04/10/23 RCM Associates www.rcmassociates.com
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The 50+ Job Search: Debunking the Myths
Presenter: Dr. Rita Carey
RCM Associates Career Management
www.rcmassociates.comCareer Tips: www.careersuccesscenteronline.com
04/10/23 RCM Associates www.rcmassociates.com
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The 50+ Job Search: Debunking the Myths
Series: Is Your Resume a Gate Opener?
Thursday, 8/13 1 – 3 p.m. RW Goodman St. Where have the Jobs Gone? The Online Job Search
Thursday, 8/20 1 – 3 p.m. RW Waring Road
Networking at 50+ or nearly 50: Yes You Can! Tuesday, 8/25 10:30 – 12:30 RW Goodman St.
Interviewing at 50+: the Age Factor Friday, 8/28 9-11 a.m. RW Waring Road
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Topics of Discussion
Biases – yours, theirs and ours Debunking the Myths Eliminating Gate Closers
Applications Resumes Interviews
Getting the Offer in Today’s Market
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Biases: Yours, Theirs and Ours
Generally, younger workers are:
Generally, older workers are…
It’s all about beliefs
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Beliefs: older workers
Older workers:not adept at technologynot as productive as younger
employeesThey have more accidents and
are more often sick
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Beliefs: older workers(continued)
Skills/education not up-to-date Over-priced Can’t work with younger workers Low energy Next job a bridge to retirement Won’t stay on the job long
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Debunking the myths:Just the facts…
Health insurance claims are not solely influenced by age
No difference in productivity(USDHHS) Intelligence remains constant until 70
years of age (American Management Association)
Low Energy – Varies among all age groups – not a factor of age alone
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Survey
IT workers 45+ rated as better problem-solvers and communicators and equivalent to younger workers in tech knowledge and teamwork skills.
Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers - USA
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2009 Tony Awards
Angela Lansbury 84: Won a Tony ( 2009) Jane Fonda 72: appearing on Broadway
Liza Minnelli 63: 2009 show dancing and singing
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Hitting their peak…
Dolly Parton 63 Wrote the music for Tony nominated
Broadway show 9-5 (2009)
Harrison Ford 67Denzel Washington 55Tom Hanks 53Bette Midler 64
Performing in Las Vegas (100 shows remaining on her contract)
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Hitting their peak…
Dorothy Dale Kloss 85 Palm Spring Follies dancer; started her dancing career at 71
Margaret Haggerty Marathon Woman 81 Age 64 stopped smoking; started running Has run marathons on seven continents Set a record her first marathon
Betty White 87 Appearing on 2 TV shows
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Just the facts…
Carol Shields, Pulitzer Prize at 60
Michelangelo, Medici Chapel, 59
Louise Bourgeois, sculptor, recognized at 70 plus
Ward Garland, 103, refrigeration engineer, works every day
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Just the facts…
Nat Kaufman, 88, stockbroker for Wedbush Morgan Securities, LA
Waldo Burney, 96, continues to run his own business, McBurney Honey, KA
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May or may not be true…
Skills and education not current Can’t get along with younger
workers Next job a bridge to retirement Won’t stay on the job Over-priced
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Myth-busting
Changing Perceptions1. From “dated” to “contemporary”
2. From “biding time” to “commitment”
3. From “unproductive” to “productive”
4. From “cost” to “value”
5. From “peer mismatch” to “colleague”
How would you change perceptions?
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From “dated” to “contemporary”
Dress Appearance
Demeanor Energy (physical and mental)
Language Current in field and culture
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From “biding time” to “commitment
Emphasize recent accomplishments
Name current activities that show you are
“still in the game.”
Talk about adding value; forward looking
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From “unproductive” to “productive”
Be engaged in current activity – on resume
Show energy/enthusiasm in networking and interviews
Subtly insert solid attendance record
Cite accomplishments that show initiative, accountability and resourcefulness.
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From “cost” to “value”
Emphasize your ability to perform the job description tasks immediately (cover letter, networking, interviews)
If training is required, emphasize learning ability
Speak about related training (recent)
If experience is directly related, emphasize this
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From “peer mismatch” to “colleague”
The younger interviewer
The younger manager
The younger co-worker
Fitting in…are your assumptions showing?
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From Peer Mismatch to Colleague
Five Tips
What are they reading, doing, talking about?
1. Read the business section2. Know what’s happening in your field
(FastCompany, Wired, Web 2.0)3. Watch American Idol or????4. Update your training5. Volunteer
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Eliminating Gate Closers
Car for sale: 1989 Chevrolet Sedan Very high mileage Oil change 1998 Steers hard
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Eliminating Gate Closers
Classic auto for sale: Spacious Chevrolet Sedan Classic vintage Ideal for car show display Blue with cream trim Body in excellent condition
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Eliminating Gate Closers
Over 27 years experience with the same company. Excellent human resource skills. Strong work ethic; healthy. People person; get along with most staff.
Qualifications Summary:
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Getting past the gatekeeper
Comprehensive benefits administration experience, reporting to Director of Human Resources. Excellent written and verbal communication. Flexible team player. Proven ability in coordinating complex compensation packages. Demonstrated adaptability in support of change initiatives.
Qualifications Summary: (after)
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How Employers Recruit and Hire
Study million + employees: 303,000 job openings 30 % filled with Internal Transfers and Promotions 28.7% External Hires filled with referrals (employee, alumni,
vendor, etc.) the #1 external source. Employee referrals - 80-90% of these hires
Hires attributed to Job Boards (including the Company site) represent 25.7% of external hires.
CareerXroads 7th Annual Source of Hire Study – published 2008
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The Lifespan of a Job Opening
Stage 1 - No Opening Exists
Stage 2 - A Few People Know
Stage 3 - In-house & Selected Others
Stage 4 - Everyone Knows
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Networking, Referrals and your job search
- Almost 60% of Americans say they feel shy and uncomfortable in a variety of business and social situations. (The Shyness Clinic, Stanford University)
How do you handle networking?
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Referrals and your job search
Preparation, Know where you are in the process
Create your contact list,
Make Contact, Reciprocate,
Follow-up
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The Interview
Prepare Resume ready Accomplishment stories Company research Thorough job understanding Practice - audition
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The Interview (age related questions)
You seem over-qualified
Gosh, I see a perfect skills match. Can you help me see what you mean by over-qualified?
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The Interview (age related questions)
How old are you? I’m younger than the President… Do you think I might be too young?
When did you graduate from… It’s been awhile now, but I’ve kept current with xyz
training and actually the best learning was on-the-job. (Give a relevant example.)
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The Interview (age related questions)
What are your salary expectations; what were you making at your last job?
Know your bottom line Don’t base requirement on previous salary only Factor in benefits
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The Interview (age related questions)
Tell me about your 5-year goals.
How do you feel about working in a fast-paced, unstructured environment?
How do you handle pressure?
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The Interview
Watch body language
Contemporary image
Don’t let your biases show
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What you bring to the table…
Broad network of acquired contacts
Broad, transferable skills
Ability to work with different management styles
Multiple skills sets acquired thorough in-depth experience
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What you bring to the table…
The key: Discuss achievements to demonstrate those
qualities unique to you, the more experienced worker.
Tell stories that demonstrate abilities. This is the single most influential action you can take. They will remember you and they will visualize what you can do for them.
Accomplishments exercise
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Factors that affect opportunity
The market – supply & demand
Job search methods
Job search tools
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Time for a Check-Up?
Have you selected a market (work environment) with potential?
Will your resume get past the gatekeeper?
Do you have a contact base for referrals?
Are you prepared to defuse the loaded questions?
Can you demonstrate your knowledge, skills and abilities with stories?
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Time for a Check-Up? (continued)
Are you clear about what you want to do?
Do you have a targeted resume?
Do you research employers before interviewing?
Are you spending 45 hours a week in job search activities? 35/10 ratio
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Time for a Check-up ?
Are you updating your resume on job boards?
Do you have a profile on Linked-In or Facebook?
Is there training you need to update or add to your package of capabilities?
Do you read business magazines or professional journals?
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In summary:
Age discrimination exists based on misperceptions: you can change perceptions
The Market Job Search Activities
Tools
The Method Manage an online job search, create an age neutral
resume, network, and debunk myths in the interview
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Coming Up
The 50+ Career Series Is your Resume a Gate Opener?
Create an age neutral resume 8/6 Goodman
Where have all the jobs gone? Tricks and tips for the online job search 8/13 Goodman
Interviewing at 50+: Age specific questions 8/20 Waring
Networking at 50+: Yes you can! 8/28 Waring For more information and to register, go to
www.RochesterWorks.org and find the 50+ Series