Have you begun to contemplate what you really want to do next?
Remember when you believed that you could change the world? Where are those dreams and aspirations of youth? You may feel you are now ready for a life makeover but are not sure what the changes should be. But you know you want more than what is...as you approach your second career.
Imagine what you'd like to do if you had no constraints
Sooner or later, we all yearn to break out of our secure harbors. The heart moves beyond the familiar and convenient into more adventurous realms of possibility. If we don't break out, our future will always remain in the hands of someone else...not as something we claim fully as our own. Living our life with a deeper understanding draws us to realize our ideals, walk our talk, and act in accord with what we know to be true. Begin by turning your attention to new opportunities you want to explore.
Create an 'elevator speech'
This is a 30-second answer to the inevitable question, "What do you do?"
It's how you describe your career transition (where you are and where you want to be) to someone who is riding up the elevator with you. It is brief and to-the-point so that you are able to complete your answer before s/he reaches his or her designated floor. Your distinct answer provides the information the person you are talking to needs to easily remember you and connect you with others (in their personal network) who can help you get to where you want to be. Do not begin networking with people until you really know your elevator speech and can easily recite it. If you are unclear on who you are and where you want to be, people can't help you get there.
Hit the phones and your email list
The relationships that you have built are important as you transition to what is next for you.
Only 10% of all jobs are filled through ads and 10% are filled through search firms. Instead, direct contact and networking are more effective for most searches. For mature workers, the most common way to find a new job is by using one's social networks (51%) versus ads (12%), search firms (8%), mailing/direct approach (5%) and Internet (2%).
Caution: Don't network too soon. If your goals are vague, the contacts you make can't help you much and your contacts may even be put off by your lack of direction.
The mood is pretty grim around the old water cooler these days. Revenues and profits are down, stock prices have tanked and cost-cutting executives are roaming the compound looking for human sacrifices. How do you avoid the blow from their terrible swift swords? Or, as a career counselor would put it: How do you make yourself indispensable in hard times?
Be careful before you hook up with a career coach. The quality of counsel varies greatly, and choosing the wrong coach can be an expensive mistake. Insist on a free telephone consultation where you can ask the coach about his or her business experience and credentials. Find out whether the coach favors practical assignments or flakier exercises like drafting a screenplay of your life.
Decide to begin the transition to your second career
Your self-worth is not about identifying with your past job. According to ExecuNet, the average executive had 3.7 jobs in the past ten years. Successful people know their abilities get them to next level. Work with your coach to understand your strengths and learn how to manage your weaknesses. By knowing yourself and being creative, you may opt for self-employment, contract work or other flexible arrangements---rather than full-time work.
Even though you have spent your career in giant corporations, your search may lead you to small or medium-sized companies where less age discrimination and lower salaries exist. By identifying your transferable skills and packaging yourself for a new job function or new industry, you can greatly increase your chances of success
Visit the Blogging Boomer Carnival #48 today.