Q TIPS:
Quick and Quintessential Career & Job Tips
Job-hunting tips from the May 27, 2002 issue of
QuintZine.
If you are over 50 and looking for a new job, you may
experience some prejudice because of your age. What to do?
Bob Weinstein, author of So What If I'm Fifty? Straight
Talk and Proven Strategies for Getting Hired in the
Toughest Job Market Ever, says that bias against those
over 50 is a job-market fact. However, he says, allowing
yourself to feel defeated just becomes a self-fulfilling
prophecy. Here are some of his tips to overcome ageism and
get hired:
Promise to meet any challenge that arises.
Don't use slang in interviews because you think it makes
you sound younger.
Emphasize specific creative projects that you've made a
success.
It's hard to avoid the occasional letdown as you
climb your way up the corporate ladder. But employment
expert Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps and author
of Managing Your Career For Dummies® (Hungry Minds, Inc.),
points out that you can take steps to ease your
emotional stress and quickly get your career back on track.
In fact, you may even benefit in the long run, he notes.
Messmer offers the following suggestions for turning
a step back into a step forward:
Take time to recover. Allow yourself time to deal
with the emotional response you may feel -- such as anger
or disappointment -- before making your next move.
Reflect on the situation. Ask yourself questions
about what happened, such as "What external factors
impacted the outcome? What could I have done differently?"
Don't take it personally. Remember that failure is
situational -- while you may fail in your attempts to
accomplish a particular goal, you are not a failure.
Look for the silver lining. You've probably heard
the paradox that success includes failure. Although
your tendency may be to dwell on what you've lost or
given up, focus your thoughts on what you can
gain. For example, if you've been laid off
from a job, take the opportunity to re-examine your
career goals.
Learn from your mistakes. Enduring a setback can
enhance your sense of self-awareness and help you
understand your limitations. The next time you find
yourself in a similar situation put your newfound
knowledge to use.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has put out a report,
Working in the 21st Century. Each section of the
report covers a major trend and offers a chart,
print-friendly version, and statistics.
Among major trends covered:
The labor force is growing more slowly.
The labor force is getting older.
More women are working today than in the past.
Minorities are the fastest growing part of the labor force.
Immigrants are found at the high and low ends of the education scale.
Education pays.
Some jobs with above-average earnings do not require
a bachelor's degree, but most require substantial training.
Workers with computer skills are in demand.
The 10 occupations that will generate the most
jobs range widely in their skill requirements.
Benefits account for more than a quarter of total compensation.
Retirement plans are changing.
Workers will be supporting more Social Security recipients.
The trend in years spent with an employer is down for
men and up for women.
The temporary help industry has grown rapidly.
The most common alternative employment arrangement
is independent contractor.
If you are over 50 and looking for a new job, you may
experience some prejudice because of your age. What to do?
Bob Weinstein, author of So What If I'm Fifty? Straight
Talk and Proven Strategies for Getting Hired in the
Toughest Job Market Ever, says that bias against those
over 50 is a job-market fact. However, he says, allowing
yourself to feel defeated just becomes a self-fulfilling
prophecy. Here are some of his tips to overcome ageism and
get hired:
