D.Y. writes: “My goal is to get a job. I am a 60 year old woman (some say I look 45
LOL) who lost her job last Sept of 05 due to downsizing. Out of fear of rejection, because of my age and my physical and mental issues (I have lymphedema in my left arm, a side affect of Breast Cancer I had in 2000 and I also have diabetes and I am Bi-Polar.) I have worked as an administrative assistant for over 15 years. I believe I can do just about anything that is put before me but because of self-esteem issues, I can’t seem to sell myself to the interviewer. I have set small goals such as getting my hair done so I’ll look as young as possible and buying something nice to interview in. I had my resume done by a professional and I have several excellent references. Then that is when I get stuck and can’t move forward. I’m afraid to post my resume on job sites; I can’t even motivate myself to sign up with Temporary Agencies.
Whenever I see a job on-line that seems perfect for me I tear it apart and point out all the things that are wrong with it. I really need to get a job. Is there any help for me?”
Based upon what you wrote, it sounds to me like you’ve accomplished a great deal despite what looks to be some serious issues. For that you should be proud. Obviously, you held a job until you were 59, so it’s not like you can’t hold a job or produce value for a company.
Here’s what I think is happening and how to get your career rolling again.
You were employed for 15 years. You didn’t say if that was one company or more than one. But my sense is you’ve been out of the job hunting game for some time and may be a little fearful about getting back in.
Couples who have been married many years have the same problem if they divorce and have to start dating again. It feels awkward. It seems too difficult. One or both of them feels old. But when each of them gets back out there, they make a mistake or two and find it wasn’t as bad as they originally thought. Being married for 15 years is practice. And having a job for 15 years is practice too.
Being nervous about interviewing and posting your resume which leads to interviewing is normal. But finding the right job is a numbers game. You played the game before and succeeded. There’s no reason you can’t do it again. Oh, and no “I’m too old” excuses or I’ll launch into Colonel Sanders life story…
One way to tackle your issue is to set a goal, not for a new job, that’s obvious. But instead, why not set a goal to do 6 job hunting tasks per weekday? For instance, you could send out 6 resumes a day. Or set a goal to make 6 calls to other professionals in your industry per day. Go for the number, not for the outcome. You can choose to look at it as a task like washing the dishes. “Ok, I sent out 3 resumes so far today, 3 more and I’m done.”
In setting goals it’s all too easy to look at the finish line and see the obstacles in front of it. It is so much better to figure out the 5-6 daily tasks you can take starting today that eventually add up to success.
Once you get back out there, give yourself permission to make some mistakes. We all do! It’s not the end of the world. Just keep at your daily tasks until all your experience leads to your next job.
Do you have a goal setting question or challenge that Brad can answer? Shoot him an email describing it in detail and he might post his reply here on Achieve-IT! All inquiries will be held in strict confidence. (remove .nospam from his address before sending)
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Brad’s advice is spot on! I would like to expand on one point. This is something I think happens to job seekers of all ages. What Brad says about focusing on the goal at hand is so true, and you should pursue your job hunt that way.
For example, right now, your goal is merely to get a bite as a result of the job hunting tasks that Brad talked about.
Once you get that nibble, your goal is to get an interview.
When you get the interview, your ONLY goal should be to get an offer.
Once you get the offer, then your goal should be to negotiate it properly and have them accept.
Too often people go about the hunt like Brad said, keeping the end outcome at the forefront of their minds. This causes us to mentally trick ourselves out of opportunity.
I’ve known people who will not even send in a resume because they somehow magically glean from an ad that “this company isn’t going to pay well”, or that “there’s probably a good old boy network there, and it will be a bad place to work”.
This prequalifying kills you. Your goal is not to get a job with these people, or to work yourself to retirement with them. Your only goal is to get an interview. Once you have that, you’re in control. Then you go for the offer if you want it. Step by step.
Good luck on your search. Report back and let us know how it works out for you!
Thank you very much for all the information, encouragement and counsel. Your suggestions have given me a new point of view toward accomplishing my goal of finding a job. I will update you as I soon as I have something to report.
dy
Excellent advice. I just wanted to plug the idea of sending out resumes – I found that, rather than looking for the ‘right’ jobs to send to, just sending them to any company that caught my eye, even if I thought I wasn’t qualified, helped me immensely. (I applied to be a church secretary for a religion I’m not a part of, lab tech when I didn’t finish my science degree, housekeeping when the closest I get to pro cleaning was running a janitorial office, etc.) When I started applying for all sorts of crazy jobs, expecting them to ignore me, I got over the perfection issue, because it didn’t matter.
Interestingly enough, this approach got me my current job; I have business and French degrees, plan to go to library school, and specialize as a copy editor, but sent my stuff in to an IT startup (5 people in the company) to break out of the afraid-to-send rut, just because I like to mess with computers, and ended up loving it! Who knows if I’ll make it my career (I’m only 24), but I got a great opportunity just by throwing resumes at the wall and seeing if anything stuck, as it were.
So, good luck, and I hope this helps someone, and Brad, keep up the good work.
B. I like the way you think. Your “prequalifying” statement is great. Let’s not prequalify ourselves out of opportunities.
Donna, I hope you will keep us updated. Good luck on your search
Philosophizer, great to hear your resume sending paid off! If you love it, there is probably something in the work that will make you prosperous…keep your eyes peeled. P.S. My daughter liked the bunnies on your site
Brad, I’m glad she did – I’ll make sure to put more of the pix from my bunny visit up!
Thanks.