If you haven’t completed any assessments as you prepare to launch a job search, you should.  This is true even if you have done assessments many times before.  One key reason I think this is an important time to do this is there is no pressure, no employer involvement, so you can really be yourself.

Assessment can be as informal as going to the top of the mountain for some quiet time to focus your thoughts and goals.  Or, it can mean completing a battery of formal assessment tools which are interpreted by a professional counselor.

Community colleges are great resources for the formal tools.  For free, or very low cost, you can complete several well-chosen instruments and have them evaluated and interpreted for you.  And, you don’t have to be a current student or alum.

I tell clients not to expect a great epiphany from assessments.  That only happens once in a hundred cases.  But it is reasonable to expect several good things to emerge: 1) confirmation about what makes you tick and how you operate, 2) concise, accurate words to describe yourself to others, and 3) some clarification as to the job content and work environment that will maximize your chances of success.

For most of my clients I use a simple tool that evaluates passions, interests and abilities.  The passion portion asks them to think about the various constituents in their lives–self, family, friends, employer, community, state, nation and the world–and consider what they want to achieve vis-à-vis each.  Then they prioritize and, finally, consider what the findings imply about the job they should be seeking.

The interests and abilities section first identifies the abilities they have used to achieve important goals in the past–things they are good at.  And, it looks separately at their interest in using each ability in a long list.  Where we see matches between high interest in using an ability that has also been instrumental in achieving goals, we have a list of job components we want to find in our next job–a job that will make our tails wag when we go to work.  We also develop a list of low-interest abilities that we want to avoid using in our new job, or at least minimize.

All of this information helps crystallize their vision and focuses their efforts in the job search.  It also helps them explain their vision to others,  which invariably optimizes the help offered.  All in all these are good outcomes for a few hours of effort.

The biggest obstacle you face in networking may be you.  And you may trip over yourself before you ever get started actually meeting with people.

Early in my work with a client I ask them to make a list of everybody they know–in other words, list their network.  Ever heard Charlie Brown’s mother on the phone, “Wah wah wah wah wah.   Wah wah wah.”  I think that’s what my clients hear because when they come back to me, their list is 5 to 10 people.  They’ve heard my words, “…everybody you know,” but it gets filtered in their brain to, “…everybody you know who you think has a job or job lead for you.”

The problem in most cases is people start by looking at the list of people they know and thinking of reasons why a person in their network would not be helpful.  For example: he doesn’t work in my field, she is retired, his level is too high [or low], she doesn’t work in that part of the country.  The reasons go on and on.  Before you know it only about 5 to 10 people qualify for the list.

However, the way I look at these short lists is they comprise the people to be contacted first, but not to the exclusion of the others.  Clients have merely skipped to the next step in the process, sorting the list and putting the most likely helpers at the top.

As to the other people on your list, first you have to fight your impulse write them off before you give them a chance.  When this negativity hits you, think about your own life experiences where you were surprised to find friends had unexpected information or connections that were helpful on other issues.  The same will be true in your job search.

It takes only a brief discussion to find out the fact of the matter.  A few minutes which is very likely to produce helpful information and connections, and might just open the mother lode.

Statistics tell us that most of the time the connection that lands the job is not from your top picks in your network.  In fact, it very likely comes from a person you would have eliminated from your list on first impulse.

The way you are groomed makes that first impression–even before you shake hands–and can knock you out of contention before you say a word.  It’s that important.

First, let’s be clear about what comprises personal grooming:

1. Cleanliness
2. Clothes
3. Hair
4. Nails
5. Make Up
6. Perfume / Cologne
7. Jewelry

Today it’s not so easy to be brief in giving advice on this subject.  Personal grooming standards are highly variable in our society generally, and vary substantially by industry, by company–and even by department within a company.

It used to be safe to advise a man to wear a suit and tie.  But, today there are great variations in how people dress in the workplace.  In some cases, wearing a coat and tie makes you a misfit and leads to an early rejection letter.

Still, there are a few principles that hold true.  Here they are:

• Go in dressed like your boss’s boss.  You may need to get some inside advice to know what this means in the context of the company interviewing you.
• Your clothes, whatever the style, should fit right.   Your pants or skirt needs to fit comfortably around your waist, not under your stomach.  And, get the waist taken in when you’ve lost weight and the garment is gathering in the back.  Make sure your suit coat buttons comfortably–no stressed button look.
• No matter what the situation you need to look and smell fresh-scrubbed
• Go with no perfume / cologne–or VERY light at most.  This is important and you are not a good judge of your effect on people.  Get some input from others on your olfactory aura.
• Try to select an outfit that can be dressed down during the interview.  So, if it turns out you are a little overdressed, you can find and opportunity to slip off an item or two and fit in much better.
• Women, keep your makeup to a minimum.  Have your nails professionally manicured.  Men can get away with doing their own nails, but don’t forget this important feature of your appearance.
• Jewelry is a nice accent to your appearance, but can be overdone too.  Keep it simple but tasteful.  Avoid big clangy bracelets and long dangly earrings.
• Hair…hmmm.  Conservative styles are better.  Men, I know some of you work hard and pay good money to look like you just got out of bed after a hard night of drinking.  Others deny they are balding with comb-overs.  These are not good looks for job hunters.
  Gray hair is generally OK for men…not so much for women.

If you are going to color your hair (men and women), go to a professional.  I once had a white-haired man for a client.  He had dyed his own hair black (he thought).  It looked black in some light, but it turned out the color showed up as purple under fluorescent light.  He had been out in public many times before we started working together and no one had the courage to tell him until I did.  It took several weeks to fix it and delayed his job search.

Another client I had was significantly overweight and the waistline on his pants was far too tight.  It became a sling under his belly.  I sent him on a shopping mission.  He bought a suit that fit and, WOW!, what a difference.  He suddenly looked the executive he was–and he instantly felt so much more confident.

Spend some time on this issue, and some money if you need to.  It will pay dividends and you will feel at your most confident.

It is my contention you should NOT hide your age unless there is a compelling reason to do so–and age, in and of itself, is NOT a compelling reason.  But, if you truly believe it’s necessary, it’s pretty simple to disguise your age on your resume.  Here’s what to do:

1. Leave off the first chunk of your early job history,
2. Leave out school graduation dates,
3. Leave out dates on other items like seminars attended, activities, offices held in non-profit groups, awards, etc.

However, leave in dates of all jobs that you do show on your resume.

Recognize when you do this any reader will  be suspicious that you are hiding your age.  Recruiters know when education dates are missing, this is usually the case.  And, it may be pretty obvious when your oldest job title listed is higher than entry level.

One final note.  If you decide to create an abbreviated resume, I suggest you also develop an unabridged version–including all jobs and dates.  When interviews come you will undoubtedly find it helpful to be able to provide the complete version instead of going through the tedium of adding the missing information on the spot each time.

Almost every client I work with asks this question about the right way to follow up with recruiters.  They don’t want to be a pest, but they know they shouldn’t just wait by the phone for a call.

So, once a recruiter has your resume, how should you follow up?

Initial follow-up should happen immediately after you send your resume, or post it to the recruiter’s website.  Before you sent or posted the resume, you should have done your best to ID the recruiter within the firm who specializes in your area.  Now, call that person.  If you can’t figure it out on your own, call the main number and ask to be transferred to the right person.

When you reach the person, DON’T say, “I’ve sent / posted my resume.  Have you seen it?”  Recruiters bristle at that approach because it puts them on the spot.  And, immediately,  DO reference any mutual friends, clients, etc. you have in common.

Make the main thrust of the call about whether you have connected with the right recruiter and how she works with candidates.  To figure out if you are talking to the right person, you have to give your background, but keep it to a maximum of 30 seconds at this point.  Once you establish you are talking to the right person you will find out if there are any active searches going on that are a match for you.  If “yes”, you are likely to suddenly be in a full-fledged screening interview, so be ready.

If “no”, you want to start talking about how to work together over the coming weeks.  You can start the conversation with something like, “I haven’t worked with you [your firm] before.  How do you work with candidates?”  You’re trying to find out more about their processes–do they use a database, how often do they purge resumes, can you only be involved in one search at a time through their firm, do they share resumes across all company offices, how / how often would they like to hear from you, etc.?

As to the last point, some will say, “I’ll call you if we have something.”  But, most will say, “Drop me an email, or call, every [X]  weeks so we can give each other a status update.”  Once you have gotten the answer, the anguish about when to follow up is gone.

But, let’s say you have posted your resume and tried your best, but failed, to talk with a recruiter.  Here is what I suggest:

1. Put this recruiting firm’s name on a list that you will show to people in your future networking meetings and ask if anyone has a connection and will make an introduction,
2. Better yet, send an email to everybody in your network you have been in contact with during the search and ask the question [1. above], and
3. Renew you posting on the recruiter’s website at least once each 90 days.

The bottom-line goal is to establish a relationship, then let your new recruiter friend define what is the right amount of follow-up.

I was traveling by plane over the weekend and playing music on my iPhone.  I chose an album by Gloria Estephan and, when I heard “Get on Your Feet”, it struck me what a great song this is–about job search.  Well, OK, about pulling yourself through a lot of tough situations, but definitely about job search too.

The beat and the instrumentals make you come alive and the lyrics, the lyrics can make you bust through any road block.  Turn this song on first thing in the morning and you’re gonna get things done that day!

Want to hear it?  follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj8hmf9cctk

GET ON YOUR FEET — Vocals: Gloria Estephan –  Songwriters: Casas, Jorge; Ostwald, Clay; Defaria, John Hill

You say I know it’s a waste of time
There’s no use trying
So scared that life’s gonna pass you by
Your spirit dying
Not long ago
I could feel your strength and your devotion
What was so clear is now overcast
With mixed emotions
Deep in your heart is the answer
Find it, I know it will pull you through

Get on your feet
Get up and make it happen
Get on your feet
Stand up and take some action
Get on your feet
Don’t stop before it’s over
Get on your feet
The weight is off your shoulder

I think it’s true that we’ve all been through
Some nasty weather
Let’s understand that we’re here
To handle things together
You gotta keep looking onto tomorrow
There’s so much in life
That’s meant for you

Get on your feet
Get up and make it happen
Get on your feet
Stand up and take some action
Get on your feet
Don’t stop before it’s over
Get on your feet
The weight is off your shoulder

I encourage you to make music a part of your job search–uplifting music.   There is no question it effects your spirit and your activity level.

What inspires you may be different that what inspires the next person.  Have some fun putting together a personal job search album of music that’s right for you.  Play it often, sing along, move your body, put the spirit it creates in you to work in your search.

Common wisdom says those of us over 50 need not apply.  Well, perhaps it’s not quite so absolute, but you know what I mean.

Know this first: common wisdom often has a way of outliving itself, and that’s the case here.  The over 50 thing still is a factor, but not near so big a factor as it was just 10 years ago.  Many businesses are now smarting from having released too many of us gray-hairs in recent years.  They now need experienced people age 50 and up who can help the younger set climb up the learning curve.

Here is something to contemplate: if you are over 50, the biggest barrier to your reemployment is likely you–not your age, your attitude and your self-image.  If you are in your 50′s, 60′s or even 70′s and believe in yourself and your value, it will show through to others and, believe me, they will take notice. 

Of course, the opposite is true too.  If you think people are going to discriminate against you, you will interpret every setback to be a result of it and you will be dragged down by it.  If you think you have nothing to offer and you’re an over-the-hill has-been, the message will come through in the way you talk, walk and behave.  Sure enough your thoughts will become reality.

The words you use, the way you say them, the way you walk, the way you hold your shoulders, the firmness of your handshake, the way you smile, the eye contact you have all make an impact.  And, this is important whether you are in an interview or just talking to a neighbor over the back fence.  Get some feedback and coaching on this if you sense yourself to be on an age-based downer.

The final word: Network.  Do yourself a favor and focus on networking as your primary channel for re-employment.  It is the most productive way to get re-employed no matter what your situation–and especially for us gray-hairs.  You can learn more about effective networking by reading other posts on this blog.

In business people generally return your calls within 24 hours and answer emails the same day or the next.  Well, reset your expectations in job search.

Employers and recruiters consistently miss their own self-imposed deadlines.  When you ask them what the next step in the process is and when it will happen, double the length of time they predict and you won’t be disappointed…at least not as often.  I know from personal experience in recruiting my intentions were always the best, but there were so many variables beyond my control I almost always underestimated timing of the next milestone.

And networking is no different.  Some people return your calls in a timely way, but many will take days, or weeks.  It’s maddening, and sometimes frightening, especially as you’re just getting out of the gate with your search.  Soon, you begin to feel like people don’t care.  Your self-confidence slips as you interpret this behavior as a harbinger of hard times and a long, long search.

You won’t like hearing this, but your job search is seldom the highest priority in someone else’s day.  But, that doesn’t mean they don’t care or won’t call you back.  And it doesn’t mean you are doing something wrong.  Put yourself in their shoes and your expectations will become more realistic.  Remember how your workdays go; meetings, projects, interruptions, the boss.  Did you ever let personal matters slip from one day to the next?  Of course you did.

So, reset your expectations for response timing, but not for the quality of outcomes.  If you approach them correctly and work hard at the process, your network will come through for you.

Count yourself among the normal if you find yourself oscillating between elation and depression several times during your job search–maybe even in a single day.  While this is normal, it’s emotionally draining, and occasionally debilitating  when you get stuck in the down cycle for an extended time.

Expect Emotional Highs & Lows

When a downer keeps you down it’s hard to make anything happen.  It may be hard to sleep, or hard to get out of bed.  The things you know you should be doing seem pointless or far too difficult.  It’s an awful place to be. 

Most of us move out of the doldrums in a short time, perhaps when something good happens, or with the encouragement of a friend*.   But, rather than waiting around for something to happen, here is my advice.  When one of those down days comes, think tiny.  Chose a single, tiny, almost insignificant goal for the day–it doesn’t even have to be about job search–and complete it as early in the day as you can. 

What I have seen time and time again with my clients is this one tiny accomplishment changes a small amount of potential energy inside them into kinetic energy [i.e. action].  Beginning with this infinitesimally small bit of forward momentum, they are drawn into doing one more thing and one more thing.  Soon they notice they’re gathering speed like a ball rolling down hill.

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* If you get too far down, or down for too long, you should consider getting professional help.  It can be a hard decision to make, but it may be the only way to rise out of this emotional trough.