55 is not my limit

I astonish myself when I realize that last time I seriously looked for work, I was still in my twenties. Back then, when all resumes were delivered by regular U.S. mail and the term "snail mail" hadn't yet been coined, my phone (a land line, of course) would almost always jingle a few days after my resume hit the mailbox. Getting a job, or at least an interview, wasn't that difficult.

Thus far in my present job search, the only response to my resume has been an automated email from noreply@corporationthatwon'tbenamed letting me know that my online application has been received.

To anyone reading my resume who can count, it's apparent that this job hunter-and-gatherer is from a pre-historic era.

Yet, in my complimentary outplacement classes and according to speakers on the job-networking circuit, I should continue to use the "chronological resume" format that gives away my approximate age, along with  the decades of experience that may overqualify me for some jobs. They're quite firm about that. Employers will think you're hiding something if you go with the "functional resume" format.

You really can't hide your age from many of today's online applications, anyway. Some boldly ask for the month and year you entered college, as well as the month and year of graduation.

So I'll just go ahead and say it. I celebrated a birthday recently, and turned 55. There you go. But 55 is not my speed limit. Nor is it my defining quality as an employee.

At last week's Southlake Focus Group, where they're big on keeping stats on job landings, a speaker noted there was a big difference in the number of landings for those under 50 with "New Economy" skills, and those over 50, presumably loaded down with useless "Old Economy" skills. But on a more positive note, those who stepped up to the Southlake microphone that day to celebrate their landings had that distinguished, polished presence that only "50-plus" can impart. So, I'm far from throwing in the towel.

I believe that networking, maximizing personal contacts, and putting yourself out there in person are going to be an important part of the job-hunt strategy for everyone in this "Bad Economy," but especially for those of us whose wealth of experience, savvy, and good old-fashioned work ethic put us in danger of being deemed "overqualified."