At the end of the day job seeking is still an individual pursuit
➔ There is a lot of truth in the admonition that says you should involve as many people as you can in your job search. The good news is that, at age 50+, you’ve been around long enough to get to know bunches of people.
You need people at every step along the way: former co-workers, vendors, colleagues, recruiters, relatives, friends and spouses – especially don’t forget to involve your spouse. Then you have all the “new” friends that you’ve met through networking events, job groups, etc.
The more the merrier
Because you never know who will hold the key to your next position. If not the person you know, it’s the person whom that person knows. They’re all part of the tangled web you weave. While all that is true, at the end of the day, when you get right down to it, searching for a job – at any age, at any stage of life – is still an individual activity.
Only you know which people will be most helpful. Only you will know your “stories” and anecdotes that will help you to win the day in a job interview. Only you will know which job search activities work for you. Only you will know which job opportunities are best suited for your particular set of skills and which are most appealing to you. Only you will know which combination of salary and benefits will be acceptable. Only you will know when to say “yes” to a job offer, and when to pass. Only you.
And don’t con yourself into thinking that the government, or some government program is going to find you a job. The best that they can hope to do is help. Just like everyone else.
It’s your job search. It’s your career. It’s your life. It’s your future.
All those people will help – some more than others. But all that they can do is help. Ultimately it’s all up to you.
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