Dr. Bamster's Blog

Ok, as the over 50 job seekers, most of us know how hard it is to convince a hiring manager to select us!  But we have persisted and from all your emails and my own clients you have been successful at landing a new job!

But now we have some serious challenges because the pool of unemployed workers is growing.  How will this challenge us?  Will we be forced out of the competition? 

Let me hear from you - what is happening in your local area?  Now is the time to get creative because we will be up against workers in their 30's and 40's - we need to be prepared for the "no".

Let's talk bloggers - share your comments.  More on this topic for sure.

Have a great day!

Some of you are making great connections through online networking sites such as SpeedNetworking.com and LinkedIn - there are others as well.  Please share your experiences with these online networking sites, and tell us which ones you use! 

Hope you have a great day! 

Some of you have recently lost your jobs due to the tough financial times hitting us at all levels.  What do you do when you are over 50 and feeling like getting a job will be impossible??

First, I suggest that you take some time to calm down and get a plan in place.  Some helpful questions that you might want to ask yourself are:

1.  Are your skills current?  Can they be applied to another type of industry, company or specific job?

2.  Is it time to get some re-training? Do you have adequate computer skills?

3.  What are the more successful companies in your area?  What job opportunities do they have?  Do your skills match their job openings?

Finally, make sure to start your list of people who can help you - your family members, friends, colleagues, former bosses, neighbors, and church members.  This will help you focus on things you can do and people you can contact. 

Stay positive - this will be a long haul.

More tomorrow.

Have a great day!

With the election of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States we have not only witnessed history in the making but we are inspired and hopeful for change. 

For boomers, we hope that change will bring more employment opportunities to the 50+ workers and restore our 401Ks losses within a reasonable timeframe.  The excitement is contagious-even in my neighborhood people are talking with enthusiasm and deep patriotism.  What a gift we have received!

Do your part to contribute to the positivism in your own community.  Let me hear from you and hope today is a good one because it should be!

Given that I have been writing this journal blog for several years, this year I am not surprised that many of us over 50 need to work!  You are not surprised either - our troubled economy has created more layoffs and decreased our "retirement nest egg".

Recently, I read that the AARP is leading the cause to encourage employers to hire boomers.  The case is simple - most of us are great workers, most of us are dedicated to doing good work and, most importantly, we need to work to recoup our losses.   Are you currently looking for work?

I am most interested in hearing what you are experiencing out there - I have heard from many of you on the east and west coast, but what about you folks in the middle of the country and our Canadian bloggers?   Are you finding a more openness by employers to consider you for job openings?

Be well and send me your comments.  In the meantime, get ready to vote tomorrow and enjoy today!