Now that everyone and their cousin is on Facebook, you’ll probably run across this problem—what do you do if your boss asks to “friend” you?

Phil Gerbyshak tackles this timely issue on his blog, reminding us that navigating the friend/no friend waters can be tricky and loaded with unexpected hazards. His advice to not cross the personal/professional line is standard good business. Read the whole article here.

I wonder, though, if this isn’t a generational issue that some of us are on the “wrong” side of?

From what I hear, younger workers (and their often equally young bosses) don’t have the same views on keeping work and personal life separate as dinosaurs like me have. If you’re working in a hip, tech-oriented company and your whole department is all over social media, then connecting with everyone on Facebook is probably the modern equivelent of the water cooler—everyone who’s anyone drops by several times a day to keep up with the latest news. In that case, not joining in could brand you as an outsider, unfriendly, out of the loop, or just not a team player—any of which could mean death to your next promotion.

Regardless of your company culture, keep your Facebook (and Twitter) profiles clean, well-groomed and ready for public inspection at any time. Even if you do decide not to friend your boss, your info can easily get passed around by friends-of-friends and your boss could end up seeing something you’d rather she not know about.

I’m curious—what do you think about bosses and employees connecting on Facebook? Would you/do you do it, and why or why not?

If you’re confused or uncertain about your future, not sure where to go or what’s needed to be competitive in today’s job market, or just looking for some help in the new world of social networking, your answer is here.

My friend, Phil Gerbyshak, has put together the clearest and most comprehensive step-by-step guide to this notion of “branding” yourself I’ve ever read.

Whether you’re looking for a new job, or want to improve the one you have, or you’re ready to step out on your own with a new business, you owe it to yourself to read—and heed—this guide. And it’s completely free—right on Phil’s blog. No sign-ups, no downloads, just there for the taking.

Now, go get started.

Karen Burns’ blog post about social media and job search has some excellent points for job seekers.

In particular, her tip:

Stake out some Internet real estate to serve as a “landing page.” This can be a blog, a Website, or your LinkedIn profile. Why do you need a landing page? So people (i.e., potential employers) who are interested, can easily find out more about you.

This is an important point, and one that’s often overlooked. Social networking sites always have a place for you to add your website to your bio or profile. Many people who are looking for jobs don’t have website, though, and end up leaving that part blank.

Linking to your LinkedIn profile as part of your bio on Facebook, Twitter, Plaxo and others is a great way to let people—including future employers—learn more about you.

Another resource I recommend for a landing page is VisualCV. Using VisualCV, you essentially create a webpage about yourself with a unique url. You can include your resume,video, audio, spreadsheets, articles, photos, pretty much whatever you want. As an added bonus, you can network and search for jobs on their site.

Welcome back to the third in a series of blog posts designed to help older job seekers get hired! So far, we’ve talked about how having a positive attitude makes all the difference in a job search, and given you some specific action steps to get you off on the right step towards a new job. By this point, you should have an idea of what you want to do and are ready for your new career.

As an older job seeker, there are some final steps you can take to get that perfect job you’re looking for.

Your Resume

1. Don’t hide your age, but don’t go out of your way to emphasize it. Leave off dates of school graduations and training classes. Don’t say you have “25 years of experience”.
2. Use a functional or a chrono-functional resume rather than a strictly chronological one. List your experience in order of relevance to the job you’re applying for and not by date.
3. Make sure your resume is forward-looking. Tell the reader what you can do for his or her company, not just what you’ve done in the past.
4. Don’t list out-of-date skills. You want to present yourself as familiar with the latest technology and jargon.
5. Keep up to date with resume technology. No one sends resumes via snail mail now—electronic delivery is the norm, so make sure your resume is in a format that can be sent that way.
6. Include language in your cover letter about flexibility, adaptability, and willingness to learn. Emphasize that you are a proven commodity, used to making decisions, reliable, stable and great at problem-solving.

Your Interview

1. If you are interviewed by a younger manager, make a point of talking about situations where you worked well with younger people, especially if you had a younger boss. Make it clear that you embrace change. An attitude that says “I’ve been doing it this way for 20 years and it’s never been a problem” won’t help you.
2. Emphasize your experience; it’s a good thing. One huge advantage you have over younger workers is your knowledge and expertise, so focus on what you know about your industry.
3. Businesses are all about making money, so identify what you can do for a company in monetary terms.  If you identify a concrete benefit you provided to former employers and can describe ways you will do the same for this organization, you’ll put yourself at the head of the pack.
4. Don’t give in to stereotypes. You’re probably very aware of the preconceived ideas some people have about older workers. Use your interview time to disprove these myths and show that you are a valuable asset to the organization.
5. Be prepared for questions that are borderline unlawful, inappropriate, or even outright illegal—although it is not against the law for an interviewer to ask how old you are. If an interviewer asks questions that suggest he or she is concerned about your age, the AARP recommends responding with a question such as: “How do you see my age affecting my ability to do the job?” Don’t be confrontational or pushy, and use the response to frame your expertise as an asset to the company.

Final Tips

1. Be proud of who you are and what you’ve accomplished. You’ve worked hard to get where you are; reflect on that while being enthusiastic about what you still want to accomplish.
2. Find companies that seek out and value older workers. Here’s a list, compiled by AARP. More senior-friendly companies: Home Depot, Borders, CVS, Verizon, Cingular Wireless, GE, IBM, Lockheed Martin and Staples.
3. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. Many communities have job search help for older workers; SCORE is a great resource if you’re starting your own business. If you need help revising an out-of-date resume, hire a professional. If you can’t figure out what you want to do, or you feel overwhelmed by your situation, consider a career coach.
4. These resources can be invaluable in helping with your job search: Senior Job Bank , Workforce50, Seniors4Hire, Jobs4Point0, SimplyHired, AARP.

I know the unrelenting bad news about the economy is depressing, but don’t let it affect your attitude. Yes, jobs are hard to come by, but thousands of older workers conduct successful job searches and get hired. You can do this! For many of you, this involves a new way of thinking and acting and the steps I’ve laid out may seem daunting. There’s plenty for you to do here, and all of it will help move you from where you are to where you want to be.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, recommendations and job search stories—good and bad. Hit the comment button and share!

Photo by MyisticMoon14

In my last post, I talked about how your attitude is 95% of your job search. If you believe a company won’t hire you because you’re too old (or too fat, or too young, or a woman, or a minority, or blonde), your belief will become reality and you won’t get hired.

So, if you’re over 50 and looking for a job, the first thing you need to do is get rid of the negative thinking. I gave you some tools to start with, and you  need to be putting them into practice before moving on to the next part.

Now that we’ve got your attitude in line with your desires, let’s talk about some other action steps you can take to get hired.

Your Objective

1. Start by deciding what you want to do next. This situation may be the first time in years where you can act on what you want to do rather than what you need to do.
2. Keep all your options open. Do you want to continue your previous field of work, or is it time to explore something new? Can you start your own business? Are you willing to work part-time? Weekends? If you have health coverage from your spouse, can you consider a job where you don’t need the health benefit?
3. Are you hung-up on a title, or is doing productive, interesting work the most important thing?

Your Knowledge

1. Update your knowledge before sending out resumes. Keep up with the latest industry jargon and trends.
2. Get involved in social networking. Join LinkedIn, post a profile and start connecting with other people in your industry. Get on Facebook and Twitter, too—they’re not just for kids, and by putting yourself out there you’ll show that you’re not too old to learn new tricks.
3. Join professional organizations and attend the meetings and events regularly. Not only will you meet people and expand your network, you’ll show that you can interact positively with people of all ages.
4. Volunteer your skills for a cause you believe in. You’ll do good while honing your expertise and meeting new people.

Your Appearance

1. Take a good look at yourself. Do you present a healthy, vigorous, energetic appearance? Looks may be superficial, but it’s a hard fact that we make judgments about people in the first 3 seconds of meeting them. If you haven’t bought a new suit since the Carter administration, it’s time to update your wardrobe.
2. Carry yourself well. Stand straight and walk with a firm, athletic step. Be enthusiastic, upbeat and open in your demeanor. Use this down time to hit the gym and get a little more exercise. You’ll do your body—and your attitude—a favor.
3. Are you bothered by your gray hair? If so, then other people will be bothered. Consider changing your hair color slightly to give yourself a more vibrant, youthful appearance. If, on the other hand, you have a head of hair like Dennis Farina or Olympia Dukakis, wear it proudly.

If you take these steps to heart, you’ll be in a great position to land that new job. Tomorrow, I’ll have some specifics about resumes and interviewing for older job seekers and share some great resources to help you along the way.

Please share other ideas about job search for the over-50 crowd—I’d love to read them!

I recently had a discussion with someone who insisted that her husband would never be able to get a job because he is over 55.

This seems to be a common belief—if you’re over a certain age, companies won’t hire you. Forget it. You’re too old. No one wants you. Give it up and vegetate in front of the TV, because life as you know it is over.

I’ve written a couple of previous blog posts offering job search tips for the over-55 crowd (and, by the way, I’m now officially in that group), but it feels like I need to say more.

What “oldsters” must do to get a job.

So, if you’re “older” and you’re looking for work, keep reading; I’m going to tell you exactly what you need to do to get a job. And not just any job—a job you want, for a company you want to work for, at the salary you want, and doing work you feel happy and satisfied to be doing.

Ready?

Here’s 95% of the issue in one step.

If you believe that you can’t get a job because you’re too old, you will never get a job.

This is what’s called a “limiting belief” and it will kill you every time.

Stop thinking (and saying), “No one will hire me because I’m too old.” Just stop it. Right now.

Deliberately and thoughtfully redirect your thoughts to what you do want. Let your imagination dwell positively and favorably on your dream job—the type of work, the type of organization, where you want to live, how much money you want to make, the benefits you want—get it all. Don’t censor yourself, or allow other limiting beliefs to creep in.

For example, say you want a salary of $100,000 per year. But that little voice in your head says, “I’ll never get that much money. Be reasonable. I’m old. Why would a company pay me that much, when they could hire a 30-something for far less? Better make it $60,000.”

Well, you’ve just ensured yourself a $60,000 a year job, instead of the $100,000 you really want.

So, OK…am I really saying you can “imagine” yourself into a job?

Yes. Yes, I am.

Now, you do need to take action in support of your belief, but action without the belief will get you nothing, just as belief without action gets you nothing. In my next blog post, I’ll lay out the exact action steps you need to take to find a job if you’re “older”.

Your first step.

In the meantime, cultivate that new attitude. Here’s your first assignment.

Write down exactly the job you want to have and don’t leave anything out. Writing it down helps solidify the idea in your mind. Then, spend 10 minutes every morning focusing on that job. Close your eyes and put yourself right there. During the day, every time you start having negative thoughts about your job situation redirect those thoughts into something positive. Change, “I’m too old; I’ll never get a job” to “I have a job where I’m happy and fulfilled.” If that’s too big of a jump right off, change it to, “I have a lot to offer any company. I’m feeling more positive about my job prospects.” It doesn’t have to be true; you don’t even have to believe it. Just change the thoughts—even a little—and see where your new attitude leads you.

Please share your thoughts about job search and positive attitudes, and check back tomorrow for some specific actions you can take to get that dream job—even if you’re “old”.

PS —For you skeptics out there who think that you can’t change reality (whatever “reality” is), I offer this. Give my method a try. For 30 days, commit to changing your negative thoughts about your job situation. What have you got to lose? If this is nonsense, you haven’t lost a thing. But…what if I’m right?

2. Your network. You need to network. Period. You have to put yourself out there and tell everyone you meet that you’re looking for a job. Find a group (alumni, occupation, or interest) in your local area and start going to meetings.

3. Old-fashioned strategies. If you’re relying on reading the want ads, or scouring online job mega-sites to find a job, you’re wasting your time. These avenues are only a small part of a successful job search strategy. Learn about social networking sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Plaxo and start expanding your network.

4. Targeted research. To be really effective, your job search must include thorough research and data collection on potential employers. Develop some specific criteria and then target companies you want to work for, industries that are projected to have plenty of openings, and local companies in need of your specific skills. Once you have the information, mine your network to find people with a connection to your target companies and make contact to set up informational interviews.

5. Your resume. If you’re sending out lots of resumes and doing due diligence in networking but you’re not getting calls for interviews, take a hard look at your resume. Are you targeting it to specific jobs, or are you relying on a generic one? Are your resume and cover letter free of typos and grammatical errors? Think about spending the money to have a professional look it over and give you some tips for improvement.

6. Follow up #1. Are you following up on your resumes, or do you just send them out into the darkness and hope they get where they need to be? Make a call a few days after sending your resume to make sure the office got it, and then go ahead and ask to set up a time for an interview. People who take the initiative to follow-up in a pleasant and professional way are more likely to land an interview.

7. Interviews. If you’re getting called for interviews but never get called back, your interview skills may be lacking. Work with a professional to smooth out the rough edges and learn how to present yourself in a positive, confident manner. For best results, find someone who will set up a mock interview and videotape it so you can see exactly how you come across.

8. Follow up #2. Once you have an interview, follow up within 24 hours with a hand-written thank you note to everyone involved in the interview – including the receptionist or secretary who greeted you when you arrived. By sending a hand-written note, you’re really setting yourself above the crowd – many of who don’t send notes at all.

9. Follow-up #3. OK, you’ve aced the interview and sent nice hand-written notes, and still the phone doesn’t ring. If you haven’t heard anything by the time the hiring decision was supposed to have been made, pick up the phone and follow up again. Be polite and professional, but make your interest in the job known.

10. Get feedback. Whenever you’re turned down for a job, write a thank-you note to the interviewer and ask if you can get some feedback on why you didn’t get the job. You could score some critical information to help you in your future interviews. And make sure to express your continued interest in the company – you never know what other jobs they have opening up and it never hurts to let them know you’re interested.

I’d like to hear your thoughts on why job searchers are having trouble finding work. Hit the comment button and share your best ideas!

While there are a number of things to take into account during a job search, following these 11 tips will put you ahead of the competition and speed you on your way to that new job.

1. Check your attitude. I know being out of work can be sometimes be demoralizing and depressing, but as long as you view yourself in those terms, that’s the image you’ll project. Having a strong, positive, energetic attitude is 98% of the battle.

2. Network, network, network. Nothing beats networking to help a job search. And you need to be everywhere, both online and in person. Remember – successful networking is figuring out what you can do for other people, not what they can do for you.

3. Put a professional face out to the world. If your email address is prettyhotandtastyinDC@hotmail.com, or Yankeessuck@hotmail.com (both real emails I’ve seen, by the way), you’re probably already lost the job. If your voicemail features a drunken impression of a celebrity, or your dog barking hello, you’ve probably already lost the job. Change your email to JohnSmith@gmail.com. Change your voicemail message to: “You’ve reached Susan Smith. Please leave a message and I’ll call you back. Thank you.” Is adding another email address a pain in the rear? Yep. Do you want a job, or do you want the freedom to express yourself totally uncensored? And, really…how long does it take to check a gmail account—two minutes, three times a day? You’re so busy being unemployed, you don’t have six extra minutes?

4. Create a specific resume for each job. Don’t rely on a generic resume. Research the position you’re applying for and build your resume around the job requirements, using the same keywords that are used in the job description. If you’re not getting any nibbles on your current resume, spend the money and have a professional resume writer look it over.

5. Use social networking. At a minimum, you need to be on LinkedIn. Ideally, add Facebook and Twitter. Consider creating a resume on VisualCV. Don’t just throw up a profile on these sites and then sit back and wait. You need to engage people, see what you can do to help them, and get known for your expertise.

6. Set up a professional profile. Make sure your profile on social networking sites presents you at your best. Add a good, clear headshot. Ditch the photos of you doing Jell-o shots in Cancun. No vampires or super-pokes. Regularly update your status with positive, relevant info.

7. Join professional associations. Check in your local area for associations in your field, then get out there and start participating. If there isn’t a local group, join Toastmasters or start your own group on MeetUp.

8. Volunteer your time. Find a cause you believe in and volunteer your time and expertise. First, it’ll get you out of the house. Second, you’ll feel good about what you’re doing. Third, it’s something new to add to your resume. Finally, it’s a good way to meet people and add to your contact list.

9. Use all available resources. Check with your local employment office, or community college to see what they have available for job seekers. Contact your college alumni office. Join groups on LinkedIn and on Facebook. Tell everyone you know that you’re looking for a job – you never know who knows someone who’s hiring.

10. Say thank you. Everyone likes to be appreciated, so be sure to hand-write personal thank-you notes to everyone who helps you. This includes receptionists and admin assistants, as well as the interviewer, whenever you score an interview. A hand-written note will make a huge impression and will make you stand out as an exceptional candidate.

And finally, the most important…

11. Be good to yourself. Your job search is important, but don’t let it consume your life. Take time every day to be good to yourself. Go fishing. Take the dog for an extra-long walk. Visit a museum. Go to a matinee of a movie you’re wanted to see. You’ll come back from these breaks reinvigorated and ready to take on the world again.

Following these tips will greatly improve your chances of landing that perfect job. What tips would you offer to job seekers? I’d love to hear your ideas, or what’s worked for you?

The Washington Post Magazine cover article on Sunday featured Craig Lewis, returning Iraq war veteran, and the difficulties he found in getting a job.

Reading the article, I saw several areas where Craig could have improved his chances of finding the right job, in much less time than the 16 months it took him.

1. Not knowing what he wanted to do. Craig had a list of things he didn’t want to do but he didn’t seem to know what he did want to do. For a job search to succeed, you need a specific focus. He applied to a lot of jobs, even “...for positions whose titles he didn’t fully understand.”

2. A bad resume. Craig updated his resume to include his military experience, but the bullet points he used didn’t translate his military duties to civilian language.  It’s a hard truth, but most people reading his resume don’t care about his combat experience unless it directly relates to the job they’re trying to fill.

3. Sending his resume out blind. Craig did what a lot of job seekers do—he shotgunned his (generic) resume out to huge job boards like Monster and CareerBuilder, and sent blindly to big corporations. That’s a slightly better strategy than nailing it to a tree, but not by much. Job seekers need to write a targeted resume for a specific job and send that resume to the decision-maker at the company.

4. No network. While in training, during deployment, and when he came back, Craig made no attempt to stay in contact with the principal of the school where he had been teaching. He dropped in to ask for a job without any preparation and out of the blue. That doesn’t sit well with most people, and the principal was no exception. Should the school have made an attempt to support one of their own, deployed to a war zone? Sure…but that doesn’t change the fact that Craig needed to do some networking of his own.

5. Reliance on traditional means of job searching. Nowadays, if you’re not using social networking (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc) you’re at a disadvantage. There are also specialized networking groups for military people on Ning and at MOAA. MOAA has an incredible array of job assistance for military officers. At a minimum, Craig should have taken advantage of all they have to offer, as well as reaching out and establishing a network on LinkedIn.

6. Not getting professional help. Hiring a resume writer who specializes in military-to-civilian resumes, or working with a career coach, would have shortened Craig’s job search considerably. Trying to do it all on your own is tough; spend the money and get the benefit of professional experience. If cost is an issue, MOAA has a lot of free services and many coaches (including me) offer reduced rates to military members.

7. A defeatist attitude. Perhaps it was the way the article was written but, to me, Craig came across as having a feeling of entitlement (“The school system ought to be begging [me] to come back, not the other way around.”) And, like many job seekers, he started doubting his own self-worth when companies didn’t fall all over themselves to hire him. I’m not suggesting that returning vets aren’t entitled to a good job—in fact, Federal law requires their former employer to hire them back. But the negative energy you manifest by feeling “entitled”, or feeling unworthy, comes across clearly in an interview. Counselling, or working with a coach, can help a job seeker get past those feelings and learn to portray confidence and a can-do attitude—and that can make all the difference.

These tips aren’t just for returning vets—they apply equally well to job seekers of any background.

I’m interested in your thoughts about job search mistakes you’ve made, or more tips on how to get that perfect job. Hit the comment button and please share!