CAREERS NOW 07-23-08

Ten Career Mistakes For Boomers

DEAR JOYCE: At 61 I realize that my retirement funds aren't going to last and I now plan to keep working for another decade. I'm not sure how I feel about that prospect. Before I reorganize my life to adapt to my new future, do you have suggestions? - T.A.Y.

When you want or need to turn autumn into spring in your career, here are 10 mistakes to avoid.

Work at something you can barely tolerate. Studies show that merely keeping busy is not the key to successful aging we once thought. "Enjoyment" is the ingredient earlier literature missed. If a job makes you overly stressed, depressed or ill, find a new one.

Don't do your personal best. Merely sliding by and hanging on insults your self-esteem. Continuing to excel not only enhances your employability but makes you feel as though you're still earning your spot in the universe. As you work your hours, aim for positive results you can measure as you solve problems and find better ways to do your job.

Become an invisible person. Make sure others know about your superior accomplishments. When you're a white-collar person, tools to use include office memos, professional organization activities and contributions to professional media - newsletters, trade journals, Internet forums, blogs, and business networking sites such as LinkedIn. When you're a blue-collar person reporting regularly to your boss is a start; think about other visibility opportunities available to someone in your function or field.

Disconnect from the outside world. If you're not already a master online networker, make an effort to become one. A personal network is a career insurance policy you still need. Don't know how? Try a friend, community college class, teenager, paid tutor or - dare I say it? - senior citizen center.

Skip working at skills expansion. School days aren't behind you. Your new information doesn't have to be formally acquired but it must be instructive and useful. Ongoing learning shows your willingness to meet the workplace's demand for greater individual accountability and you're not over the hill. When a professional credential is valuable in your line of work, go for it.

Fail to know your value. Resolve to remain aware of your market value to avoid selling your qualifications too cheaply, especially in shifting economic times. Keep track of your accomplishments - yes, write them down - and monitor salary scales in your function, industry and locale. You can get clues on free online services such as payscale.com and salary.com. Finding out about pay ranges in your company? Not so easy because of salary secret policies and culture; Google "Why Do You Keep Your Salary Secret?"

Put up with a demeaning boss. Life is too short to work for a manager who does not treat you fairly and with respect. When you cannot work productively with your boss, it's resume time.

Paint yourself into conflict corners with coworkers. Why allow fighting with coworkers to leave you feeling unhappy but trapped? Solve your problem. Proactively seek conflict-management guidance in books or online. Learn to bridge differences in such a way that all parties can continue to work productively together. Carry personality issues to management only as a last resort to avoid being tagged with the negative branding of "disgruntled employee."

Don't roll with the punches. Economics change. Conditions change. Company policies change. If your employer says the rising cost of fuel requires four 10-hour days per week, agree or negotiate a different schedule. If your employer says to take a train rather than a plane for a business trip, agree or have a business-negative reason for objecting.

Ignore advances in job search techniques. How you find a job has changed in the last 10 years. Visit bookstores to pick up guides that bring you up to date. No way should you remain stuck in a job you no longer want merely because you don't understand how to get to a better place.

Viva Boomers!

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