 |
50-SOMETHING?
Avoid a Career Wake-up Call
For aging boomers, close to the 50-something
mark, a prolonged job search is often the unexpected result
of years of career management complacency.
The perception is that when people over the
age of 50 are confronted by today's explosive increase in
new knowledge and skills, it is easier and faster for older
workers to lose value in the employment marketplace and be
cast adrift.
Employers often have negative stereotypes
of older workers and tend to think that as a group, older
workers are resistant to new ways, lack technological capabilities,
have a sense of entitlement or other poor work attitudes.
Unfortunately, this stereotype does fit some
experienced workers - but not all and certainly not a majority.
Many enlightened employers also are aware that older workers
perform as well as or better than their younger colleagues
in a number of ways.
According to a survey conducted by the Society
for Human Resource Management and the American Association
of Retired Persons, 89 percent of those surveyed say the absence
rate of older employees compares favorably to that of younger
employees; 77 percent said older workers tend to be more reliable
and have higher levels of commitment; and 40 percent said
older employees are usually more motivated than younger colleagues.
Nevertheless, according to a report by Exec-U-Net,
a job listing service for senior executives, more than 50
percent of job seekers start encountering age bias at 45,
and job search campaigns for 50-somethings are typically 40
percent longer than for those who are less than 40 years of
age.
To prevent a rude wake-up call at 50-something,
experienced workers need to continuously pay attention to
both life-stage and career development needs. Purposely committing
to growth and new learning is one of the most crucial decisions
one makes in life at any age. But at 50-something, personal
and career renewal become vital. Here are eight points to
consider toward a self-renewal plan.
1) Do you have passion or enthusiasm
about the type of work you are pursuing?
According to Gail Sheehy in her new book,
Understanding Men's Passages: Discovering the New Map
of Men's Lives, "The key to a vital Second Adulthood
is to find your passion and pursue it with full heart
and mind." Passion is cultivated as we learn about a new
topic or develop new skills.
2) Do you have cutting edge job
skills?
Is there a competency model or certification
for your profession, perhaps in conjunction with a professional
association? If so, can you prove your skills are current
by becoming certified in your craft? Could you give a
credible presentation to your colleagues about the newest
developments in your field?
3) Are you continuously learning
from your experiences? Do you have a plan and strategy
for learning and becoming better at what you do? Do you
understand your unique learning style? For that matter,
have you learned how to learn? Do you need a professional
learning coach or career consultant to help you develop
and stick with a career development plan?
4) Do you have the computer skills
needed to function at the level to which you aspire? Which
software applications are used most widely in your profession?
Are you conversant with MS Office? Could you take a computer
skill course online or in an instructor-led facility to
increase your employment value? Do you know how to search
the Web for new information in your field?
5) Do you maintain and project
a positive mental attitude?
Depression is often a normal part of
aging and is sometimes hard to recognize. Visit with your
doctor or a professional counselor if you think you may
be depressed. Modern medications and therapy can be very
helpful in restoring balance and perspective. Enthusiasm
about doing the job and working with others often is what
makes all the difference in how you are perceived.
6) Do you over-focus on the past
or past accomplishments?
Employers are interested in what you
can do for them today, not with what you contributed to
them two or 20 years ago. Appreciate the past, but focus
on the present and on what you can do in the immediate
future. Cultivate a creative outlook and see new possibilities
to overcome the "been there, done that" attitude which
negates learning. Are you sincerely open to the ideas
of others?
7) Do you have the physical energy
to pursue your passions?
Physical exercise counteracts depression,
builds the energy needed to pursue daily tasks and facilitates
clear thinking.
Note: If it has been over a year
since your last physical, seek the advice of your doctor
about an appropriate exercise program.
8) Do you consider yourself self-employed
even if your paycheck comes from a large organization?
Do you manage yourself and treat your employer as a valued
customer? Do you take the initiative to make things happen?
Do you market yourself and your abilities to your customers?
Do you volunteer for assignments? Do you prepare proposals
to show others how you can contribute to their plans?
Are you willing to take on temporary or contract assignments
(which often lead to regular employee status)?
While staying employable as we age is sometimes
challenging, it is important to remember that "those with
the skills can pay the bills."
|
|
