Presented by: Cheri Chappelle

1. Restarting at 50
Moving forward from an Unexpected Job Loss Later in Life

2. Presentation Overview
•Goals
•Background
•Preparing for the job hunt
•The résumé
•Social media
• Job hunting options
•The interview
•The new job
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

3. Presentation Goals
This presentation is not intended to provide
career counseling; rather its purpose is to share
the real-life experiences of a 50-something
engineer who suddenly found herself out of
work. The goal is to stimulate discussion among
those who are or have been in a similar position.
That being said, I will include some tips from my job
search, along with some of the advice I received
from career counseling services.
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

4. Background - Who I am
• BS/MS Materials Engineering with a primary focus on
welding metallurgy
• Spent ~15 years in the welding consumable manufacturing
industry doing everything from welding electrode
development to welding safety and health to technical
service
• In 2000 I took a job with a member-based consulting firm
as a senior project engineer
• After 8 years in that position, I decided to try my hand at
project management, and made a lateral move within the
company
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

5. Background – Why I’m here
• In 2010, the unthinkable happened
• I found myself out of work after 10 years with the
company
•My previous job transitions had always been on my
terms
•With a teenage daughter at home, relocation was
not an attractive option
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

6. Before you lose your job
•Keep an eye out for warning signs
•Don’t think that it can’t or won’t happen to you
• If you suspect your job may be terminated in the
future, now is the time to start looking
•Build your network/contacts while you are still
working
•Remember – it is easier to find a job if you have a
job!
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

7. When you get the news…
• If possible, negotiate for a good severance package
– Bonuses
– Health insurance
– Stock options
– Unused vacation
• Consult an attorney
• It’s important to understand what your rights are what you
might be giving up when you sign your severance
agreement
• Collecting unemployment
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

8. Emotional Stages of Job Loss
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work
•Denial
• Disbelief
•Outward anger
•Self-criticism
•Withdrawal
• Reflection
•Acceptance

9. ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work
Get over it!
• It’s important to come to terms with the job loss
before you start looking for a new job
• If you are angry or depressed it will come through in
your search
• It is essential to have a good explanation about why
you lost the previous job
– Don’t play the blame game
– Be honest
– If you don’t believe it, neither will they

10. Career Counseling Services
•Can help you move forward through your
transition
•Résumé services – writing, reviewing, printing
services
• Job boards
•Personal presentation
•Practice interviews
•Some companies will pay costs if you are laid off
or terminated
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

11. It’s Not Your Mother’s Résumé
• Start with a summary of your experience/skills
– Should be tailored to specific job you are applying for
– Use key words that match the words in the job descriptions
• Use bullet points to highlight major achievements
• How do you highlight a wealth of experience without coming
across as old?
– Over 20 years experience in… vs. 30 years experience in…
– May be helpful to try to avoid using dates when possible (but
don’t go overboard to the point that it looks like you’ve got
something to hide)
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

12. The Résumé
• A two-page résumé is okay,
but don’t overdo it
• It is not necessary to list every
job that you have ever held –
emphasize relevant experience
• Have a separate page (or pages) listing publications and
presentations
• Be ready to provide references if requested
– Be sure to give your references a heads-up before
you provide their names to potential employers
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

13. Avoid Tired or Overused Buzzwords
and Phrases
• Extensive experience
• Innovative
• Motivated
• Results-oriented
• Dynamic
• Proven track record
• Team player
• Fast-paced
• Problem solver
• Entrepreneurial
• Detail-oriented
• Excellent communication
skills
• Self-starter
• Leadership skills
•Works well with customers
• Managed cross-functional
teams
• Skilled problem solver
• Proven ability
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

14. Job Hunting in the Age of
Social Media
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

15. Job Hunting in the Age of
Social Media
• Social media can be a useful tool or a deathtrap for
someone looking for a job
• LinkedIn is probably the most helpful of the social media
outlets for job hunters
– A large number of search firms and independent “head-hunters”
use LinkedIn
– Make sure your profile is up-to-date and ask friends and
former co-workers for recommendations
– 33 percent of employers who research candidates on
social networking sites say they’ve found content that
made them more likely to hire a candidate
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

16. Social Media Faux Pas
• Before beginning your job search, check your social
media pages for inappropriate content
• Rule of thumb – if you wouldn’t want your mother to see
it, don’t post it
– Provocative or inappropriate photographs or information
– Posts about excessive drinking or drug use
– Bad-mouthing previous company or fellow employee(s)
– Poor communication skills
– Discriminatory comments related to race, gender, religion etc.
– Lying about qualifications
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

17. The Job Search
• Use of job search engines
– Monster.com
– Careerbuilder.com
– Simplyhired.com
– Theladders.com
– + many, many more
• Company job pages
• Industry/trade group pages
• Personal contacts
• “Head-hunters”
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

18. Internet Job Search Engines
•Aka the “black hole”
•My experience
– Low hit rate
– Résumés go in but nothing comes out
– Useful for making your quota for job applications for
collecting unemployment
– But… the more your résumé is out there, the more likely
it is that the “right” person will find it
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

19. Company Job Pages
•Pick companies you are interested in in your
search area and monitor their job boards
•Many offer e-mail alerts for particular job search
terms
•When you find a position that you are interested
in applying for, tailor your cover letter and resume
to fit the job
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

20. Headhunters
• Whether you choose to use a headhunter (aka job search
firm/recruiter) or not, chances are that once you start
applying for jobs they will find you
• Can help to target your job search
• May have access to unpublished job searches
• In many cases, the fees are paid by the company
• The fee is typically calculated as a percentage of the
starting salary, so they have a vested interest in helping
you to negotiate a better salary, and some will negotiate
on your behalf
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

21. How can you be sure that your
résumé is getting to the right people?
•Computer screening may filter out candidates
whose qualifications do not exactly match the
qualifications of the job description
•May take some digging to find out who the hiring
manager is
•Do you have contacts within the company who can
help you out?
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

22. Phone Interviews
• If possible, use a land line
• If you must use a cell phone, make sure you are in a
location where you have a strong, consistent signal
• Make sure phone/handset is fully charged
• Reduce/eliminate background noise
– Squeaky chair
– Kids/pets
– Street noises
– Television/radio
– Background noises associated with public location
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work
• Smile!

23. Video Interviews
• Increasingly companies are going to video interviews for the
first or second interview
• Make sure your computer can handle the system
requirements
• Use a desktop system if possible, but if not, set your laptop
on a table or other stable location at eye level
• Be aware of what is behind you that will be visible to the
interviewer
• Dress appropriately
• Do a visual check ahead of time
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

24. The Interview - Appearance Matters!
• That suit that you wore for a job interview in the 90’s may
not be a good choice for a job interview in 2014
• A two-piece matched suit is the best and safest choice
• Dress slacks and a well-coordinated blazer may be
appropriate
• Try to avoid looking dowdy
• It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed
• Most importantly – look professional
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

25. To Color or Not to Color?
Even though it may be fairly obvious from your
résumé that you are well into your 50’s, the hiring
manager may not consider you as being too old
unless you look old
September, 2010 September, 2011
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

26. Making a Good Impression During
the Interview
• Research the company
• Have some specific, relevant questions about the
company and the job prepared ahead of time
• Body language is important
• Rehearse
• Have some personal success stories that you can talk
about
• If a presentation is required, pick a subject that you are
comfortable with – if it highlights your strengths or
successes, all the better
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

27. What Not to Do During an Interview
• Answer cell phone or text during the interview (it’s best
to turn cell phone off, or at a minimum put it on silent)
• Dress inappropriately or wear too much make-up,
jewelry or perfume
• Appear disinterested
• Appear arrogant
• Speak negatively about a current or previous employer
• Chew gum
• Do provide specific answers to interviewer’s questions
• Do ask thoughtful questions
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

28. After the Interview
• Send a brief follow-up note thanking the interviewer for
his/her time; tell him/her that you would be happy to answer
any additional questions
• If possible, mention something specific from the interview or
maybe send a copy of one of your publications that came up
during the interview
• Send a follow-up e-mail expressing your continued interest
in the position two or three days after the date when you
expected to hear from them
• If you do not get a response after two attempts, move on
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

29. Should you accept a less-than-ideal
job offer?
• Salary
• Location
• Not exactly what you want
• A step back from a previous position
• Concerns about supervisor or coworkers
Is it better to go ahead and take the job and continue to look,
or should you turn it down in the hopes that something better
will come along?
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

30. Things to Consider Before Turning
Down a Job
•How long have you been out of work?
•Current family situation
• If the issue is location, does the location represent a
minor inconvenience (e.g., a longer commute) or would
it require uprooting your family and moving across the
country?
• Is there potential for growth/promotion/moving into a
more suitable position
•How long do you think you could put up with the
negatives before you would feel compelled to quit?
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

31. Hanging a Shingle
•Working as an independent consultant may be an option
for some people in some fields
• May be difficult to establish a client base
• Do you have access to equipment/facilities that you may
need to do the job?
• Success will depend on level of commitment
– Can mean long hours with low returns, especially initially
– Is it a short-term filler while you are looking for a full-time position?
Consulting definitely is not for everybody!
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

32. Major Career Change
• Losing a job could be an opportunity to explore a new
career path
• Is there something you’ve always thought you might be
good at, but never really had the chance to give it a try?
• Is additional training or education required?
– Can you afford the tuition?
– Can you afford to be without income for awhile?
• What sort of safety net do you have in place?
• Is early retirement an option?
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

33. The Light at the End of the Tunnel
• Congratulations – you’ve landed a job!
• Salary negotiations
• Vacation
• Background check
• Drug testing
Don’t jump the gun and post the new position on LinkedIn
(or other social media) until you actually start the job!
ITW’s Enterprise Strategy at Work

34. Questions?
Thank you!