employers need people who can find solutions to vexing situations. Process re-engineering, problem solving writ large, can be of great benefit if it is directed across a large swath of the business. If you are good at simplifying and stream-lining processes and procedures, this talent is in demand. Companies continue to look for people who can help them become more productive, leaner, and less bureaucratic.

Brands are in a fierce battle for market share. The old adage that nothing happens until a sale is made still rings true. My clients are adding to their Business Development Departments. They are looking for closers who have strong networks of prospective customers. If your electronic roll-a-dex is large and current, growing companies are looking for you!

It is natural to feel a bit embarrassed to tell people that you are unemployed and looking for work. It is not natural, however, to allow that embarrassment to prevent you from doing the work necessary to find a new job. Get over it! You are not unique, and you do not have a contagious disease! Reach out to your network. Use them to help you take stock of your capabilities and focus on new opportunities. This effort will provide great benefit. You will likely learn of capabilities you had not considered. You may be reminded of problems you faced, but had forgotten. Other people may see strengths you possess that you had not considered. Or they may help refine your thinking around strengths you think you possess. Individually and collectively they will have a perspective that will sharpen your focus and reveal opportunities to employ your skills. Listen to them, don't debate! Ask questions to seek clarification and understanding.

Employers are in a market-share-profitability-battle for survival. If you can help them bring in new customers and put more dollars on the bottom line, you are needed! The strengths and skills you bring to bear for an employer are your key selling points. They should be prominent on your resume, above the fold. You must build in examples of these strengths in your work history and in your bio. All of your communication should reinforce these skills. Use them in your elevator speech. It is not as important to discuss the type of company your want to work for, or the industry segment you prefer; as it is to imprint the skills you bring to the party and the contributions you can deliver. Take stock, understand yourself!

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read. Your input is very important to me so please leave a comment.

Also, I have a one question survey that will help me determine the best topics to cover. Please click on the link below provide your feedback.

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Jim Weber, President

New Century Dynamics Executive Search

www.newcenturydynamics.com

April 13, 2014

Five Steps to employment for the over-50 Job-search

Companies have shed a lot of middle managers since 2009, many of whom have been highly compensated executives over 50. Employers have learned to do more with less and to out-source functions wherever possible. Still, there is work to be done. If you are over 50 and looking for a new job, you must pay close attention to the following five steps to employment.

1 Assess your skills and capabilities:

Don't think in terms of job titles you have held, but of your accomplishments and how they were achieved. Employers need people to solve problems. Prepare an inventory of your skills and accomplishments. In fact, this would be a good exercise to complete with the people in your network. They will likely have a useful perspective. It is also a good reason to reach out to your network to stay top-of-mind as to your availability for that next opportunity. Use this exercise to evaluate new options.

2 Work your network:

Networking is the best use of your time! Your network may be your most important asset and likely a competitive advantage over younger workers! You must reach out to all of them. Pick their brains as to what they are seeing in the market as well as possibilities for you. You should have them organized into an email group that will allow for easy communication. Update them on your progress. Make sure that you are actively seeking out important new contacts. Buying coffee or lunches for these folks is an excellent investment.

3 Work on your image:

One benefit of being between situations is the additional time recovered, especially that time otherwise spent on your commute. I would advise that you retain the same sleep-waking schedule you had while working, just use that time differently. Substitute your commute time for exercise, research, and for updating your technology skills. Get back to a healthy diet. A sleek and healthy image will help shorten your job-search.

4 Your on-line presence:

If you are not on LinkedIn, you should be, and your profile must be complete. Otherwise, you are hurting yourself. Employers are looking for you, but they cannot find you or if they do, your profile is not impressive. Consider a paid subscription to LinkedIn. Now is a good time to join and become active in those groups that parallel your interests. Position yourself as a thought-leader. You should consider starting a blog and developing your own website to further your on-line presence. Remember, employers are looking you. Make it easier to find you.

5 Consider a career coach:

You must be competitive! Job-search techniques and tools are changing rapidly. A good coach will help you with search strategy, interview prep, and communication effectiveness. If you are not a long time resident of your current location, someone who can help with important introductions is vital. Our company has been providing Mentoring and Coaching services for many years.

Summary:

Those over-50 are healthier and more active than their parent's generation so age isn't an issue per se. However, the mature employee brings some expectations that may not fit the needs of potential employers. They have their own biases. Technology skills and employment laws present risks to the employer, while compensation requirements may be at odds with their budgets. One must present themself as a reliable problem-solver. You have much to offer, however, you need to understand the needs of the employer, define your capabilities, and market yourself as with any brand. Follow these five steps to ensure a shortened time between jobs.

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read. Your input is very important to me so please leave a comment.

Also, I have a one question survey that will help me determine the best topics to cover. Please click on the link below provide your feedback.