Job Search Commitment

Many people in our demographic who decide that they want to continue working after retirement lay a lot of eggs because they lack focus. Let’s face it, when you haven’t had to look for a job, you don’t know how to do it. The task is how to find a job that you will find rewarding, fulfilling and worth the effort when that job is not what you have been doing to earn a living up to this point.

There is an old joke about the role of the chicken and the role of the pig when it comes to bacon and eggs. The chicken gives, but the pig is committed. Many people in our demographic who decide that they want to continue working after retirement lay a lot of eggs because they lack focus. Let’s face it, when you haven’t had to look for a job, you don’t know how to do it. The task is how to find a job that you will find rewarding, fulfilling and worth the effort when that job is not what you have been doing to earn a living up to this point.

Create a Job Search Plan

What I mean about laying a lot of eggs is that most people may be busy yet do not conduct a serious and professional job search. They shortcut the assessment phase, update their old resume and then start contacting old colleagues and family to see what happens. In today’s tough job market or any job market this is a very discouraging process. Here are some guidelines that will help make your search productive.

1. Commit yourself to a professional search and create a plan so your search will be disciplined.
   • A part-time job search requires 15 hours per week, full time means 35-40 hours.
   • Schedule your time and build your plan
2. Get in shape. This is the best time in your life to get in shape, there’s nothing to get in the way.
   • Physically – set up a daily workout, walking is a great way to start.
   • Spiritually – if you have faith, put it to work.
   • Emotional – Don’t start until you are emotionally ready to commit.
   • Intellectual – Focus on the solution, not the problem.
   • Social – Network, Network, Network…
3. Assessment is the key to targeting the job position that you will find rewarding and worth spending your valuable time.

Career Assessment is the Place to Start

Assessment is a process that takes a bit of brainstorming on your part. This is the process of discovering a position that will give meaning and purpose to your life. You may find one of the following assessment tools helpful to ensure your career plans will land you in an area of work suited to your likes and needs. Although they are designed for use somewhat earlier in your career, it's never too late to know what suits you best. The Seven Stories Exercise found in “Targeting a Great Career” by Kate Wendelton. Buy it used on Amazon: Click here for this book on Amazon.Com This is an exercise in reviewing your accomplishments throughout your life. It is personal, proactive, affirming, and creates a list that you can use in resume preparation. Most people forget that they have achieved quite a bit and people tend to take their accomplishments for granted. In reviewing the “motivated skills” that repeat in your life’s accomplishments, clues start to form as to the kind of work you should target. One good on-line tool is “The Careers Interest Game” which is a simplified version of “The Party Exercise” from the book “What Color is Your Parachute” by Richard Bolles. Find out your three letter “Holland Code” a free test can be found at "Holland code". The Holland or RAISEC assessments provide information on the relationship between job personalities and key characteristics, college majors, hobbies, abilities, and related careers, from the book “Making Vocational Choices” by John Holland. "Career Games", is a site that has a broad set of tools to help you in your career transition process. Go to the Self Assessment section, which will assist you to define 3 parameters for your job search: the skills you love, the working conditions that make you happy, and the traits you like to see in your colleagues.

Positive Attitude is Essential to Finding Work

Attitude will make all the difference in the world. Decide that you are going to enjoy this journey and commit yourself to a strong effort. Older folks are often heard to say that they are busier than ever and don’t know where the time goes. So you must be willing to look at your attitude, if you really mean it when you say that you still want to work, show it by the effort you put in. Most people update their traditional resume and start posting it to job sites and begin talking with friends and old colleagues. The results are often less than satisfying. Do yourself and your friends a favor and take the time to determine what you want to do with the rest of your life. The saying goes that today is the first day of your life, so commit yourself to a professional job search. Be like the pig in bacon and eggs, don’t do as the chicken does and lay a few eggs – and spend your time on un-focused busyness.

Categories: Getting Started, Changing Jobs or Careers, Career Management & Transition, Retirement