Arbitration & Mediation

10,000 Boomers a Day Do Not Go Gently into Retirement

By Victoria Pynchon

Even before the recession I was asking anyone within shouting distance just exactly what the country was going to do when the largely bankrupt baby boom became the largest impoverished retired class the country has ever known.  

Post-recession, we're even deeper in debt and searching for last minute solutions.

One thing's for sure. Most of us will not be retiring at 65 - the age 10,000 boomers a day will benchmark in 2011.

For those of our age-mates who are unemployed, I penned a New Year's post over at ForbesWoman entitled 10,000 Boomers a Day . . . Getting Back to Where We Once Belonged containing some much needed advice on negotiating your way back into the workforce.

Below an excerpt.  Further advice at the link.

Brentwood Executive Search strategist  Marcia Basichis suggests that job hunters do what any good negotiator would – learn your potential employers' interests and tailor your resume to match them. 'All job candidates,' says Basichis 'should  research companies they would like to work for, thoroughly going over their websites to understand the business.'

Instead of focusing on the past – the  dead-weight contained in most resumes -Basichis recommends looking to the future by writing potential employers letters explaining  how your existing skills, education and experience can benefit the company you wish to join.

Dont overstate,' says Basichis, 'but craft your resume in a manner that makes your experience most closely match the specific job you seek.'

Canadian attorney Michael Webster adds to my post on interest-based negotiation, there are only two questions you need to ask yourself to radically increase your chances of winning the coveted job you seek. First, ask what you would do if you and your potential employer were one person instead of two. Second, ask how you might credibly signal what both parties would need to do to achieve that goal.

Check out these related articles as well:

Bad News for Gen-Y:  Older Workers Clinging to Jobs

Five Ways for Older Workers to Cope with Job Hunting

Great Job Sites for Older Workers

5 Strategies for 55+ Job Hunters

79 Million Boomers Begin Retiring Now

Starting Over at 55

Retire? Forget About It!

Readers!  Please add your resources for unemployed boomers as your first act of random kindness for 2011.

Full post as published by Settle It Now Negotiation Blog on January 01, 2011 (boomark / email).