Feeling Lonely?

The last thing an older job seeker needs is to be one of the pack

There is an unmistakable advantage in knowing that, as a mature job seeker, you’re not alone. At last count there were more than one million Americans over the age of 50 who were out of work. (The good news is that the unemployment rate for our age group, over time, tends to be significantly lower than the overall jobless rate.)

Despite being one among many, during your job search you absolutely need to separate yourself from the pack of candidates. How else will a potential employer get to know you, get to remember you, and distinguish you from the other applicants?

How do you ensure that happens?

How does one get to be remembered; to stand out in a crowd? The ultimate answer is through your personal branding which is, of course, the grand total of what you have to offer the potential employer.

Consistent with the concept of branding (in an advertising or marketing sense), personal branding delivers a consistent message about who you are and what you have to offer. It’s the sum total of your skills, your abilities and your accomplishments as well as your attitude, your work ethic, your determination, et.al. Mix all of those together; stir smoothly; and, Voila! it’s your personal brand.

While there is comfort in knowing that you’re not alone in your job search, that there are many others of your age who are experiencing the precise same circumstances and challenges, you cannot fail to recognize, develop and display your own personal brand. Keep in mind that your next employer will hire you – the sum of what you are and what you bring to the table. In other words, you as represented by your personal brand.

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