Acing a Job Interview After Age 50

 By : Joe Turner

Have you used one of these common complaints?

    * "I was fully qualified, and it makes no sense.”
    * “They simply don’t know how to hire.”
    * “They told me that I was overqualified.”

These are the sort of comments job seekers often make to Randy Block, a seasoned career-transition coach and consultant in the San Francisco Bay area.

If you're an "older" job hunter, more than likely you already know that the ultra-competitive job-search process is especially hard on you. Part of the challenge you're facing is a major generation gap between Baby Boomer job hunters and the Gen-X hiring managers of today. As Block noted, "Thirty-somethings don’t want to hire their parents. Unfortunately, that's how we often come across — as their parents."

You can succeed during interviews with younger hiring managers, but you'll want to think and act differently. Here are five places to start :

Show passion for your work

As Block notes, relationships are based on shared values. He believes that shared values make up most of what we call “chemistry.” Chemistry is enhanced when we meet others share an interest. This extends to your work, profession or industry.

If there is little passion or commitment from you for your work, how can you expect others to get excited during the interview? On the other hand, if you consider yourself driven or committed to what you do for a living, you'll most likely hit it off with a hiring manager who has the same interest — whatever that person’s age.

Be upfront about what’s in it for them

Nowadays , employers want to know what you can bring them. Older job seekers may shy away from bragging opportunities like this. But this is one talking point you need to be prepared to get.

Tenure and duties won’t cut it. The best way to prepare for an interview is to focus on your personal brand. Prepare a personal brand statement for yourself — a simple sentence that offers three very important selling points about you. First, it should say who you are. Second, it should articulate your greatest strength(s). Third, it should explain the biggest benefit that you bring to your next employer.

The purpose of your brand is to go beyond mere duties and job listings and get to the "what's in it for them" benefit that will make the employer sit up and take notice.

Offer guidance

Block has found an important disparity between older job seekers and younger hiring managers: Boomers want to be led, while Gen Xers want to manage. Yet in coaching sessions with young managers, he observed that their leadership skills typically lag behind their management skills.

If you're a Boomer, take note and realize that you might not get the visionary leader you hoped for in your next hiring manager. However, Block says that this might just be an opportunity.

He has discovered that most young managers need help and guidance. They actually appreciate being mentored, coached or advised. They recognize the need, but look at it as a temporary or project-based opportunity.

This may open up an opportunity to sell yourself as a consultant whose many years of expertise can be useful in the role of a temporary coach or mentor. This may be a great meld between the "management versus leadership" dichotomy and increase your opportunities, especially considering companies are hiring more consultants during this economic downturn. As the economy improves, that 1099 contract could well turn into a salaried position.

Think short-term

According to Block and other employment analysts, many companies today view their short-term survival needs as paramount . They're looking for players who can hit the ground now and help them grunt through the next six to nine months. That will require a change in your marketing approach : P hrases like "long-term" and "strategic" won't have the sales impact of a year ago.

Rather than emphasize the long haul in your resume and interview marketing, look instead at selling yourself as an expert who can get in and fix immediate problems quickly and efficiently. Downplay any talk about long-range solutions ; instead, focus on clear, results-oriented achievements for short-range problems.

Talk money

Money talks, and it talks loudly. Money can also trump age, so try to get as close to the money as you can when you describe who you are and what you bring to the table.

Keep in mind that all organizations have only two basic needs: revenue and productivity. This is what keeps any top manager up at night. If you can help them, they will seek your advice and counsel. Therefore, come to the interview armed with specific examples of how you can solve their money (or productivity) problem. Your past achievements are examples of how to tackle the similar problems they face today. If you can show yourself to be the problem-solver they need, you'll quickly rise to the short list of candidates. Your goal is to become the "go-to" person for their short-term revenue or productivity problems.

Summary

Gen Xer s need your help. Focus on ways you can help their short- term "survivability" through this recession, and get as close as you can to their revenue or productivity concerns. Talk money, and focus on how you can help them produce immediate results. A younger manager would have to be very shortsighted not to explore a working relationship with someone more experienced. Capitalize on your wealth of experience to make a positive difference in the lives and careers of Gen Xer s.

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Career Mapping For A Smooth Journey

By: Tony Jacowski

You can dream of being a Vice President, but you may not know how to reach that position. If you don't have a career map, then eventually you may end up being in the same position as before.

Career mapping can be highly beneficial at any stage of your career. Whether you are entering the workplace for the first time or you are a veteran of the rat race, career mapping can prove to be one an invaluable tool - particularly if you are thinking of switching careers.

A career map is a two-piece document that actually summarizes a person's career strategy. In short, it is like a road map that will guide you throughout your work life. You should refer to your road map when you want to reach a destination; similarly, you should use your career map when you want to go ahead in your career. A career map is particularly handy when you experience job loss through downsizing or layoffs - when you have a career map, you won't have to panic, because your strategy will already be in place.

Career mapping can help you go about achieving your goals with purpose and clarity, whether that is advancing in your current career or searching for a new one.

Overview

This point clarifies what it is that you would like to accomplish in the future - in as short as one year or as long as five - and gives you the route that you need to take to get there. There are times when you may have to change the map suddenly when you find a lucrative job opening or when you realize that you have taken a wrong turn in your career - so it pays to be flexible.

Marketing Plan

If you are presently working long hours and not making the kind of money that you want, it could be a matter of insufficient focus. Decide which aspect of your profession is the most valuable, and develop a plan to market your knowledge, skills and experience to get a position that's right for you.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Maximize your strengths through experience and reduce your weakness through education. If you are stuck, then you can consult a career coach or counselor.

Plan of Action

Once you know your goals, then you need to identify how you will get there. You can do this by talking to experts or getting help from a mentor. Similarly, you should seek advice from people in similar positions that are already successful.

Financial Plan

Analyze why you want to change your career and direct your strengths to influence your finances. Look at your present position and then set a pattern to monitor your progress.

If you want to change your career for the better, then it pays to have a plan. Having a career map is one of the best tools for getting you where you need to go.

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Ways To Know When A New Career Change Is Good For You

By: James Copper

Have you been feeling frustrated at work lately and think that a new career change is just what you need? Or is it that boredom has crept into your daily routine? Well if you are thinking of getting yourself not just a new job, but also an entirely new career, then you need to think about these questions very seriously. You don't need to bounce out of bed everyday with this feeling of excitement and eagerness to get to work. All jobs like all marriages are exhilarating in the beginning and then slowly become mundane. If this is what's bothering you then you can rectify the situation through innovation and restructuring. However, if you feel that your present career is not intellectually stimulating enough, and you have interests and talent in other areas, then a job change is really what you need. But before you take the leap, here are four questions you need to ask yourself.

Do I Have The New Skill Sets

In order to make an easy transition, you need to consider whether you have the qualifications or at least the skills required in the new vocation. Considering that there are many who have joined in much before you, where do you stand among them? If you find something lacking in your abilities, go and seek training to compensate for it. You could do this while you are still at your old job via evening classes or online courses.

Do I Have Adequate Financial Resources?

By making a new career change you will be taking a risk that may or may not give you the expected returns. In the likelihood of a setback in your trajectory, you need to ensure that you have adequate financial support. In light of the recent recession you need to be guaranteed that your family and your debts are covered while you take your leap of faith. But this is not to say that you should not seek change if you don't have the money. In such a case however you do need to be prepared for all eventualities and the fact that you might suffer from the stress of strained finances.

What Kind Of Routine Am I Comfortable With?

Before making a career change you need to assess the alterations to your routine that your new career will entail. If you are a parent with a family to look after, or someone who enjoys a busy social life, then taking this into consideration will hold you in good stead. Not being able to have time for friends and family is one of the leading causes of dissatisfaction at work. And since you are already seeking some change in your life, you definitely need to take this into account. Working from home, or on weekends, flexi-time, leave entitlement should also be carefully thought of.

Do I Want To Be The Employer Or Employee?

Some people are built to work for others while some prefer to run their own enterprise - which is not to say that one is inferior to the other. Both are different types of people and you may also oscillate between the two throughout your career. For a number of reasons you might also prefer to freelance and work from the comfort of your home. This gives you your independence while allowing you to work on projects that stimulate you. But each of these have their pros and cons which you need to consider carefully while toying with the idea of a career change.

Once you have answered these questions satisfactorily, you will have developed at least some amount of clarity as to what you are willing to compromise on. Since considering the economy and the market at the moment won't be an adequate yardstick, it would probably be beneficial to also speak to the professionals in the field. By interacting with both the currently employed and the unemployed ones, you will be able to set up for yourself the worst-case scenarios. In the end it is only adequate ground work and introspection that will help you determine whether the new career change will be beneficial to you financially and professionally.

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Top Tips For Moving Your Career To The Next Level

When considering a new position or an available promotion, you may feel that you lack either the experience or the skills to get ahead. Some people are intimidated by the competitive atmosphere in an organization offering promotions. Some people feel that their young age or their advanced years will stand in their way of becoming an executive or a key corporate player. Other people are worried that they do not have what it takes to compete with the other workers at their company.

The fact is most people can get ahead by following some basic rules and putting themselves in the right place at the right time. Of course, experience and tenure with a company do count towards your trustworthiness and reliability, but you can groom yourself to a certain extent for success.

First, make your interest known to the people doing the hiring. It is important that you speak up and tell someone that you are interested in advancing and ask them what it would take for you to get to the next level. They will most likely give you some specific instructions about what you need to know, what skills you need to master, and what positions stand between you and your goal.

You may need to make some lateral moves in the company before moving up. Many people are promoted based on their broad understanding of a company's needs and organization. If you work in various areas of the firm, you will have a first hand knowledge and work experience with these facets of the operation. This kind of experience is invaluable when it comes time to assign new leadership positions.

If you want to move up, now is the time to start taking on some extra work. Ask for extra projects or request to join a team working on a particular area that you want to know more about. Take the initiative in putting yourself in the middle of new ideas and changes in the corporation. Show the people who have influence that you are a fast learner, a willing employee, and a team player. Be sure that you document your successes and sales with charts or other record keeping methods.

This is not the time to take a leave of absence. The most important thing you can do for yourself right now is to let yourself be seen. Stay late or work early. One good trick is to watch the person you want to work directly under and monitor their schedule. Work when they work, and do not leave the office until they do. Eventually, it will be only you two in the room and you will get your shot at self-promotion.

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