For Boomers Going — or Going Back — into Business

from boomercafe.com

If you’re a baby boomer who suffered through decades of working in “command-and-control“ environments, where upper management dominated decision-making with little if any input from ordinary workers, you know that they could be harsh and unhealthy. So if now, in your later years, you’re thinking of starting your own business, listen up.

    There’s a viable alternative to top-down, command-control management styles.

Older workers are facing up to the Covid-19 jobs crisis by becoming entrepreneurs and using a lifetime of skills to strike out on their own. The over-50s have suffered more redundancies than any other age group, but many are now fighting back by setting up online businesses, typically working from home.

Even at the best of times, it’s natural to feel unsure of yourself when it comes to networking. You may be thinking, “I’ve reached out to my friends and colleagues, contacted my network on LinkedIn...but now what?” 

    In the current climate, it’s important to take it a step further and access all your available resources when looking for a job—some which you may not even know you have.

A former colleague hears you’re on the job market and agrees to meet to see how they can help. A friend brokers an introduction to someone they know who is working in your dream role. You read an article that mentions one of your dream companies has brought on Suzy Bigwig to take over the very department you would want to work in. You reach out to Suzy to share market insights, and she agrees to a call!

    These are all examples of informational interviews. These aren’t job interviews because you’re not talking about a specific opening or even to explore opportunities in general. These interviews are about gathering information.

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“What are you doing for the holidays?” Granted, this year is mostly likely vastly different from years past, it’s still a familiar question people ask this time of year.

    As an active, 50+ job seeker, your focus may be a little different. Of course you’ll be spending time with loved ones, but, despite the weather, your job search should not be put on ice. 

    There is much you can do this time of year – even though few hiring managers are interviewing and many are taking time off – most employers are putting off making hiring decisions until the new year.

    So, how to get the most of this season? What better time to review and update your resume and/or your LinkedIn profile – and all of your personal branding? Maybe you should re-think your elevator pitch, or create different versions of your resume for different situations. Not only do you have time to accomplish those tasks over the holidays, you also may have time to do some research to find the latest theories on those subjects.

    Speaking of research, this is an opportune time to do some detailed research on your target companies. You also may want to consider expanding your list of target companies. Similarly, it’s good time to expand and to research and/or reach out to people in your network.

    Looking at the bigger picture, this may be a good time to do some soul searching or some critical self-evaluation of your entire job search approach. What’s working? What’s not working? What can you do better?

    Even though (or maybe because) employers may not be actively hiring right now, this is a good time to circle back and reconnect with contacts with whom you have not spoken recently. They may have more time now to speak with you and, with a quality conversation, you can put yourself back on their radar screens.

    Then again,in addition to hiring managers and recruiters, this might be an excellent time to re-connect with some of your fellow job seekers. It’s good to commiserate and you might even learn something new.

    Although the work-a-day world may be downshifting now, that doesn’t mean that you and your job search should hibernate as well.