There was a man picketing President Obama as he made his speech in Kansas City this morning. He accused the President of being single-handedly responsible for him not being able to find a job. He says Obama should try to build a relationship with Congress so they could solve problems together. He doesn't think the President should use Executive Order to work around Congressional obstructionist behaviors, no matter that presidents beginning with George Washington have used it. Needless to say, the man is a Republican. If he were a Democrat, he would be saying the Congress is do nothing and causing the whole problem. He can see only the view of the President that is presented by Republicans who are trying to take back the Oval Office.
At the same time the President was inside the Uptown Theater talking about the four per cent second quarter growth in the economy and the low unemployment rate, this man was outside saying that nothing had been done about employment for people fifty and over.
God help you, sir, and anybody else who is fifty and looking for work. But that's not the President's fault. That is the fault of chronological age.
I know about being over fifty and job hunting. I may be the resident expert on the topic. It's not a pretty situation. Employers want to hire the youngsters. Why? They are recently trained and up to date. They will work more cheaply. The supervisors don't want to hire people with more experience than they have. They might actually know more at fifty.
Generally, "50 Somethings" have to take a significant cut in pay to find a job. Eventually, even minimum wage jobs will look good as a path out of desperation. So, cut to the chase and take the first one you can abide of the ones you are offered. Employers look more kindly on someone who is employed, even at the lower end.
You will also need to quit dwelling on Obama, the economy, how unfair life is and that everything would be better if Republicans ran the world. In the first place, if Republicans always ran the world you would be taxed, while the rich would get off scot-free and all the jobs would be outsourced to China so the rich could get even richer.
This aside, focusing on the downside all the time shows in your face and your body language. Being unsure of yourself shows the world you have poor self confidence. Even if you get a job during this time of hesitation, you make an easy target for kick-me experts.
Every morning look yourself in the eye -- in the mirror -- and tell yourself you are a creation of Almighty God. God didn't make any losers, so you must be one of the Eagles. And believe it. Look for work using skills at which you have succeeded before, and accent the successes in the way you present yourself. Don't oversell yourself, as, if hired, you will have to prove you can do what you say. Just tell the truth in the most positive manner possible.
Be realistic about the kind of things you know. If you fetched supplies for a roofer, a roofer you are not. Become a gopher again so you can use your experience at the same time you learn new things.
On your resumes, don't lead with your age. It will show up on transcripts and work history anyway, so don't make it a focus.
Try to dress younger -- not like a teenager -- just young ideas. If you are gray, consider a partial dye job. And don't do comb-overs or wear hairpieces. Unless they are done professionally, they look
ridiculous.
Make your resumes creative and informative. Some Personnel Directors like to see people lead with experience that makes the candidate seem experienced for their job. And don't let your spirits get down and out.
Selling your resume is the same as selling a product. The more times you try, the better your odds of success. For instance, in book sales, I heard that a good expectation is that one will sell books to three per cent of the people they contact. So for every one hundred applications you file, you stand a chance at three job offers.
Volunteer at places where you can show your skills. Sometimes a good volunteer is the first choice at a paying job.
No comments:
Post a Comment