Archive for 2009

Even in this still-sluggish job market, there seems to be a buzz around how to keep employees–particularly those of the elusive post-boomer generation.

Employee engagement and worker retention tips top the lists of workshops and management journal articles.

They speak to the imminent talent drain and worker shortage as a perfect storm of economic disaster gathers.

Each day, 10,000 baby boomers turn 60. Although they’re not all dreaming of packing up for Sun City, once seen as the epitome of retirement, most want to work less and attend to priorities more.

Marc Freedman, author of Encore: Work That Matters in the Second Half of Life, believes that boomers’ can turn the tide of the diminishing talent pool.

By engaging with their community, whether globally or locally, a win/win occurs. The marketplace benefits from retaining employees from a generation with experience the likes of which our country has never seen.

Boomers at the same time, reap the satisfaction that comes with making money, meaning and a social impact.

Boomers need to consider how they can reinvent themselves to reflect what they need and want from the 10+ years they are projected to remain in the marketplace.

Employers in the non-profit, public service and for profit sectors would be wise to consider what they might offer older employees that aligns with their increasing desire for meaning and emphasis on life priorities.

Stemming a crisis calls for creative thinking and new perspectives—both of which can generate unexpected and effective solutions.

The key is being willing to see your situation from varying perspectives and determining how everyone’s needs might be addressed in the outcome.

I’m home with my feet up after standing non-stop at the MaineJobs.com job fair. Amy and I at Heart At Work were pleased to provide a community service by offering resume consultations and a seminar on the topic of this blog.

Even though I can’t capture the interesting Q&A’s from the seminar participants, I can pass on the tips I outlined during the sessions.

While it’s true that there are many applicants for any one position in this job market, it is also true that many applicants do not present themselves well. YOU can have the edge on any competition by taking the following tips seriously:

How To Stand Out In A Tough Job Market

Create impressive and impeccable documents (cover letter and resume or professional portfolio) that capture your skills, experience and education. (good resource: www.rileyguide.com

Be able to clearly and concisely state the skills in which you are competent and which you enjoy. Always be ready with a results-oriented example of when you used each skill.

Be mindful of your assumptions about what’s possible. Keep in mind what you want, not what you fear might happen.

Stay current with best practices as well as who is doing interesting work in related fields. Be prepared to communicate your knowledge of trends in interviews.

Consistently attend to your needs. Take time to replenish your resources so you’ll be in good shape to go for the next best opportunity!

Some career counselors advise job seekers who are unemployed to consider their job search a full time job. But, I’m not among them.

Being unemployed provides an opportunity to regroup in finding a new job, but it can also allow for a needed balance to your life.

If you are like most people, you spend a significant amount of time, attention and energy on work-related matters to the neglect of other important areas of your life.

A life out of balance can weigh heavily and create stress and anxiety for anyone. It’s difficult to shift a cycle of imbalance while external demands remain the same or are increasing. That’s why a planned, or unplanned break from work can be useful in making a “correction” in how you live your life and act on your priorities.

Here are some tips on how to stay focused on your job transition and shift the balance in your life:

• Get clear about what is important in your life. Make a short list of actions you can take in the next week to create a better balance between your priorities and your actions.
• In regards to your job search…First, identify what you bring to the marketplace in terms of skills, experience and education/training that relate to what you desire.
• Establish a set of criteria for what you’d like in your next position. Don’t assume you cannot have or find a job that meets your desires. You can always compromise later on in the process.
• Begin to investigate possibilities through informational interviews. You do not need to target a job title. Check out a range of options that might meet your criteria.
• Make sure that your supporting documents (resume, cover letter template, list of references, writing samples, if appropriate) are up to date, error-free and have been proofed by someone other than you.
• Create a “contact card” that has your name, phone and email address, so you can give it out at networking functions.
• Set weekly goals for what you want to accomplish in your job search. That way, you can feel you’re getting somewhere, even when there is no offer in sight.
• Spend a minimum amount of time researching on line job postings. Research consistently shows that networking and putting the word out to friends, colleagues and family is the most effective way to learn about jobs.
• Connect with professional association members for the positions in which you’re interested. Attend meetings as a guest if you are not a member.
• Make time for activities that help you manage the stress that comes with any job search. Ask for help and support when you feel down, stuck or discouraged.