Noah’s sober words set the tone for the meeting.  “It’s rough out there.” In his late 50s, recently divorced and actively seeking work, he cannot attend a retreat weekend for our association next month.  In spite of a great mental attitude and a clear communication style, Noah is feeling discouraged about his job prospects.

AARP says.  If you are over 50, the unemployment rate is actually lower than for younger workers. In October 2010, 7.2% of 55+ workers were unemployed, compared with a 9.6% unemployment rate for all ages of employees.  However, among working adults, seniors have to spend a longer period searching for work, on average about 7 ½ months. Creating further concern, many over fifty workers have given up searching for work.

Look at that attitude.  Good advice at any age! Think about the first two minutes of your presentation.  Sell your positive attitude.  If your layoff was an ugly situation, you need to be skilled at explaining your departure without sounding like a negative person.  Ask a friend or career coach to practice talking about your departure until you feel the positivity.  Even with practice, you may have good days and bad days. You’ll want the interviewer to know you are focused on doing a great job for your next employer!

Consider new options. Maybe this is the time to enter a non-profit field, and be of service.  If you have worked for several decades, you will have ample talent to offer others! Perhaps this is a good time to move to another climate and /or pursue a hobby as a vocation. Engage an informed friend to help you explore realistic choices that suit you. 

Be confident about technology.  Yes, you aren’t master of everything.  Who is? You may know more than you realize, and if you have used personal computers and the Internet over the last few decades, you probably are skillful at combining some uses of technology with solving real-world problems and helping people.  These are great skills to have!  Even the twenty-something with specialized machine language skills may not know as much as you do when it comes to applying what you know to real work.  Take inventory of your connection to technology - and then show how you made a difference at work with a measured contribution. For example, “I built and maintained Excel spreadsheets to record vendor payments for national trade conference.” Be specific; show how you have applied what you know.

Age advantage. Point out that you are going to be working for another 15 years. “I’m not looking for another job.” This rings true.  The twenty-something is likely to move on to another job within two years.  You offer stability, and a proven investment in training. As Ronald Reagan pointed out when debating a younger candidate, “I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent's youth and inexperience.” You can be like Reagan – you offer stability and life experience. Don’t be too boastful!

Network and explore possibilities. Finding a great job is all about meeting new people, not about answering want ads. If you do not have a networking strategy, ask for help! Talk to someone about social media, and check out the networking seminars offered at your community college. Expand your circle of influence. Build the connections who will introduce you to your next employer.

Proceed with quiet confidence.  You have solved big problems during your working career. Use your skills to prepare in creating a great opening presentation to show off your advantages. Brush up on your interview skills with the help of a trusted colleague.  Do your research on the current job market.  Get out the door and talk to people.

* * * *
Call me if you would like to explore your inner leader.

* * * *

What are you GRATEFUL for?  send me your thoughts to rSteve@mycareerimpact.com">DrSteve@mycareerimpact.com and I will include them in my positivity journal.

* * * *.

Is being a leader important to you? Take my research survey for career changers. http://bit.ly/7YhcMK