Age bias is rampant throughout the hiring process. Recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) recruiters need a new paradigm and path to create measurably better hires by focusing on talent recruitment and the elimination of age and inclusion biases through the entire pipeline – from job description to applicant tracking software (ATS) usage to onboarding and team development.

1. Boomer Work
Re-engagement Path
A guide to happier treasure (work) hunting,
employer engagement and greater success!
2021

2. How much time will I work?
• I need job/work stability to meet
my basic needs for years to come.
• I’m dealing with and getting
through my mixed feelings.
• Up to 30 hours is a good
range/limit.
• I have the energy, talent and skills
to exceed expectations.
• And can learn more.
• Engage me.

3. What is my passion?
• Make it personal.
• Doing what brings me joy.
• Using my talents and skills.
• Enabling others.
• Learning and doing.
• More diverse experiences on my
journey.

4. What do I really like to do?
• (Personal, evocative answers.)
• Whatever energizes me and my
tribe. Experiences.
• Laugh and smile a lot.
• Spend my time around positive,
supportive people.
• Get up, get going & get it done.
• Teach and mentor.
• Get clear responses to my
involvement and my performance.

5. What are my 5 top strengths?
• Use the Strengths Finders 2.0
evaluation to find yours.
• Find yours. These are mine.
• Maximizer.
• Positive force/leader.
• Activator.
• Learner.
• Communicator.

6. What have I achieved?
• Team builder and leader.
• Met or exceeded goals and
quotas, even at a high cost.
• Pioneered customer service.
• Healed and supported others –
family, tribe and workplace
team.
• Learned and applied new skills.
• Happiness and health. Little or
no time away from work.

7. How much money do I want/need?
• Without Social Security, about
$48,000 +.
• With Social Security, about $30-
36,000 +.
• Or I can be flexible and work on
an hourly or project basis.
• Probably don’t need a cafeteria
benefits package.

8. Who benefits from my talent, skills and energy?
• Flexible employers who want
diverse, productive teams.
• Major sectors; retail, service
and manufacturing.
• Companies who blatantly
reward creativity.
• Industry segment leaders.
• Look for DEI industry leaders.

9. What are employers seeking?
• Talent that leads to results.
• Willingness to adapt and learn.
• Prospects who prepare, show up
on time and bring a willingness
to create.
• And do good work without
worrying about who gets the
credit.

10. Where are they looking?
• Online.
• Current employees.
• Weak relationships with some
visibility.
• Recommendations from an H R
recruiter.
• And sometimes among
connections and colleagues.

11. Why are they reliant on applicant tracking
software (ATS) and online applications?
• Many employers use applicant
tracking systems (ATS), also
known as talent
management systems, to
process job applications and to
manage the hiring process.
• The software provides an
automated way to manage the
entire recruiting process, from
applications to hiring employees.

12. What do I need to look like to match
what an employer wants?
• Baby Boomers are extremely
hardworking and motivated by
position, perks, and prestige.
• Historically, Baby Boomers relish
long work weeks and define
themselves by their professional
accomplishments.
• Since they sacrificed a great deal to
get where they are in their career,
this workaholic generation believes
that other generations need to pay
their dues too.

13. How do I package and present myself?
• Read a book like the Boomer’s
Career Survival Guide to start.
• Get current on the processes and
lingo of the area where you want
to impact.
• Network. Get out and meet people
in groups. And virtually.
• Network some more. It’s likely the
path to the work and environment
you want.
• Practice smiling. Learn to ask open-
ended questions.
• Exhale.

14. What do I wear to an interview or job fair?
• Start with your shoes. Make sure
they shine.
• Then upward to the rest of your
business casual/casual
wardrobe.
• Really good, positive body
language!!!
• A relaxed smile.

15. What does the recruitment process look like?
• Approve position and then the
posting. Post on major job boards.
• Engage an applicant tracking software
from those boards or one that funnels
applicants to you. It checks for key
words and skill sets.
• Out of that funnel come the best
matches. Then the H R person selects
the four finalists for Zoom interviews.
• Then sometimes down to the last two
for in person interviews.
• Then the offer and acceptance. Finally,
comes on boarding.

16. How can I use my network to move me closer
to the hiring manager?
• Identify your “weak” contacts.
They will be the most useful and
powerful in getting you along
your path. Email or call them.
• Learn to write the “Big Ask”
emails. Get help with this.
• Online or in person. Ask for AIR –
Advice, Insights and Referrals.
• Circle back and ask another way.

17. How do I create a killer resume?
• Header. Put your hard skills and
soft skills at the top under your
Summary.
• Add measurable career
achievements and/or firsts.
Experience. Education (dates
optional).
• Additional relevant experience.
• And, finally, here’s what I bring
and here’s what I want.

18. What cover letter template do I use?
• When it comes to a star Baby
Boomer’s cover letter, clearly illustrate
how you’re willing to embrace new
things and how you can help mentor
younger employees.
• Highlight your unique qualifications
and recent accomplishments (not
from 10+ years ago).
• Present yourself in positive action
words. Discuss how your talent,
professional attributes,
accomplishments, and experience
meet the employer’s needs.
• Ask for a meeting!

19. Who are my 3 references?
• Three non-family friends and
colleagues/co-workers.
• People you trust who will say
nothing bad about you even if
they say very little.
• Have their correct email
addresses and cell numbers.
• Exhale.

20. What do I do when I get frustrated?
• Look, I get it. Ageism in your job
search exists. I won’t tell you it
doesn’t. However, you can
conquer it, regardless of your
age.
• So . . . realize every no gets you
closer to your “Yes!”. Practice
positive affirmations. Find and
build your small tribe of friends
who “get it”.

21. How do I measure my progress?
• Use your calendar app or a
spreadsheet like Excel. Record
your number of searches
(online), number of applications
and # of interviews.
• Review at intervals and see what
you can improve or how you can
ask your network contacts for
intros or suggestions.

22. How can I share my success and my experience . . .
bad & good?
• Stay connected with your base
group.
• Write your experiences in terms
of “observations” not opinions
or whines (if it’s a negative
experience). Journal & post.
• Ask for advice and insights and
referrals (AIR). And give them!
• Be adaptable, but always
persistent and resilient.

23. Is a Career Coach a Better Choice?
• It is if you are not sure of your
pivot direction and self-esteem.
• Choose a coach for part of this
new journey and then build out
your success from that point.
• You can check in with your coach
any time or at key decision and
action points. 512 799 4676.

24. Download and Share!
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6h0bjt6eulym63ky01sr2/Boomer-
Employment-Re-entry-Path-2021-reviewed-and-updated-
8.16.2021.pptx?dl=0&rlkey=sbf3gfg88aurue3enswka8izu