restarting at 50: moving forward from an unexpected job loss later in life

Restarting at 50Moving forward from an Unexpected Job Loss Later in Life

ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

Presentation Overview

• Goals

• Background

• Preparing for the job hunt

• The résumé

• Social media

• Job hunting options

• The interview

• The new job


Presentation Goals

This presentation is not intended to providecareer counseling; rather its purpose is to sharethe real-life experiences of a 50-somethingengineer who suddenly found herself out ofwork. The goal is to stimulate discussion amongthose who are or have been in a similar position.

That being said, I will include some tips from my jobsearch, along with some of the advice I received

from career counseling services.


Background - Who I am

• BS/MS Materials Engineering with a primary focus onwelding metallurgy

• Spent ~15 years in the welding consumable manufacturingindustry doing everything from welding electrodedevelopment to welding safety and health to technicalservice

• In 2000 I took a job with a member-based consulting firmas a senior project engineer

• After 8 years in that position, I decided to try my hand atproject management, and made a lateral move within thecompany


Background – Why I’m here

• In 2010, the unthinkable happened

• I found myself out of work after 10 years with thecompany

• My previous job transitions had always been on myterms

• With a teenage daughter at home, relocation wasnot an attractive option


Before you lose your job

• Keep an eye out for warning signs

• Don’t think that it can’t or won’t happen to you

• If you suspect your job may be terminated in thefuture, now is the time to start looking

• Build your network/contacts while you are stillworking

• Remember – it is easier to find a job if you have ajob!


When you get the news…

• If possible, negotiate for a good severance package

– Bonuses

– Health insurance

– Stock options

– Unused vacation

• Consult an attorney

• It’s important to understand what your rights are what youmight be giving up when you sign your severanceagreement

• Collecting unemployment


Emotional Stages of Job Loss

• Denial

• Disbelief

• Outward anger

• Self-criticism

• Withdrawal

• Reflection

• Acceptance


Get over it!

• It’s important to come to terms with the job lossbefore you start looking for a new job

• If you are angry or depressed it will come through inyour search

• It is essential to have a good explanation about whyyou lost the previous job

– Don’t play the blame game

– Be honest

– If you don’t believe it, neither will they


Career Counseling Services

• Can help you move forward through yourtransition

• Résumé services – writing, reviewing, printingservices

• Job boards

• Personal presentation

• Practice interviews

• Some companies will pay costs if you are laid offor terminated


It’s Not Your Mother’s Résumé

• Start with a summary of your experience/skills

– Should be tailored to specific job you are applying for

– Use key words that match the words in the job descriptions

• Use bullet points to highlight major achievements

• How do you highlight a wealth of experience without comingacross as old?

– Over 20 years experience in… vs. 30 years experience in…

– May be helpful to try to avoid using dates when possible (butdon’t go overboard to the point that it looks like you’ve gotsomething to hide)


The Résumé

• A two-page résumé is okay,but don’t overdo it

• It is not necessary to list everyjob that you have ever held –emphasize relevant experience

• Have a separate page (or pages) listing publications andpresentations

• Be ready to provide references if requested

– Be sure to give your references a heads-up beforeyou provide their names to potential employers


Avoid Tired or Overused Buzzwordsand Phrases

• Extensive experience

• Innovative

• Motivated

• Results-oriented

• Dynamic

• Proven track record

• Team player

• Fast-paced

• Problem solver

• Entrepreneurial

• Detail-oriented

• Excellent communicationskills

• Self-starter

• Leadership skills

• Works well with customers

• Managed cross-functionalteams

• Skilled problem solver

• Proven ability


Job Hunting in the Age ofSocial Media


Job Hunting in the Age ofSocial Media

• Social media can be a useful tool or a deathtrap forsomeone looking for a job

• LinkedIn is probably the most helpful of the social mediaoutlets for job hunters

– A large number of search firms and independent “head-hunters” use LinkedIn

– Make sure your profile is up-to-date and ask friends andformer co-workers for recommendations

– 33 percent of employers who research candidates onsocial networking sites say they’ve found content thatmade them more likely to hire a candidate


Social Media Faux Pas

• Before beginning your job search, check your socialmedia pages for inappropriate content

• Rule of thumb – if you wouldn’t want your mother to seeit, don’t post it

– Provocative or inappropriate photographs or information

– Posts about excessive drinking or drug use

– Bad-mouthing previous company or fellow employee(s)

– Poor communication skills

– Discriminatory comments related to race, gender, religion etc.

– Lying about qualifications


The Job Search

• Use of job search engines

– Monster.com

– Careerbuilder.com

– Simplyhired.com

– Theladders.com

– + many, many more

• Company job pages

• Industry/trade group pages

• Personal contacts

• “Head-hunters”


Internet Job Search Engines

• Aka the “black hole”

• My experience

– Low hit rate

– Résumés go in but nothing comes out

– Useful for making your quota for job applications forcollecting unemployment

– But… the more your résumé is out there, the more likelyit is that the “right” person will find it


Company Job Pages

• Pick companies you are interested in in yoursearch area and monitor their job boards

• Many offer e-mail alerts for particular job searchterms

• When you find a position that you are interestedin applying for, tailor your cover letter and resumeto fit the job


Headhunters

• Whether you choose to use a headhunter (aka job searchfirm/recruiter) or not, chances are that once you startapplying for jobs they will find you

• Can help to target your job search

• May have access to unpublished job searches

• In many cases, the fees are paid by the company

• The fee is typically calculated as a percentage of thestarting salary, so they have a vested interest in helpingyou to negotiate a better salary, and some will negotiateon your behalf


How can you be sure that yourrésumé is getting to the right people?

• Computer screening may filter out candidateswhose qualifications do not exactly match thequalifications of the job description

• May take some digging to find out who the hiringmanager is

• Do you have contacts within the company who canhelp you out?


Phone Interviews

• If possible, use a land line

• If you must use a cell phone, make sure you are in alocation where you have a strong, consistent signal

• Make sure phone/handset is fully charged

• Reduce/eliminate background noise

– Squeaky chair

– Kids/pets

– Street noises

– Television/radio

– Background noises associated with public location

• Smile!


Video Interviews

• Increasingly companies are going to video interviews for thefirst or second interview

• Make sure your computer can handle the systemrequirements

• Use a desktop system if possible, but if not, set your laptopon a table or other stable location at eye level

• Be aware of what is behind you that will be visible to theinterviewer

• Dress appropriately

• Do a visual check ahead of time


The Interview - Appearance Matters!

• That suit that you wore for a job interview in the 90’s maynot be a good choice for a job interview in 2014

• A two-piece matched suit is the best and safest choice

• Dress slacks and a well-coordinated blazer may beappropriate

• Try to avoid looking dowdy

• It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed

• Most importantly – look professional


To Color or Not to Color?

Even though it may be fairly obvious from yourrésumé that you are well into your 50’s, the hiringmanager may not consider you as being too oldunless you look old

September, 2010 September, 2011


Making a Good Impression Duringthe Interview

• Research the company

• Have some specific, relevant questions about thecompany and the job prepared ahead of time

• Body language is important

• Rehearse

• Have some personal success stories that you can talkabout

• If a presentation is required, pick a subject that you arecomfortable with – if it highlights your strengths orsuccesses, all the better


What Not to Do During an Interview

• Answer cell phone or text during the interview (it’s bestto turn cell phone off, or at a minimum put it on silent)

• Dress inappropriately or wear too much make-up,jewelry or perfume

• Appear disinterested

• Appear arrogant

• Speak negatively about a current or previous employer

• Chew gum

• Do provide specific answers to interviewer’s questions

• Do ask thoughtful questions


After the Interview

• Send a brief follow-up note thanking the interviewer forhis/her time; tell him/her that you would be happy to answerany additional questions

• If possible, mention something specific from the interview ormaybe send a copy of one of your publications that came upduring the interview

• Send a follow-up e-mail expressing your continued interestin the position two or three days after the date when youexpected to hear from them

• If you do not get a response after two attempts, move on


Should you accept a less-than-ideal job offer?

• Salary

• Location

• Not exactly what you want

• A step back from a previous position

• Concerns about supervisor or coworkers

Is it better to go ahead and take the job and continue to look,or should you turn it down in the hopes that something betterwill come along?


Things to Consider Before TurningDown a Job

• How long have you been out of work?

• Current family situation

• If the issue is location, does the location represent aminor inconvenience (e.g., a longer commute) or wouldit require uprooting your family and moving across thecountry?

• Is there potential for growth/promotion/moving into amore suitable position

• How long do you think you could put up with thenegatives before you would feel compelled to quit?


Hanging a Shingle

• Working as an independent consultant may be an optionfor some people in some fields

• May be difficult to establish a client base

• Do you have access to equipment/facilities that you mayneed to do the job?

• Success will depend on level of commitment

– Can mean long hours with low returns, especially initially

– Is it a short-term filler while you are looking for a full-time position?

Consulting definitely is not for everybody!


Major Career Change

• Losing a job could be an opportunity to explore a newcareer path

• Is there something you’ve always thought you might begood at, but never really had the chance to give it a try?

• Is additional training or education required?

– Can you afford the tuition?

– Can you afford to be without income for awhile?

• What sort of safety net do you have in place?

• Is early retirement an option?


The Light at the End of the Tunnel

• Congratulations – you’ve landed a job!

• Salary negotiations

• Vacation

• Background check

• Drug testing

Don’t jump the gun and post the new position on LinkedIn(or other social media) until you actually start the job!

Questions?

Thank you!

restarting at 50: moving forward from an unexpected job loss later in life

Engineering

job search

job linkedin

job hunters

job descriptions

job lossbefore

specific job

hideitws enterprise

previous job dont