Here is a fantastic job search success story from Eleanor, who got a job she is very excited about in a whole new industry as an ‘Over 50’ white-haired job seeker. Read her story to see how she did it.
In Eleanor’s story she mentions TAC, which is Career Confidential’s Total Access Club, and the 30-60-90-Day Plan, which comes FREE with TAC membership.
Hi Peggy and Carl,
I have some great news!
Last Thursday I wasn’t on the [TAC] call because I was at my second interview—a lunch with my prospective team. My first interview had been with the company president and operations head. Time constraints prevented me from presenting my 30 60 90 Day Action Plan, so in my thank you email, I mentioned wishing we had had more time because I would have loved their feedback on the Plan I wasn’t able to present. The operations head instead asked me to present it at my second interview with the entire team….Got some really good feedback from the team during my presentation, fleshing some of it out. I was taking notes.
There was a team meeting Thursday afternoon. The President saw the plan at that point, and was apparently even happier that he had already given me a thumbs up. By the end of day I had the job offer. I start tomorrow.
As you may remember, I am well over 50 and have white hair (since I was 30!!)…I have been in nonprofit fundraising for quite a while. I am no longer. Hallelujah! …
My new position (75% FT—30 hours a week in my new world) is as Client Services Manager for a startup firm that has a great client feedback tool that allows businesses to send a short (6-8 questions) survey to clients at certain touchpoints in a project…After enough surveys have been sent and completed, there are reports that indicate long-term trends that can help companies make some really good decisions in terms of best practices, assigning personnel to projects, etc. The company has grown to a point where they really need someone to make sure clients are well-cared for, and implementation of the client feedback process for them is managed well. That would be me.
They liked the 30 60 90 Day Plan so much, it looks as though I will be doing 30 60 90 Day Implementation Plans and having a PP presentation for each client so we all stay on track!
I have learned so much from both of you as a member of TAC. Because this is a huge industry shift for me, I was grilled both by the president and my team, and was able to effectively answer in a way that showed them I am a good fit for the job. I usually do interview well, but some of the things I’ve heard over these many months gave me both language and perspective I didn’t have before.
The parent company has been recognized as one of the best small businesses to work for in the country! The two companies share the same president. The President actually told me in my first interview that most architects don’t hit the right stride in their company until they are 60, which told me upfront that they value maturity and experience. You kept saying, Peggy, to look at the small companies [as an older job seeker]. I can say “Amen” to that.
And because of your teaching us how to sell ourselves, I actually have language to speak with and understand our Sales person. He and I will be working very closely together, so I have one less thing to learn. Helpful since I need to learn an entire industry!
Thank you so-o-o much for everything that you offer. And for the great interaction between the two of you, and for your honesty in all your presentations and how you answer questions. I have really enjoyed what has been a difficult time in some ways.
Count me as another success story.
Eleanor M.
Get the job you want (even in a brand-new industry) with Total Access Club!