Don’t look for work in the same “old” way
If you have recently begun to look for a new job or consulting position, you may be surprised to find that job search rules have changed. It may no longer be enough to write a resume, to send it out to your network, apply for posted positions/assignments and then wait for an employer to contact you. One issue is the dearth of available posted positions and the abundance of qualified, available candidates. Another issue is that your resume or work history, is just that- it is your “history”-your previous skills and work background.  While important to have a written record documenting your work experience, employers are more and more interested in knowing what you are currently contributing (as in this month, this week or even today) to your chosen field. 
 
Employers are not waiting
You may be even more surprised to find out that many employers are not just waiting for resumes to come in but, in fact, are actively searching the Internet for qualified candidates. The candidates who are most in demand, are setting themselves apart by contributing a body of fresh new, relevant information to their fields of expertise. And they are doing it by using the social media to become “on-line publishers” of sorts.
 
Why is using the social media an asset to 50+ job seekers?
So now that you know that job searchers are all but expected to contribute their expertise to on-line communities, let’s discuss the biggest surprise of all.

For all of us that are in the 50+ category, this is great news! Let me count just a few of the ways: 
1. If you are out of traditional work, you can make contributing to on line professional conversations your current consulting assignment. You can continue to work, even if you are not holding a traditional position or even being paid. Just think of it as volunteering in your field and you can do it from anywhere at anytime.
2. Learning the social media technology keeps you fresh and up to date. You may remember from an earlier column of mine, the comment that that “we can’t be young again but we can be new.” By keeping up with the latest in technology and social media publishing, you are keeping yourself fresh, current, and in the game. As a result you will be expressing your own unique viewpoint and will also be more likely to get on the radar screen of prospective employers and clients. The exciting news is that no matter what your previous experience, you can begin to publish your own distinctive perspective. 
3. It has never been easier to break into the on line social media community-either by creating your own blogs or contributing to the conversation on established sites.

How to get started in social media
You can begin right away to create your own on-line social media presence. Let’s get started! 
• Find out what, if anything, has already been “published” about you by doing a Google search using your name in the search box. 
• Determine a clear professional objective for developing your on line presence.  If your objective is to seek employment, you will then, research the most timely topics that are being discussed, relevant to your field, and contribute your perspective, your resources, your comments through targeted, relevant on line social media resources. 
• Get started by establishing a linked-in profile, where you will publish your on-line profile and then can take part in applicable on-line professional discussions. 
• Begin a blog or contribute to an existing one. A great place to contribute right away, is to post responses to a column, of relevant interest. For example, on this site, 50Fab. Choose a column, contribute your insights and comments and voila you have entered the blog side of the social media publishing world

I’d love to hear your career oriented social media tips and success stories. Give me a buzz at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

You Can Work with Susan Whipple! Susan Whipple, MA, CPCC, certified career and life coach, left a 15 year corporate management position and designed fulfilling new work as a career and life coach for mid-life professionals. With over 14 years coaching experience, and a relevant on-line presence, Susan offers a complimentary telephone coaching session so that you can get energized and into motion on re-inventing your life and career. You will also learn more about how to custom design a coaching relationship, with Susan, that brings the best results for you. Schedule your complimentary coaching session with Susan by email at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 415-332-3640. You can also learn more about Susan at http://www.susanwhipple.com