The term “The Threshold Generation” describes all of us who have had to move their retirement date up due to their net worth going down. Many of us are working past the time when we dreamed of retiring. The rules that our parents and grandparents played by are gone, like the old idea of staying at one organization for your entire career.

2. Threshold
Generation
Valli Swerdlow
VALLI Associates
BABY VOOMER ™ Career Coach
Executive Leadership Coach for Baby Boomers
www.valliassociates.com 703-615-3834 @valliswerdlow

3. Definition
How many of you fit this description?
• Baby Boomers
• 45 to 65 years old
• Must move targeted retirement date
out due to economic conditions

4. Question #1
What age group will have the largest
growth rate in the US Labor Force
between 2006 and 2016?
1.) 25+ year olds
2.) 35+ year olds
3.) 45+ year olds
4.) 55+ year olds
4

5. Answer
93% of the growth in the US Labor Force
2006 to 2016 will be 55+
1.) 25+ year olds
2.) 35+ year olds
3.) 45+ year olds
4.) 55+ year olds
By PEW - “America’s Changing Workforce,
Recession Turns a Graying Office Grayer,” 9/09
Why?...

6. Current Economy
• Rise of unemployment
• Recession
• Devaluation of the dollar
• Swelling baby boomer generation

7. Annual number of births in US
1940 - 2001
4.3 billion
people

8. Result: Moving retirement date

9. Difference Between Change and
Transformation
“Change”
is Situational or External
(move to a new city, shift to a new job, birth of a new baby, acquisition, switch of a new
health care plan, getting a new manager)
“Transformation”
is Psychological or Internal
(NOT the events but the inner re-orientation or self-redefinition in order to go
through the change)
William Bridges “Transitions - Making Sense of Life’s Changes”

10. Examples:
Change v. Transformation
• Company Merger
• Executive Relocation
• Promotion
10

11. Lifetime Employment
OR
Lifetime Employability
Edgar Schein - MIT

12. Lifetime Employment
OR
Lifetime Employability
Edgar Schein - MIT
Key Point to Remember!
•It’s about Empowerment!
•To be Employable and Fulfilled
• Bring passion back into your
work life

13. How about your future…
• How many of you think that you will be
doing exactly the same work for the
next…
5 years?
10 years?
15 years?

14. 7 Mistakes of the Threshold Generation
1. “I’ll just do what I was doing before.”
2. “My experience speaks for itself. Lots of
employers would be lucky to have me.”
3. “I’ve always been successful so why
should things be any different?”

15. 7 Mistakes of the Threshold Generation
4. “I just need a job. I don’t have time for this
touchy - feely stuff about what work means to
me.”
5. “I’ll just use a recruiter if I ever need a new
job.”
6. “I know the answer! I’ll become a
consultant….or maybe a security guard.”
7. Of course I’m good at computers! I have
been working with Windows 98 for years!”
MetLife Mature Market Institute 10/09

16. A Few More…..
8. “Sure I have a suit, tie and shoes for the
interview. I bought them 20 years ago and
have hardly ever worn them!”
9. “Ok, the shirt is a little frayed, the suit’s
sleeves are a little too short. Maybe I have
put on a few pounds and can’t button the
bottom button, so I’ll leave the jacket open.”

17. and….
10. “I’ve been in sales all my life and performed
as a top producer. I can sell anything!”
11. “Don’t worry. I’ve aced every interview I’ve
been on and always got the job.”
12. “I’ve sat behind my desk for 30 years and
interviewed people before you were born. No
thank you, I don’t need any coaching!”

18. YOUR NEXT MOVE…
Consider career evaluation early!
• Job may disappear
• Health factors
• Glass ceiling
• Required to retire
• Bad boss
• Lost the passion

19. Plan your next move now!
• It is all about having choices
Goal (definition)
Choices…a whole new world
opens up to you

20. 10 New Rules For Work
First Three Are Key!
1. No Job Security
2. You Are the President of “You Inc.”
3. Always Be Looking For Your Next Job/Role

21. #1

22. #2

23. #3

24. #4

25. #5

26. #6

27. #7

28. #8
Valli Swerdlow 703-615-3834 valli@valliassociates.com
@ valliswerdlow (twitter) http://www.valliassociates.com

29. #9

30. #10

31. Plan Your Next Move
• Do it yourself books:

32. Plan Your Next Move
Do it yourself online:
• Join professional associations and consider becoming an active
board member.
• Join a committee, volunteer.
• Research top companies to work for - over 50.
• Career One Stop Centers www.CareerOneStop.org
• O*Net Online www.ONetCenter.org
• Sign up and take courses at The Women’s Center
(www.TheWomensCenter.org) as well as at NOVA, local colleges
and universities.

33. Plan Your Next Move
• Importance of an objective look at you
Values Skills
Interests Personality
Career &
Network
Life Style
Health Finances

34. Plan Your Next Move
• Are You…
• …An Introvert?
• …An Extrovert?
34

35. Year of the Introvert
It’s a little known fact that 50% of top
executives are introverts!
35

36. Plan Your Next Move
• Interviewing skills
• Know Your Strengths
• Introvert/Extrovert
• Resume Development
• Elevator Speech
• Training needs
• Develop a plan

37. Think Ahead
• Know your choices soon
• You can begin the connections earlier
• Actually move into a position of
enjoyment, discover your passion
– Because you want to, not because you have
to!
Valli Swerdlow
VALLI Associates
BABY VOOMER™Career Coach and Executive Leadership Coach for Baby Boomers
www.ValliAssociates.com