Great Expectations

””A Baby Boomers Guide to Employment
Seeking employment at the age of 50 (or older) can be hard work. That hard work sometimes leads to frustration, depression or hopelessness. But landing the right job at this stage of life may not be as painful or impossible as it seems.

Please allow me to offer a bit of “pain therapy.”

In our dynamic and fast-paced, youth oriented society, it’s a good idea to rethink old job hunting strategies and techniques. It’s time to try something new.
I’m referring to the four essential E’s of a Baby Boomer’s job search. They are Expectations, Engagement, Energy and Excellence.

  1. Expectations: What type of job is expected or desired? This should be determined by the motivation for the job search. Some people need income for daily living expenses, while others may seek employment to feel good about giving back to society. Set expectations.
  2. Engagement: Get signed up, and then get involved on LinkedIn. This will greatly increase your professional and social networking opportunities. It’s important to use new technology and learn basic computer skills (social networking, email, internet, etc.).

    Consider signing up with an employment agency that can find jobs for Boomers. It’s worth the effort to find someone (with expertise) to help you prepare a customized and appropriate resume.

  3. Energy: Always present an energetic and “full-of-life” appearance. It’s imperative for Boomers to be well-groomed applicants. First impressions are important.

    Don’t be afraid to relocate, however, if a job is located in another city, complete a cost of living comparison before making commitments. Houston, “the energy capital of the world,” is among the best cities for employment.

  4. Excellence: Most Baby Boomers have earned the respect of employers by demonstrating a strong work ethic.

Loyalty, honesty and discipline are important to Boomers. They tend to care about the quality of their work. These traits should be highlighted in resumes and at interviews.

Consider visiting the following websites for career opportunities and articles:

Carolyn Kennard is a Regional Facilitator for Workforce Solutions in the Houston – Galveston area. She conducts job search skills seminars throughout the 13 county Gulf Coast region. Before embarking on a career in workforce development, Carolyn achieved success in marketing and training with a major oil company. Carolyn holds a B.A. degree from Virginia State University and an M.A. degree from Prairie View A&M University.

Author: Blogforce

Workforce Solutions provides comprehensive human resource services for businesses and residents of the 13-county Houston-Galveston Gulf Coast region. Workforce Solutions helps employers solve workforce-related business problems and area residents build careers, so that both can better compete in the changing worldwide economy. Our Employer Service Division provides personalized service to help employers find qualified applicants for their jobs, build the skills and expertise of their new and current employees, and address human resource needs. We operate multiple community-based career offices in 13 Texas Gulf Coast counties to help residents get a job, keep a job or get a better job – offering placement, career counseling and financial aid services. We partner with the region’s businesses, educational institutions, civic organizations and community leaders to find solutions to current and future labor needs of industries that are vital to the region and its economy.

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