Career
Over 50, Laid Off, Now What?by Shana Spooner
Henry was recently laid off from a large highly respected company. He wants to know who will hire him now that he’s past the big 5-0. "What are my problems and what do I do about them?"
I asked Henry to describe his job search strategy. "I focused on the technology field when I retired from the military. It worked for me then. This time it doesn’t seem to be as easy. I sent out fifty resumes. I got five rejection letters. The other forty-five didn’t even respond. I am very frustrated." Is it the economy? Is it Henry’s age? It’s both.
Like it or not, especially with the economic downturn, most large companies generally hire younger, less costly workers. To save time and frustration, Henry needs to look at other options. Since Henry went through retirement once, I asked him to describe how he felt about leaving the military and working in the private sector. "I thought of it as a complete break. I was going to do something totally new for me." Henry needs to make a complete break again. This is a new beginning. Why not think of it as an adventure? Break out from traditional thinking and open up possibilities.
It turns out that both Henry and his wife grew up as military brats. They also lived in various locations during Henry’s military career. Being citizens of the world opens up possibilities. Why not take this opportunity to brainstorm with the family about where they’d love to live. Ask, "If we could live anywhere, where would it be?" One option is to choose three different great places to live. Then decide which great place to live based on career availability. To choose a career just right for Henry at this point in his life, I asked him to tell me what he really enjoys about both work and non-work activities. I didn’t want Henry to box himself in by thinking in terms of past job titles. He should focus only on what he really enjoyed doing and who he enjoys being. "I like big challenges. I like having an impact on people. I enjoy project work. I like seeing successful completions. I like working with kids. My wife and I enjoy working with the boyscouts." Add that up with Henry’s leadership skills and you have a director of a non-profit agency that works with kids. "It would be a definite change from what I’ve done in the past but it would be interesting. That sounds like fun." Henry went on to tell me about a friend from his military days who was hired to be a director at a YMCA. He had never done that type of work before and the Y had no qualms about hiring him. That reaffirmed to Henry that non-profit work is a viable option. Here are Henry’s next steps:
Learn more about non-profit agencies including types of jobs, salaries, skills and requirements, job openings, company profiles and contacts, and best non-profits to work for on-line through www.careers-in-business.com/nonprofit.htm
Schedule informational interviews with the Director of organizations that sound fun and interesting.
Ask these questions and add others (1) How did you get this job? (2) What formal training or background is required? (3) What do you like most/least about the job? (4) What are my best first steps to getting a job like this? (5) What professional organizations do you belong to? (7) What types of traits does this organization look for in a director? (8) What other paid positions are there in your organization?
After conducting informational interviews, Henry needs to rewrite his resume according to the specifications of the job he wants. Think back on achievements that are directly related to the job specifications. Include achievements from all parts of life, not just paid work. Keep the resume focused on the job wanted, rather than all skills and knowledge learned in the past.
The biggest thing Henry needed was a change in mindset. "I enjoyed everything I did so far, but it may be time for a change. I’m over 50 but I’m still useful. Maybe I’ll find something that will be as much a part of me as the military was."
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Shana Spooner has been called "a career makeover guru." She provides her clients with clarity on the career direction they would be happiest pursuing and then gives specific actions to get there. Spooner’s makeovers are conducted by telephone so that she
