I’m in My 60’s. My Network Is Aging Out. What Do I Do? | JobSearchTV.com

By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
As I speak to groups around the country, older professionals are telling me about a problem they have–many of the people they’re networking with are aging out of the workforce and they don’t have an active network any more. What do I do?

Why Should Branding Make a Difference to You?

One of the things I’m starting to hear from people is they’re finding that when they’re networking, their network is starting to age out. They’re men and women in their 60s, they know the importance of networking. But the people that they know, are their age, and they’re starting to retire, or they’re in situations like theirs, where they’re looking for work. What do you do?

Now, ideally, yo,u realize this, when you’re in your 50s, that this can happen. I know, when I was working in search, one day, I looked around at the owner and the senior manager of the firm, and realized that these people were older than I, and not in great health and I might want to protect my data by having my own systems in place and not just using theirs because one day, they might die. I’d be without all my information that worked for me, and I ultimately transitioned to coaching. For you. It’s too late.  You’re already in your 60s. What do you do?

There are two really basic things to do. Number one is to get involved with groups that are either targeted towards your demographic. That is that they’re in their 60s, or number two, a general group. They’re job hunters. They’re going to be people in their 30s and 40s. You might get involved with a local Chamber of Commerce, where you’re talking to the liaison to business owners in the area. And in some fields, this is a way that you can connect with folks.

Number three, and this is really the biggest one, start networking younger. Now, you may think of yourself as kind of like being the person in the schoolyard hitting up on the kids. But I’m going to tell you, these are people who are in positions of authority. Even when you go to networking groups, stop hanging out with people your own age. Start working with those younger than you and start building up that muscle of relationship with younger professionals. Offer advice, if asked for it. Offer help with whatever they need. Start to develop a personal relationship with people and ask “Is there anything I can be doing to help you,” instead of always asking, “Did you hear about any jobs? I need a job. Know about any jobs?”

Networking is about developing relationships with people who know, like, trust and respect you. If you’re the person who’s always asking for help, because you need a job and you’re feeling desperate, it’s unattractive. But start developing relationships with those younger where you’re offering guidance and support to them. And maybe they’ll get started. And then you can start planting the seeds for recommendations for other people that they know who might be interested in hiring you.

ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER

Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter

Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter is a coach who worked as a recruiter for what seems like one hundred years. His work involves career coaching, as well as executive job search coaching, job coaching, and interview coaching. He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 2300 episodes.

Are you interested in 1:1 coaching, interview coaching, advice about networking more effectively, how to negotiate your offer or leadership coaching? Schedule a discovery call at my website, www.TheBigGameHunter.us

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