10 Critical Steps for Consultants, Entrepreneurs and Job Seekers over 60

The economy has driven many of the formerly employed into entrepreneurship. But what about the formerly retired? Or all those people who thought retirement was on the horizon, only to see their plans change as their investment accounts dwindled and perhaps even their current employment disappeared.

CNNMoney.com reports that, “… there were 450,000 people age 65 and over actively looking for work in July (2009), a whopping 60 percent increase from a year ago, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.”

If you are among the people 60 years of age and older who are looking for a job, a way to supplement your retirement, or the opportunity to start your own business or consulting practice, here are ten critical steps you must take in order to succeed:

1. Become social media savvy. It’s like an instant makeover and will take years off your business persona, making you more competitive in a market that includes younger job seekers, consultants, and business owners.
2. Set up a LinkedIn account, a Facebook page, a Twitter identity, and start blogging. Your brand matters whether you are selling yourself or selling your services.
3. Make sure you are selling what people are buying. Whether you are trying to get a job or trying to attract new clients, you can’t be pedaling yesterday’s news.
4. If your computer competence is limited, improve it. If your sales skills are stagnant, take a class or study online. If your writing proficiency is subpar, get it up to speed. These are three areas where you can reap great rewards by improving your skill set.
5. Redefine yourself as both a generalist and a specialist. The Renaissance man or woman who can adapt, fill multiple needs for an employer or client, and has breadth in his or her expertise has great opportunity. But at the same time, fine-tuning your expertise so that you are differentiated from others in the market, and perceived as the Obvious Expert is just as critical. (Yes, you can be both).
6. Dress your age not your era. Don’t dress like a 25-year-old. But don’t dress like it is 1980, either.  Look contemporary, not ‘cool’.
7. Step-up your fitness routine. Your high energy and obvious healthy inspire others to have confidence in you. A good exercise plan goes a long way toward increasing your energy levels while concurrently reducing your stress levels.
8. Network with people of all ages.
9. Let go of how things used to be and embrace how things are and the possibilities of how things are going to be.
10. Make an inventory of how much you have to offer—your many years of experience covers a lot, so much you will have actually forgotten how much you know and have to offer. Make a list and then reread it from time to time just to remind yourself that the client or employer who gets you is very lucky!

Check out this book by Brian Kurth: Test-Drive Your Dream Job – A Step-By-Step Guide to Finding and Creating the Work You Love and visit The BoomerBlog to read more about the author.

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