older workers Archives - Page 2 of 2 - The Voice of Job Seekers

Older workers: What Do Employers Need?

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I was asked by the hosts of The Second Act Show podcast, Kerry Hannon and John Tarnoff, to share with their 50+ audience how to navigate their job search. Watch our entire conversation here, and don’t forget to subscribe to their channel.

Listen to a short clip of our conversation as we discuss my thoughts on the following:

Not leaving money on the table
Focusing on what the employers need
Having a consultant mindset
How your experience translates to their needs NOW
Older workers, internships, and volunteers
Getting their mojo back
Every opportunity provides a chance to scale your network

More about Kerry:

Kerry is the author of In Control at 50+: How to Succeed in the New World of Work, a Yahoo Finance Contributor, and a Career and Retirement Strategist.

More about John:

John is the author ofCareer and Executive Coach for 50+ professionals.

You are more than welcome to join the discussion. Here are three ways you can:

– Call and leave a voicemail at 708-365-9822, or text your comments to the same number

– Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com, press the “Send Voicemail” button on the right side of your screen and leave a message

– Send email feedback to [email protected]

Contact me on LinkedIn or Twitter for more job search tidbits, news, and advice.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Repurpose Your Career, 3rd Edition, with Marc Miller

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Welcome back to the seventh year and season of my show! So many of you have listened since 2013! Thanks so much. Marc Miller is back on the show again to talk about his new book, Repurpose Your Career: For the 2nd Half of Life, 3rd edition. He shares stories from his clients and helping them to align their interests and careers.

This is the third edition of his book. His media features include CBS Money Watch, U.S. News and World Report, and Forbes. His blog, Career Pivot, is a Forbes Top 1oo Best Career Website and has achieved several other best career website awards.

Let me know what you in one of three ways:

Call and leave a voicemail at 708-365-9822, or text your comments to the same number

Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com, press the “Send Voicemail” button on the right side of your screen and leave a message

Send email feedback to [email protected]

Here are highlights of our discussion:

The numbers differ during an employment surge: Although BLS reports, 3-4% for American overall, 13%-14% is more accurate among older workers
Baby boomers are planning to work into their 70s
Many want to take control by working for themselves
Career change – make sure the industry has legs
How should older workers market themselves?
Want to learn industries, stay up-to-date, listen to related podcasts. It will be on your dime.
Network with younger people

Be sure you sign up for the bi-weekly newsletter to get alerts about the upcoming shows. You can also subscribe through iTunes or any podcatcher you’d like. If you love the show, write a LinkedIn recommendation on my profile.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

3 Things Older Workers Hate Hearing, But Love the Results

Older workers love to lead with how long they’ve been in an industry, a job, or the expert. And rightfully so! They fought for that position and earned the right. We fought so hard, endured scrutiny, and at times, put our reputation on the line. Right?

Older workers, let’s rethink the presentation part of this by not looking, well, old!

Well, it doesn’t get us back in the position. The reality has been we are not getting back in according a recent US News and World Report article. It’s not impossible to tread in uncharted waters, but getting back to the familiar ground is not common. Again, it’s not impossible.

The article states we can do this one thing:

” A job that captures your imagination.”

I recently wrote an article about ways you can stand out online. If fact, I’ve written several articles on how older workers should and should not stand out. You just need to remember you’re not competing with other older workers:

Hate it! You’re competing with yourself.

Getting out there is a challenge, and because it’s a consideration, you are winning. What’s keeping you from contributing to conversations, articles, and other conversations where your input is valuable? How about bringing some of that bravado (20+ years) to the party? Just don’t mention your years of experience as the authority magnet.

Love it!

People are talking to you and telling you they love your story and it resonates with them. They even followed your advice and has more questions. The best part is your expertise is deepening.

Hate it!

Networking is your gateway to get in front of the right person(s). Just as you had to find people in the Yellow Pages, you’ll need to use online tools to find HR managers, hiring managers, and referrers. Last winter’s podcast with HR Executive Sarah Morgan, she reinforced how connecting with HR people online has the potential to lead you beyond submitting a resume.

Love it!

People are looking out for you now. You are building possibilities not only for now but also for future endeavors. Your “ask” is even deepening through these newfound relationships. You can even start asking people to follow up on your resume and even give you several other people to talk to within the company.

Hate it!

Focusing on the value of your work ONLY. If you’re always running your best race, does it matter what others are doing? When I see people doing well, and I feel a bit envious, I send the person a congratulatory note! But it’s a humbling process when you’re unsure of the impact of your work.

Love it! Your career results aren’t measurable ONLY through data. It helps to hear from others how your work impacts theirs. Asking for testimonies, recommendations, and referrals are ways to show you’re committed to offering value. All you need is one person who introduces you to the right person, but it’s a needle in a haystack.

It’s not easy doing stuff you don’t like. That’s what we teach the kids, right? It’s time to follow our advice. Now, about those 20+ years of experience – resist. It’s true but it’s not a rite of passage.