Expect the Unexpected

It really is a new day

After years – if not decades – working at the same job, or maybe multiple jobs in the same industry, you wake up one morning and you find yourself out in the street. Out of a job, you’re faced with having to do something that you really haven’t even thought about in more years than you can count. You need to look for a new job.

A new experience

At first blush it may not seem like that big of a deal. You’ve been able to find jobs relatively easily before and now, with all your experience – and remember, it was your lack of experience that held you back before – finding a job shouldn’t be that tough.

As you face your job search, you must be ready to do what the headline says, “Expect the unexpected.”

Don’t expect that prospective employers will welcome you with open arms just because you have a lot of experience. Expect that they will challenge your technology acumen. Expect that they will doubt your ability to adapt and to keep up.

Don’t expect that because that’s the way it’s always been that you’ll be able to easily land a traditional 9-5 job. It’s entirely possible that you may find yourself working in the “gig” economy – as a temporary, contract or part-time worker.

Don’t expect that a well-crafted resume may be all that you need to get your foot in the door and open possibilities for your next position. One study from careerplug.com showed that the average job opening today receives 100-250 applicants. And with applicant screening software, you may not even get to first base.

Don’t expect to overturn one, two or even a few rocks to find job opportunities. You can’t imagine where you’ll find your next job – online, through networking, at a job fair, etc. The possibilities are endless.

One thing you can expect… and that is if you work at it, if you’re diligent, if you’re smart – you will find your next position. Expect to find some employers (not all) who value older workers and welcome them with open arms.

They’re there. You just have to find one. And all you need to find is… one.

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