For the 40 and 50 year old’s….how can you guarantee you will have a job today and in the next decade?

Jump down one notch to jump two in the coming future.

All too often, I hear people who are in their 40’s and 50’s say things like this, “I’ve climbed up the ladder the past 20 years and deserve to be where I am today. I received such a good salary that I didn’t need to look elsewhere. I’ve worked so hard that I proved I was valuable to my company while also showing my loyalty.” Suddenly, they find themselves on the job market after a successful 20 year career in the same company. Yikes.

No matter what your age is, you can remain competitive. It’s about attitude. It’s about understanding that nothing is constant but change. The only thing you really know about tomorrow, is that one day, you will die. This new mindset is about adaptation, being humble, saying to yourself, even though I was a people manager or director in the past, today, the company needs me to be use my analytical skills to control budgets. Lower your expectations about where you must be and that you constantly have to gain a bigger salary and grow with a more important title.

In fact, you can use your skills in people management and leadership without being called one.

Make sure that your objective statement in your CV reflects what the company needs today. Do not use a rote title like, “I’m a proven people manager or program director” when the job required is “increase market share in Asia”. Here you want to highlight skills that you have in people management and program management towards business development. For example, “define budgets with key stakeholders, increase potential business driving on-line communication strategy, research and present to project board key trends doing business in Asia.”

Network. You may think that you have enough connections and are well recognised in your domain. However, you can never network enough. And, it’s important to consider networking with those that are younger than you. They have important connections and ideas too.

Keep a learning posture. Continue to sharpen up your skills toolbox. Get additional training as necessary to make sure that you are up to date with current trends in business. And get out of your comfort zone…it’s here where you will grow and have fun again like you did building your career in your late 20’s.