Bonnie Jean Adams
Chicago Culture & Events Examiner
August 14, 2011
Chicago Entrepreneur Ron Goldstein Invites You to "Ride the Silver Wave"
Chicagoan Ron Goldstein, Principal of Silver Professionals, LLC started his company after spending 10 years in the technical recruitment business and seeing so many of his friends and colleagues laid-off from their jobs.
Ron will be hosting an event on Tuesday at which senior professionals will have the opportunity to connect and to collaborate: Silver Professionals Shine Bright On Tuesday: Come Ride the "Silver Wave" Part I - Chicago Culture & Events | Examiner.com
Ron, seniors are healthier and more vibrant and energetic than ever before, why does this discrimination continue?
"Discrimination will always continue with respect to ageism. There are many things, mature professionals can do to update their professional look and resume so they have an edge in the interviewing atmosphere
Continue reading on Examiner.com Chicago Entrepreneur Ron Goldstein Invites You to "Ride the Silver Wave" Part II - Chicago Culture & Events | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/culture-events-in-chicago/chicago-entrepreneur-ron-goldstein-invites-you-to-ride-the-silver-wave-part-ii#ixzz1V2STG4lO
A recent study by employee assistance program provider ComPsych found that older workers — in their 50s or 60s — are likelier to have healthy diets, exercise regularly and have lower stress levels than workers in their 30s. """ The
The challenges that exist for mature workers are nationwide and not geographic specific. One should not look at a certain size of company. The opportunity is what's most important.
The mature worker is able to adapt better to lifes changes. They Understand Recessions.
Older workers have seen hard times before — the bursting of the 1990s tech bubble, recession in the early 1980s, the oil crisis of the mid-1970s — and they understand that businesses have to adjust. Knowing, too, that expansions always follow, older workers can bring a steady perspective to a jumpy workplace."
What advice do you have for someone who has lost a job?
"Balance your time off between networking, volunteering and getting your total package together (appearance, resume,strategy).
Make sure your social media profiles are complete and accurate.There are lots of subgroups within linked in. Join them and network with other professionals in your discipline.
All those years of networking groups and Chamber of Commerce meetings haven’t been for nothing.
You’ve got deep reserves of friends, colleagues, and contacts in the community. That’s an asset to an employer who’s trying to get out of a sales rut. It’s also helpful to a hiring manager who wants to check out your reputation."
What about someone who is thinking of a career change? Suggestions?
"Leverage your skills across as many functions as possible within your organization"
What advice would you give to a senior wanting to get back into the marketplace?
"Network, network, network..Volunteer for organizations in which you have a passion. Within that organization, perhaps there is a role you can do which in turn will introduce you to other professionals in your discipline of choice
With respect to deflecting job interview and application age questions, there are a few suggestions:
* Don't answer a question if you believe the reason it's asked is to reveal your age. That's easier said than done. Here are five ways to get around the questions without directly confronting the offending recruiter or human resources representative.
*Restate the question. If an HR person asks for your high-school or college graduation dates, say, ‘I went to the University of X, and it was a very successful time for me, I was a member of student government and worked at the campus radio station.' You don't have to answer that question with dates, and that shouldn't keep you from being hired.
*For online applications, give vague dates. While some online applications cannot be submitted unless all fields are completed, you might be able to get away with a range of dates, or just list a decade, such as '1980s.'
If the application still cannot be submitted, it's worth contacting someone in the company's HR department to let them know you are having trouble submitting an electronic application and explain the issue. It's possible they don't know they shouldn't be asking that question.
*Express concern with identity theft if photo ID or Social Security numbersare requested. These are not items that need to be provided until you are hired. But if you'd rather not directly confront them with that fact, saying you'd rather not hand over thatinformation is perfectly acceptable.
*Provide work history going back 20 years at most. Any more, and it can dateyou.The most relevant work history will be your most recent,and there is no reason to go back any further. Be aware of questions that could lead you to reveal your age. Asking innovative, legally defensible questions is one way human resources people canget age-related information.
These questions could be as innocent as, "Are you over the age of 18?" and, "What are your long-term career goals?" Stay on your guard and be aware of what the interviewer is really asking. An interviewer might leave a bit of silence after you answer; it doesn't mean you need to fill that silence with more detail. Don't volunteer anything."
Any advice about resumes for silver professionals?
"Resumes should be functional not chronological. Only show the last 20 years of experience.2 pages max.
Employers don't want to look at more."
What about the job interview?
"A mature worker who is getting back to the workplace needs to concentrate on the following 4 things to make their experience successful:
1) Research the company extensively.(websites, their sustainable competitive advantage,what the position requires)
2) Practice-Out loud, in a mirror. Formulate intelligent situational answers to behavioral questions.
3)Be conscious of interview Etiquette(1st impressions matter-usually in the 1st 2 minutes).
Show up before interview time. Dress for success. Be aware of your body language. Non-verbal communication is sometimes more important than verbal.Keep the interview positive. Be prepared to ask the interviewer questions to show you're interested in the position.
Ask for the job on the spot if youre interested. If there will be more than 1 interview, never discuss salary on the 1st.
4)Follow up with a thank you note that day."
What particular challenges do silver professionals have in the workplace?
"Keeping yourself up to date with technology and how it impacts the company."
"Older workers are the face to the customer. They are the ones to shake hands and not hide behind technology. Millennial workers may want weekly, or even daily, evaluations from their employers. Earlier in a mature professionals career, they probably wanted lots of feedback, too. Today, they've got a pretty good handle on your value, and are more confident in their abilities."
What is your goal for Silver Professionals, LLC?
"My goal for SP is to continue as a national company helping professionals find employment on a permanent PT or FT basis. Our deepest satisfaction comes from finding other companies to embrace our scientists, health care, manufacturing, energy/green, legal, tax , financial, HR, IT professionals and veterans and help put them to work.
Silver Professionals began as a passion for helping people find jobs. I wanted to come up with my version of Employment 2.0 and how I envisioned the workforce changing over the next few years..
As less jobs were being created, more employers still needed work done. The idea of permanent part time employment is exactly that. The employer doesn't necessarily have to pay benefits and we can put back to work some of our nations greatest minds.
Silver Professionals is tailored to the Eisenhower & Baby-Boomer generations whose work ethics, experience and valuable skills need to be noticed. We have a reliable and repeatable job process leveraging best practices for both employees and employers."
What is your goal for the the Silver Professionals event on Tuesday?
"My goal for the mixer is to have Silver Professionals from across Chicago leverage their relationships and network with each other; to meet professionals across all types of jobs and disciplines.
According to AARP Board Chairman Charles Leven: “Employing older workers can unlock the purchasing and creative power of millions of trainable employees and eager consumers, As people age, they continue to create demand for goods and services.
This, in turn, creates jobs for people to produce those products and services. In the United States, people aged 50-plus control 75 percent of the nation’s disposable income and own 77 percent of all personal financial assets.”
Mature workers had an annual staff turnover of just 2% compared to 70% for younger people. That reduced recruitment and training costs by 40%. The idea of permanent part time employment is the key to having more of these jobs available for mature professionals.
Older workers most crave flexibility, according to a RetirementJobs.com survey. Many want to spend more of their time doing things they enjoy — traveling, perhaps, or playing with their grandchildren — and they’re often willing to accept a part-time schedule or reduced hours. As employers increasingly cut back on hours, a willingness to be flexible can make a job seeker more attractive to a greater variety of companies."
For more information: http://silverprofessionals.com
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