3 Tips to Manage Your Midlife Career

Have you been on your job more than 4.6 years? If the answer is yes, you are bucking a trend.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4.6 years is the avearge job tenure in America in 2014—the most recent data available. The combination of midlife + career in search engines results in page after page of “changing you midlife career” and “midlife career crisis.” 

One career expert, Alison Doyle, estimates the average person changes jobs ten to fifteen times (with an average of 12 job changes) during his or her career.  Many workers spend five years or less in every job, so they devote more time and energy transitioning from one job to another. 

Whether voluntarily changing jobs or being forced to find a new career because of circumstance, stress is inevitable according to experts. Rather than making a move as often, try these three tips maintain your job as an experienced worker:

1)   Maintain your perspective

We all have tough days, bad years and challenging co-workers or bosses. When you have 20+ years of experience, you can look back on how you handled the less than perfect times previously. One medical device employee told me, “I had a boss who was a nightmare and he was rapidly advancing through the company. I knew he wouldn’t be my boss for more than 2 years at most. He spent most of his time managing to higher ups-we rarely saw him. Me and my co-workers decided we would focus on doing our jobs excellently. Fortunately, in 15 months he was gone.” The next department manager was markedly better according to the worker who now has been with her company for 11 years. As long as your manager is not abusive or harassing, remember your survival instincts. Do your job exceedlngly well and and seek internal opportunities first. It also helps to develop a strong network of positive people inside and outside work, Remember: This too will pass.

2) Keep learning

Never utter the words, “this is the way we have always done it.” Just because you run a report one way doesn’t mean the information could not be processed differently. Even if you have to learn on your own—go online, take a workshop, find your own mentor or coach, watch YouTube videos to update your skills or knowledge. If your company sponsors courses or training—remain open. One manager discussed his employee’s change in attitude, he’s coachable and it is great working with him. It was a pleasant surprise.” Remember all the information, processes and technical information you’ve learned over your long career. You’ve got this!

3) Attitude is Everything

U.S. life expectancy is 80 years and moving up annually. So those of us born in 1957, the largest year of the baby boom, have at least 21 years ahead of us if we remain healthy. Experienced workers may work longer due to economic necessity, a desire to remain productive or  for the social interaction. According to an American Psychological Association study, 80% of the people 55+ say they’re remaining on the job with their current employer because they enjoy the work they do. Many mature workers want to extend their careers and cannot because of health reasons or changes at the company. Optimism is a learned trait. Remember, if you work in your later years by choice, foster an attitiude of gratitude. You choose to work, found work and have an opportunity to expand your horizons.

Baby Boomer's Secret Career Weapon

What is the most important tactic a Baby Boomer managing their career or seeking a new job can implement in 2015? Developing a LinkedIn strategy is the step every Boomer can use to improve their image at work or trade in their current job for a better one. A recent Jobvite survey shows:

• 96% of recruiters search for candidates on LinkedIn 

• 92% of recruiters research candidates on LinkedIn prior to setting up interviews

According to Wayne Breitbarth, author of The Power Formula for LinkedIn Success, “your unique experience combined with your unique relationships plus LinkedIn equals the power.” The power of LinkedIn is it’s 332+ million users. However, Breitbarth suggest that not all of these connections are equal. “It is no different than going to a networking event in person, says Breitbarth, “it is important to have a connection strategy to determine who you are trying to get in front of to move your career forward.”  He says most people network with their friends, people they know from church, co-workers and neighbors. Instead, people managing their careers should proactively seek connections from target companies and join industry groups. 

Breitbarth, an accountant and entrepreneur, was reluctant to use LinkedIn initially. Since he connected to LinkedIn in 2008, Breitbarth transformed himself into the “LinkedIn Guru” to those who attend his training classes and talks and his book has sold over 70,000 copies. As a Boomer himself, he understands the reluctance to LinkedIn is often generational.

“For sure, no question it is generational. You grew up with much more privacy. Lack of privacy is something 20-somethings take for granted and that really is a fact,” says Breitbarth. Baby Boomers are also less likely to have a photo or summary on their profile. He explains that people in their 50s and 60s are concerned about bragging about themselves or appearing boastful. It even extends to not having a profile photo. 

• A LinkedIn profile with a photo is reportedly viewed 7-14 times more likely to be viewed

• Most LinkedIn profiles miss the opportunity to write a summary

“People on LinkedIn without profile photos and summaries are asking for nothing to happen,” says Breitbarth. He explains that corporate recruiters pay fees for access to all 332 million LinkedIn users. “Recruiters can fully view profiles even without relationships or being part of a group. Hiring managers can see your profile, presentations and recommendations,” according to Breitbarth. He acknowledges that most people freeze when they see an empty box for a summary that may contain up to 2,000 characters. “People need to take the opportunity to tell their story on LinkedIN,” says Breitbarth.

Wayne's book "The Power Formula for LinkedIn Success:  Kick Start Your Business, Brand and Job Search" is available at his website www.powerformula.net.  Also while visiting his website be sure to sign up for his very helpful free weekly email of LinkedIn tips and strategies. 

Powering a Mid-Life Career with LinkedIn

 Brenda's Interview with Dave Meeker

LinkedIn is a valuable resource for everyone from recent graduates, the employed, entrepreneurs, job seekers, companies and everyone in between. Dave Meeker, LinkedIn and Technology Consultant, has helped all of the above and more through his workshops and one-on-one consulting sessions. Meeker began working with the LinkedIn social networking service in 2008 and continues to help professionals maximize the "Power of Their LinkedIn Profile."

“For the recent graduate, LinkedIn is important to develop a network,” says Meeker. He described how students at Butler University created LinkedIn accounts as part of a marketing class project. “For the employed LinkedIn is an important tool to create and develop a network while being open to new opportunities or career advancements." LinkedIn is mission critical to the job seeker, "it is urgent and important,” explained Meeker. Job seekers and others benefit from LinkedIn’s mobile capabilities with up to six mobile Apps by using the ability to quickly seize opportunities and identify key contacts according to Meeker.

One of the tools Meeker teaches in his workshops is how to use keywords, otherwise known, as his unique phrase, "the language of LinkedIn." He describes the language of LinkedIn as a series of keyword phrases that leads recruiters to their profile. A proprietary algorithm adds to the profile ranking process. Meeker believes he has figured out this algorithm.

Why is LinkedIn constantly changing?

"What a lot of people don’t understand about LinkedIn is that it is constantly changing. As the growth of mobile devices and their Apps increase, it appears new Apps and updates to existing Apps will feed this exponential growth of the mobile market." As LinkedIn continues to change and push out rolling updates, Meeker believes he recognizes these patterns before the documentation appears on line.

How important is a photo on a LinkedIn profile? “Since there are fake accounts that generate spam and data mine contact's information, a photo shows you are a real person. The photo is part of your LinkedIn brand that includes your headline, location, current occupation and industry,” said Meeker.

Other expert LinkedIn tips from Meeker include the importance of recommendations from former co-workers. “Recommendations are a lot more important than endorsements on LinkedIn” according to Meeker.  These recommendations provide opportunity to share a STAR (Situation Task Action Response) story or other accomplishments.

To realize the value proposition as a LinkedIn user, Meeker focuses his audience on what he calls, VCR. “Value, Content and Relevance are what users should consider when creating their 360 degree view of their skill, knowledge and experience. Their overall profile should answer the answer the question, "what can you do for me?” says Meeker. The VCR concept is also an imperative part of making posts and making comments, especially with groups.

Currently LinkedIn boasts more than 300 million users and according to Bloomberg business, the company will attempt to expand its user base in China to combat slower growth in the United States. While users are focused on professional networking, LinkedIn generates revenue from advertising, upgrading users to premium accounts and fees charged to recruiters and staffing companies.

While LinkedIn is a space most professionals want to participate in, beware of spam or fake accounts and learn to manage emails and notifications by adjusting your settings under Privacy and Settings.. When in doubt about how to leverage LinkedIn as a resource to grow a business or expand a career, there are experts like Dave Meeker to the rescue! If you’d like to connect with Dave Meeker, you can find him easily on LinkedIn, of course!

Winning Resumes for Experienced Workers

Resumes can be segmented into the good, the bad and the ugly, just like the movie. Recently I read a resume that upped the ante far past ugly. This frightful five-page, single-spaced summary inspired me to address the resume issue again for anyone born when the original movie was released in 1966 or earlier. As gently and respectfully as I can say this to readers everywhere; there is nothing you have done or will do in a corporate setting that requires a five page resume. Okay, there I’ve said it, let’s move on.

The resume exists for one reason, to gain you an interview. That interview may initially be on the telephone and even if it is; the resume has succeeded.

Keep the statement above in mind, and let it guide your resume writing. I disagree with the school of thought and resume practitioners who believe resumes need an objective. Your objective is to gain an interview. The company doesn’t care if you want to leverage your significant strengths in a way to......(zzzzz, I fell asleep). This is not about you, the resume writer—job seeker. This is about the company who is going to pay you, provide you benefits and open a world of opportunities.

Resumes are not read by people anymore mostly for compliance and efficiency reasons. When you apply for a job online on the company’s career page, your resume is entered into an applicant tracking system and retrieved out of that system by someone in the recruiting department (as a rule, the bigger the company, the more junior the person doing the retrieving). Here's an example of what can happen:

500 resumes are received for requisition #56812- Director, Communication and Community Relations for a large regional bank in the recruiting system. These tracking systems use filters. The first filter might be location. The company shouldn’t have to pay to relocate someone with that many applicants. Filtering by location still left the recruiting assistant with over 100 resumes, so he tries a different filter. The bank has had success hiring from competitors; so the junior recruiting assistant keys in the names of competitive banks and voila, twenty-six resumes appear with recent banking industry experience—twelve candidates are local. Two applicants worked for the bank before and are on the “do not rehire list” (yes, that list exists). The ten remaining  resumes are forwarded to the overwhelmed recruiter in charge of the requisition and 490 people will never hear from the company unless their applicant tracking system had an automated, “don’t call us, we’ll call you” screen when they applied. There are as many filters as a company can customize. The bank may have wanted someone with strong media experience, with a certain professional certification or an advanced degree. The applicant tracking system can scan for all of these variables and more.

What can you do?

Have a person who writes and spells well proofread the resume and do not rely on spellcheck.

Read the job posting and use the same keywords in the posting within your resume. (It increases the likelihood your resume will make the scan).

If you know someone at the company have them enter your resume through the employee referral program. Companies often review referrals first.You score an advantage and the employee receive a finders fee after you are hired.

Keep the resume to one page, two at the most. Highlight achievements, not job duties.

There are a lot of long-term unemployed people out there, be honest. Anything you have done to improve your skills while unemployed shows initiative-online classes, free webinars, earning job-related certifications will help if it applies to the job posting.

Keep formatting simple and jobs chronological. The applicant tracking system is a computer program and many of the systems do not process exotic fonts, text boxes and bolding well. Unless it allows a pdf file, you may lose your formatting. Also, a lot of the systems cannot process functional resumes properly.

Consider investing in a professional resume writer if your resume is not yielding interviews. Your local workforce development office or job club may offer these resources at no charge.

Before resumes turn into interviews, it is not uncommon for recruiters to search quickly for you online. Search yourself to insure your online persona and your resume are in alignment, any discrepancies may cost you an interview. Skip the cutesy personal email addresses. Create an email just for your job search if needed.

http://workinglater.blogspot.com/2011/12/resumes-that-win-interviews-4-secrets.html

http://workinglater.blogspot.com/2011/08/successful-online-job-search-tips-for.html

Resumes that Win Interviews: 4 Secrets from Mr. Resume

I met Don Bauder (aka “Mr. Resume”) at an employment networking event last month. When someone gets introduced as “Mr. Resume” I’m thinking he better be good (mildly cynical). Don’s presentation earned him the title. I found myself taking notes and wanted to share a few nuggets of his extensive resume wisdom with you.

If you haven’t updated your resume in a few years...everything has changed. Here are four of Mr. Resume’s secrets in creating a winning resume that leads to an interview.

Secret #1: Skip the career objective at the top of the page. Bauder explained, “Objectives focus on what YOU (the job seeker) wants to do. In this competitive environment you have to stand out and create value for the employer.” He says what you want to do is to explain in this resume what you bring to the table. You have to set yourself apart by communicating your BRAND.

Secret #2: Tell a story. In the past we did a chronological data dump. With bullet points define your brand so your career makes sense to the reader. Examples of your results show what a job seeker can accomplish. According to Bauder, sometimes our experience doesn’t seem consistent for the job we are applying for and it is our job in the resume to tie it together for the reader.

Secret #3: Understand keywords: Computers screen today’s resumes, not people. The computer searches for keywords. Bauder explains that job-seekers have to do their homework and look for potential keywords in the job posting. If the person has that experience, put it in the resume. This is also the point he tells job seekers to never lie on their resume. “It is the worse thing you can do,” says Bauder.

Secret #4: Customize every resume you send out. Bauder explained that each resume has to position your brand a little differently depending on what the employer is looking for. The keywords are going to be different for each posting. He cautions if you use the same resume for your job search, you will be eliminated early in the search.

You can reach Mr. Resume via e-mail at: don_bauder@hotmail.com

Here are other links to blog posts with information related to resumes:

Successful Online Job Searches for Experienced Workers:

http://workinglater.blogspot.com/2011/08/successful-online-job-search-tips-for.html

Turbocharge Your Career with Social Media

http://workinglater.blogspot.com/2011/10/turbocharge-your-career-with-social.html

Expert Career Advice for Labor Day 2011

We move into the Labor Day holiday with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting unemployment remained at 9.1% during August 2011.

Here’s a number you rarely hear reported:

153.6 million

That’s the number of people in the U.S. Labor Force going to work everyday.

So whether you are looking for a job or attempting to maintain the career you have, I’ve asked four experts to weigh-in with one tip to take you to TOP of your career or job search.

From Peggy McKee— Owner of a medical sales recruiting agency based in Dallas, TX

The one tip is that the JOB SEARCH is a sales process.

When you treat is like a sale, you will be much more successful.

Contact Peggy via LinkedIn or Peggy McKee - Owner/Recruiter. PHCConsulting.com (888.263.5688 ext. 100)

From Michael Scott— Chief Career Officer at Career Velocity LLC in Denver.

My tip for experienced job seekers and career changers is: "The best way to access job opportunities is by tapping into your circle of influence, (friends, family, colleagues and other).... people that know, like and trust you and are willing to advocate for your success."

Contact Michael@ Career Velocity, LLC,

1624 Market Street, #202, Denver, CO 80202

or via LinkedIn

From Anne Akridge- President, Interview Owl, Tampa, FL

"If you are 40+ it's safe to say you probably have at least 20+ years of
professional experience.  When it comes to writing your resume, make sure
you only include detailed experience through the last 15-20 years.  Anything
beyond might not serve you well if a more junior recruiter or HR person is
sorting resumes.  They typically feel comfortable seeing 1990 - 2011 in
experience.  Once you get into the 1980's they may unfortunately see that
experience as irrelevant since it's not in today's economic market.  When
detailing your college degrees, enter your degree, college, city/state -
leave off the year.  This will make you relevant to today's market,
highlighting your most recent experience"

Contact Anne via LinkedIn or http://www.twitter.com/interviewowl http://www.interviewowl.com/

From Vanessa Taylor— Talent Development Consultant, Allentown, PA area

Employers are not only looking for who can do the job but also who will be highly motivated to excel in the role and who will have the competencies to grow with the business.  Often, employers question whether more experienced workers are set in their ways, interested in continually learning and growing or if they have the flexibility and stamina to excel in the role and future roles. It is critical that more senior job seekers demonstrate success using key competencies such as leadership, business acumen, learning agility, action orientation, and the motivation to add value through achieving results.

Contact Vanessa@   vandike@aol.com or via LinkedIn

Enjoy your Labor Day long weekend for our U.S. readers.

Age Discrimination: Real & Rising Part 2

Remember when you were a kid and you thought 40 was sooo old? When I was growing up, people called their 50s the “Golden Years.”  And 65?  The image of 65 was retirement and living out your final days with a plaid blanket on your lap in a rocking chair. Baby Boomers have proven getting older is not necessarily the END of anything, especially not work. Aging even looks different now and many people feel healthy into their eighties and beyond. There are studies that confirm the more your mind is stimulated by learning new concepts, brain function improves. Social interaction also has a positive impact on the aging process according to recent research. The problem is---Corporate America and business in general hasn’t necessarily kept up with these changes.

Hiring for all except C-level jobs at many corporations is often an entry-level function--now we have a disconnect. 20-something employees tasked with attending job fairs, screening resumes and performing initial telephone screening interviews with a person old enough to be (YIKES!) their parents or grandparents. I was chatting with a friend over the weekend who is a young-looking 60, relocated and looking for a job for the first time in thirty years. She shared the story of recently walking into an interview and the recruiter (who looked 25-ish) exclaimed, “Wow, you don’t look 60!” Clearly this was meant as a compliment no matter how inappropriate and after a full day of interviews; she was not called back for a final interview. In the back of her mind, the idea that her age was an issue was not missed. The HR recruiter mentioned it, but how many others in the process were distracted by it?

We can’t turn back the clock and we shouldn't have to, but we can implement 4 ideas to level the playing field when we finally have that all important interview.

#1—Image Matters: Come to the interview or job fair in something you know you look good in. For men, it may be the suit you receive the most compliments wearing. People tell you the colors in that tie look good on you or the shirt brings out your eye color. Ladies, wear an outfit that is up-to-date, but tried and true. Knowing you look good will give your confidence a boost. Your main goal is to dress age-appropriately in well-fitting clothes for a professional interview. Many department stores offer free personal shopper service and you can get objective feedback about what styles looks best on you.

#2—Watch your Words: You will hear job-seekers lamenting about how old they are, how old they feel or how this job is a step down, but they are desperate for work. That’s not appropriate for an interview. Even if the recruiter is mature, they are not your confidante. Don’t be your own worse enemy bringing up references to age or how you hate computers, technology or how your smart phone is smarter than you, ha-ha. Even self-deprecating jokes have no place in the interview. Keep your tone  up-beat, be confident, friendly—and professional.

#3—Role Play & Practice the Interview: You should have answers to basic questions already in your head.  What are your strengths? Weaknesses?  Rehearse how you are going to answer questions about extended unemployment. Have concise illustrations ready for behavioral interview-style questions. Those questions usually start with, “Tell me about a time when….?” Keep it short and focused because a lot of experienced people (myself included) tend to ramble. When they ask you for questions, have 2-3 questions ready and make sure they put you in a good light. Don’t ask about time off, health benefits or  negative company comments you read on a corporate message board.

#4—Sell Yourself: You are at the interview to sell yourself as a high-performer with experience and maturity. You are a professional that works well with others and your skills can help the company meet its objectives. Use sales techniques to learn what problem the company is trying to solve and position yourself as the solution.  In the interview ask some “closing” questions. How do my skills align with your idea of the perfect candidate? If there are gaps, you can address them. Would I have your support to move on to the next level of interviews? If not, you can address the issue and ask the question again later in the interview. Close each person you talk with for their support in hiring you for the job.

These four ideas can help you level the playing field and position yourself for success. It is tough out there, but it just takes one great offer to move your career into high gear. If you have advice, additional tips or strategies that have worked—share your comments.

Successful Online Job Search Tips for Experienced Workers

The strategy of an online job search is very different from searching for employment in the 1980s or even in the low unemployment era of the 1990s. Recently, I talked with my former colleague &  good friend Connie Savage, SPHR, LinkedIn LION-- an independent recruiter and job search coach about what makes a successful online search today and how can experienced workers position themselves competitively. If you haven’t looked for a job in three years, everything’s changed.

Brenda: Are there any jobs out there for workers over 40?

Connie: There are plenty of specific jobs out there for qualified people, but the employers are trying to find everything on their “wish list” in one person. With so many people looking for work, employers are very picky about experience and still may not pay what people made in the 1990s when unemployment was 5%. Now unemployment is nearly double that and it is very competitive. Job seekers have to be realistic.

Brenda: Why do some people apply for hundreds of jobs online and never receive more than an automated response?

Connie: Generally, people don’t understand how online job search works. First, there are hundreds, maybe even thousands of responses for a single job listing. Many of them are not remotely qualified, which is why online is so efficient for the staffing department. The applicant tracking system and recruiters will search for keywords, so you want to have those in your resume or online application. You can usually find keywords in the job posting. The tracking system then ranks the resumes based on “relevance” or how closely they match the job description. The staffing specialist may only consider the top 25; maybe the best candidate is #438. Their resume may never be seen.  Staffing departments have a lot fewer people than they have in the past.

Brenda:  Would online applications make it a more equal playing field for mature workers that meet the specific qualifications?

Connie: I wouldn’t assume that age doesn’t matter. An employer can determine how long you’ve worked because many of the online systems require dates. Some employers are looking for someone with 5-7 years experience or 10 years experience, so they may not plan on bringing in someone with thirty years of experience.

Brenda: What can a 40+ worker do to stand out and have their online application reach the top?

Connie: #1:  The best way to be sure your resume is seen is to tweak your resume to reflect the job description EXACTLY.  You must create different resumes for different jobs.  Use keywords contained in the job description and you can even list keywords along the bottom of your resume. Also keep your resume “refreshed” on the website.  Each time you “refresh” your resume it moves up on the list the recruiter sees, since most are listed in either date order, or relevance order.  This will give your resume a better chance of reaching higher relevance in the candidate database when the recruiter is working on that opening.

#2:  keep graduation dates and any other non relevant dates off the resume and don’t list jobs over ten or fifteen years ago unless they are relevant.

#3: with some online applicant systems if you enter “99/99” it will over-ride the date for graduations

#4: always apply at the company website.  Applicants don’t realize that it is extremely expensive for companies to utilize the mega job boards, and, as the staffing department budgets are cut, they are relying more and more on other means to attract candidates like employee referral programs, their own company websites, and networking sites like LinkedIn, Jigsaw, Craigs List and many other “free” resources.

#5: If there is a place to add an objective or statement—don’t leave it blank! Put something clever related to the job and keywords to more perfectly match the listing.

#5 Consider having a professional assist you with your resume and coach you when you do get that precious interview.  It could well be worth the investment.

Other online job search tips to remember--- some of the more sophisticated online applicant systems have a second step that asks specific questions to rule out people without their “must have” qualifications. Once you make it through the first hurdle, you may get a follow-up e-mail. Use all of your online resources including alumni listings, professional associations, career specific sites. If you know people who work for the company see if there is an employee referral program. Before using this source, however, be certain that the individual referring you is in good standing and well respected in the company, otherwise this one could backfire on you. Generally, the employee receives a finders fee if you are hired. Employers are going to LinkedIn, Jigsaw, Juju, Indeed even Twitter & Facebook and getting away from just the mega job sites—so use social media wisely. Put your name, city and state in a search engine to see if the search results are what you want a future employer to see. Please don’t forget to network with your contacts at the company. The hiring manager may ask the staffing department to search for you by name. Never stop networking!

Connie is the President of CSS Recruiting and Consulting and can be reached via LinkedIn.

MidLife Jobs in Unexpected Places

Never Say Never

There are certain things in life that I promised myself to never do, like the first time I saw someone bungee jump off a bridge. My first thought was not me—EVER.  In the 1980s when I lived in California, people were walking over hot coals to prove some mind over matter theory.  Again, I watched and knew I wanted no part of that. Once I got out of there, I knew I would never see that group of people again. EVER.

Then there were those things I was so sure of and over time my feelings changed—like promising to never eat sushi again after food poisoning from a bad batch. It took some time. Actually it took a decade, but one night I was tempted by the most delicious California Roll, and…well the rest is history. But, I digress.

Would you? Could you? Go back to an employer you worked for before. They call them Boomerang Jobs. Similar to Boomerang (Adult) Children that leave home and then come back to live with their parents. Boomerang Jobs are companies you worked for at one time and then years pass—even a decade--- and you go back. When you shut that door and left you said, “I’ll never work here again!” Never say Never and I’ll tell you why.

Industries are shrinking and as the companies consolidate, you could find yourself working for the company you thought you left.  It happened to a friend of mine. After a long career, a new President/CEO brought in his own management team. My friend saw the writing on the wall. The new people would keep him from making the career moves he had planned. As the CEO’s trusted VPs were hired in from their previous company; they brought in their own Director-level people. So my friend quit and went to work for a competitor. Less than two years later, the very same management team took over his new company where he was now a Director-level employee. He was laid off—and kept his same functional job, and changed industries.

Sometimes the situation changes at a company and you want to go back. There could be a shift in leadership, a new product line is introduced or an expansion. The company you worked for could change dramatically in a few years and they may welcome you back. Depending on your previous role with that employer, they may need you for your specialized skill. You may have deep organizational knowledge that could be used in a different area of the company than your worked previously. I have one friend who worked in a technical area of an organization and after a decade of global experience with an unrelated company returned to her former employer in the finance department. So, when you are in a job search, look no further than your resume for leads. You are sure to still find a contact person there or a former colleague who can give you some insight.

Remember one career management tip when you are re-hired. Avoid comparisons between “the good old days at the company” and now. “Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift that’s why they call it, the present.”---Alice Morse Earle