Top 5 Career Tips

As a Senior Employment Counselor at Hired, Beth assists our participants with their job search, from resume building to interviews and everything in between. Read more below for 5 career tips that Beth has compiled throughout her career.

Beth Glassman, Senior Employment Counselor

I’ve been working with Hired as a senior employment counselor, working with our adult team, especially individuals who have been laid off through no fault of their own, for over 15 years.  Many of the people that we work with in this program are mid and late-career professionals, who have found themselves in the job market again, often quite unexpectedly.

 This month, on the Hired Blog, I’ve been invited to share some of my tips and pieces of advice for people who might find themselves in this situation. Most of these tips are for people who have typically been in the workforce for 20 years or more, and are facing the opportunity, or sometimes the need, to update their skills, to reexamine their career goals and interests, and to seek a new job – maybe in a new field.  While these tips are really geared towards people who have some good work experience behind them, I hope that even people who are new to the workforce can find some useful tips here too!

1. You are not too old to find a job! 

Just recently I was working with a person who was about to turn 60, she mentioned it several times, and I let it go the first three times, when she brought it up again… I merely said, do you think that no one will hire you at age 60?  She paused and said then said “yes!”.  A long discussion followed about what she could bring the table, and I haven’t heard her mention age again. Just know that you are more than a sum of your accomplishments, or the years you have (or haven’t) been working. 

Today’s employers want to hire people who have the skills that they are looking for, and who fit within their organization’s culture and strategic vision and plans.  If you approach your job search with excitement and seek to find ways to connect with the position, the culture of the company, and the hiring team, you may be surprised to find how far that goes in your interview and job search. In fact, according to this article, Adzuna, a job search engine, found that the No. 1 soft skill employers were looking for in positions paying over $200,000 was someone who is “energetic.” The other three were management, communication, and customer service skills. With many systems becoming automated, the value you add with your soft/people skills is going to be more and more important.

2. Do what brings you joy, the rest will fall into place!

The right job lead may come to you in the least-expected place, but for that to happen, you need to get out and make yourself available to meet people and let them know that you’re open for new opportunities. 

I often suggest to people that they volunteer for something they’re passionate about, or take up some hobbies or activities that will connect them with others – take a class for fun, or walk, run, or bike. Spend time in a place where interacting with others can be more natural, like a club or a community organization. These are all good places to network or run into folks who can help. Let people know what you are looking for and what you’re able to offer.

3. Never stop networking!

Network, network, network! This is key to finding a job at any age. The more people you know and connect with, the more opportunities will come your way. If you don’t already have one, a LinkedIn account is a great way to broaden your network. When you’re expanding your network, remember to ask a lot of questions and direct the conversation towards their work or company. Showing genuine interest towards whoever you’re speaking with goes a long way and helps build solid relationships.

Focus on being an active listener and have some conversation starters ready. If you’re able to, research the individual ahead of time to see if there is anything you connect on or have in common. Another important part of networking is finding people who already work in the position or the industry that you’re interested in. This is a good opportunity to learn more about the job you want from someone who has insider experience. Always make sure to be polite and thank valuable connections that you make as you continue to network, whether it’s a short email, note, or even a small gift.

4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!

This is a lesson that should be taught in Kindergarten.  So many of us are afraid we’ll look foolish if we ask for help…if you don’t know how do something, ask! It’s often said that if you’re the smartest person in the room, then you’re in the wrong room.

Surrounding yourself with people who are more knowledgeable than you is a great way to continue to learn and grow your skillset, and gives you an opportunity to ask for assistance, whether you’re trying to learn a new skill or simply need someone to look over your resume. Speak with those closest to you, such as family members or friends; you might be surprised how much they can help with any questions you have. This short article from The Balance does a great job of breaking down how to connect with family and friends when searching for jobs.

5. Know your worth!

Never underestimate your value and remember your accomplishments! Always keep in mind the skills that you already have as well as the areas you can grow in, and actively look for ways to strengthen those areas. A great resource that we use with our participants at Hired is Coursera. With a large library spanning everything from Project Management to SEO courses, it’s a good opportunity to brush up on old skills as well as learn new ones.

We can all bring something unique to the workplace, so give some thought as to what that looks like for you. Although you (hopefully) already have all of your skills and achievements showcased in your resume or cover letter, take some time to make a list and write them down, even if they feel small. You might surprise yourself. A useful tool that can help you determine where your current skills are at and even discover new skills that you didn’t even know you had is this Skills Test from CareerOneStop. Taking skills assessments and reevaluating yourself can help give you the confidence to pursue positions that you may not have thought you could before!

Whether you’re beginning your career search for the first time or looking for a new career, keep these tips in mind. Looking for additional support or have questions? Contact us at information@hired.org.