Capture Real-World Career Insight & Advice That Will Prep You for The Big Time

10 Tips for Working in Maturity

Prepare a written strategy - By strategy, I mean a cohesive response to the challenges you face! Your career is your business. Careers like businesses compete or fail based on strategy and execution. (The strategic planning process I recommend is described in my book, Boom or Bust!)

Study the market as it is becoming not as it once was! Here's the trick. You need to know where the jobs/careers are going to be - not where they once were. Fully half of today's jobs bear little resemblance to past jobs and by 2015 it is estimated by the U.S. Department of Labor that 76% of U.S. jobs will demand specifically skilled employees.

Complete a gap analysis clearly identifying what you "DON'T" have in your career portfolio that the marketplace needs. More than half the jobs/careers that are emerging require different or expanded skills, certifications or competencies than those jobs from your past. Confirm what you are missing.

Fill in the gaps by learning new skills BEFORE seeking rejection as an applicant for a prospective job or contractual project or, worse, actually interviewing for an opportunity for which you are not prepared. There are countless ways to prepare to learn new skills in record time - virtually, in person, through extension schools, and in community colleges and in universities' degree programs as well as through their extended studies. If you can't "fill in the blanks" with demonstrable qualifications, you won't beat the competition.

Understand and use multiple marketing tools and methodologies well beyond developing and posting a chronological resume to job boards. In point of fact, the lengthy chronological resume is the best screening out tool invented by human-kind - especially for people whose careers span many years.

Study sales training vs. interviewing training. Sales training includes prospecting methods, sales methods, and follow-up methods that consistently generate fresh opportunities. Henceforth you are in SALES regardless of your career path.

Distinguish facts vs. myths about older workers and leverage your advantages. Learning the facts and leveraging maturity's advantages are the keys to self-confidence and to overcoming the dreaded questions that lurk behind recruiters' welcoming façades.

Position your "sales close" by quantifying the benefits of hiring or engaging you. Now, more than ever, "quantifying" your ability to help an employer or client succeed is critical to receiving an offer.

Pursue multiple avenues; part-time, full-time, flex time and some-of-the-time opportunities. Dispel any nonsense about long-term employment. Private sector employers, and a growing number of public sector employers, will only pay for what they need and what you can accomplish.

Continue to build reputation throughout your work/life cycle. This involves more active participation in professional organizations, constant harvesting of opportunities as part of your plan and keeping an eagle eye on your reputation by honoring your commitments to others.