It's never too late to find a job

Black Enterprise, Feb, 1996 by Terry Harty, Karen Kerkstra Harty, Cassandra Hayes

Reengineering, downsizing and restructuring have taken their toll and it's the over-50 workers who have suffered the most, They're talented, competent, and anxious to work, hut have the most difficulty finding jobs. The following is selectively excerpted from the new book Finding a Job After 50, by Terry Harty and Karen Kerkstra Harty, Experts in employment and training issues and outplacement service for the past 15 years, Karen and Terry Harty show how to turn age and experience into a hiring advantage.

When you were laid off or fired, you experienced a loss that cut more sharply and much deeper than the loss of a regular paycheck. You lost part of who you were. This loss of career identity brings with it loss of purpose, money, power and perks, as well as one of our primary sources for socialization. Maybe you are one of those people who gave yourself to the company-30 or 35 years of loyal service. Now you're unemployed. It's a tough pill to swallow, especially if your heart remains with that organization.

Work provided structure and purpose to your days. Perhaps you've worked for only one organization in your career. Whether it was a small business, a corporation, the government or the military, your job loyalty and security effectively insulated you from the throes, complexities and excitement of looking for work. Until now.

If this is your first time into the job-search waters, you are probably disheartened by the nuances of today's work arena. Already stressed and anxious because you are unemployed, the thought of learning how to find a job - and which one is best for you - can be intimidating and overwhelming.

THE JOB-SEARCH TRIAD

So, where to begin? First you'll need to understand the job-search triad. Each part of the triad is equally important and each will determine, or at least influence, the success of your mission. The triad is made up of the Job Marketplace, your Qualifictions and your Personal Preferences, Most people focus on the latter two in the mistaken notion that what they bring to the marketplace is what matters most.

Each part of the triad is interconnected at one point. And that point where the three circles overlap - where the Job Marketplace, your Qualifications and your Personal Preferences meet - represents your ideal employment opportunity. The more they overlap, the better your outlook for finding a job. If you dismiss any part of the triad as being unimportan you may still get a job, but you won't last long in it. Why? Because it will be a compromise position for you, and ultimately for the employer.

Let's define the terms: The Job Marketplace includes everthing that's out there in your community. What's there, in terms of jobs, and what isn't. Qualifications are what you bring to the marketplace: your experience, your interests and talents, your education, your training, etc. Personal Preferences are what you would like from a job: salary, hours, benefits, work environment, commute distance etc.

JOB MARKETPLACE

To assess your Job Marketplace you'll need to gather the following information about your area: What occupations are in demand? How much do they pay? Which occupations and positions are rarely advertised? What skills, experience and education are needed in what jobs? What is the unemployment rate? What internships or on-the-job training programs are available? How prevalent is age discrimination? (For the latter, see how many ads and industries specifically ask for "recent college graduate.") Buy a large binder and take notes, clip articles and collect data.

Mid-level managers often have a difficult time reentering the Job Marketplace because many businesses are downsizing and reengineering the management structure. Often there are lots of entry-level positions available, but the competition for mid-management jobs is fierce. If you're a victim of downsizing and your last position was middle management, you may have a tough time waltzing into something similar to or better than what you left. But there are some ways out of this predicament.

One option would be to go into business for yourself. If your experience and skills are in demand in the marketplace but not for a hefty salary - consider marketing your services to several different organizations. It can be an attractive solution for an employer: He doesn't have to pay benefits and he can use (therefore pay) you only when he needs you. You win, too, because you get to work and get your foot in the door at the same time. If a fulltime opening occurs later, you may get first crack at it. Or you may discover consulting fits you and you no longer want to work full-time for someone else.

QUALIFICATIONS

Another way to increase your employment opportunities is to update your Qualifications. There are many short-term employment and training opportunities available. Some training programs are funded by the federal and/or state governments and many specifically target older unemployed people. Look in the white pages of your phone book for a Private Industry Council. Ask about vocational and on-the-job-training programs for older workers. Special funds often have been earmarked especially for this purpose.