How so:

• 40 is the old 50: Back in the day, people in their 50′s used to find employment difficult. My research has indicated that the threshold has moved to 40′s. So, for me just tipped into his 50′s, I get to face a bigger challenge.
• Don’t think that your old paycheck is going to be your new paycheck:  For anyone that thinks that they are going to see more (or even about the same), you better check your expectations at the door. I met a few folks in my networking that complained that they were offered positions that were $20K less than they made doing exactly the same thing they were doing at their last place of employment. I never thought that I would be making the same amount of money I was, that would be expecting too much. I do expect to get a fair wage for the work that I am going to be asked to do. Nothing more! I have done the research on-line  and feel comfortable with the salary expectations that I will likely see.
• Experience is key: I have had a diverse background within those 28 years, but even that sometimes excludes me from working in a different industry than before. Since I was in corporate America, I am less likely to get a social sector job. Since I was in manufacturing of semi-conductors, I am less likely to get a manufacturing job in pharmaceuticals. Since I was have management experience in information technology, I am less likely to get a management position in call centers, warehouse operations or logistics. I know this from the simple email back on my resume, “you don’t have experience in XXX.” I did not have experience in those areas before I started either.. I can learn, I can take the experiences that I do have and apply and adapt. I am a bright and capable person.
• There is a black hole in cyberspace: No matter how many times you apply there will be times that you just will not  get an answer. I am not sure that the job application and submittal system the companies are using work as they should. Since most have some sort of automated system, you would think you would get a message that informs you of status. Have your application, reviewing your application and rejecting application. I have seen the received message from many of the applications I have submitted. After that, well, what for it; nothing.

So, what to do:

• Get out and make contact with hiring companies: Linkedin does a pretty good job of contacting your network to job openings. They even have recommendations for who in your network that can potential help with the hiring manager. I have done a little digging and have been able to actually reach out and touch folks. The are so many social tools that can help you. Some would say this seems like stalking, not if you do it right. Reaching out in a professional manner about potential openings or even openings that you have seen could help you get passed the black hole.
• Don’t act your age: Stereotypes are out there for a reason, well most of the time. If you are older, than don’t act older. Have the energy and drive that the hiring folks are looking for. Get formal with the new social tools and network. Don’t think that they will come to you. You have to want it! I have heard from some of my friends my age that it is tough out there, those younger job applicants are stealing all the jobs. Well, if you want to beat them, than you better act like them (and you have one better – you have the experience to back it up).

I have been fortunate enough to get passed the black hole a few times. I have been called for interviews! Nothing sounds better than hearing a voice on the other end, ask you if you would like to come in an interview for the position you have applied for. You pretty much walk on the clouds after that call. Reality starts to set in.. Time to get prepared. Clothes all dry cleaned? Haircut? Research the position? Company? Get your questions in order? Get prepared! The last couple of times, I have made it to the short-list of candidates (more interviews). Then you sit and wait for a decision to be made and hopefully in your favor. I still have not gotten that message that says – “Congrats – we would like to hire you.” I will keep on trying.

• As many know, I decided to have a total hip replacement on my right side on my birthday. Nice present to give yourself. Everyone had fun on Facebook and Twitter with that one. I am so thankful that I have folks around me that keep my spirits high during something like that. My family was completely awesome! To update everyone – I am doing very well. It has been a little over two weeks and I am moving around quite well. Just waiting for my okay to drive.
• Az4Education is moving ahead full stream. Been busy working to increase visibility and get the word out. We have seen an increase of tax deductible donations. Of course, we would like to see some more. Non-profits are definitely feeling the effect of the economy. We have seen a huge increase in scholarship requests. Our organization would love to give more.. We just need more to give.
• Took a short break from searching for my “second career” because of the hip replacement. Hip replacement is going well, now it is time to restart that search. I was able to find three positions to apply for. One of them has already scheduled an interview. Still getting positive vibes from applying. Hopefully, I will find that position within a company that fits the both of us. I have so much to give and yet some much to learn.
• I am still volunteering with Valley of the Sun Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
• Continuing to be a community member within the Haley Elementary site council. We are focusing on making the community around the school to be the strongest in the district. For my part, I am helping them with using social media to get their message out. This gives me the opportunity to learn and try stuff.
• Had some interviews with Experience Matters. They just kicked off the very first set of folks that are helping non-profits. Even though I was not selected in the first round, I hope to hear a more positive response when the next group is selected. Giving back is very important to me.

Time is what you make of it. My time over the past month’s has been a bit fragmented. Since my health is in order, it is time to get focused and serious again. Time for me to be all in. Getting out and about…

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Updates:

• There has been little change to my overall “second” career. I have applied to a couple of positions that I feel fit my interest and passions but have not heard back from any of them. I have had a couple of positions that have reached out to me via resume reviews. Those opportunities (some good, some not so good) are something that I know I could do, but really don’t fit what I want to do with my “second” career. So, instead of wasting time – passed on those. I hope that I am not being too picky, but selective enough to make sure that I will be happy and successful. The one big disappointment in all of this is the total lack of communications on the hiring side. You get the automated message – “we got your stuff” and after that – the black hole. If you have hired, some automated message would be great back saying – done. Makes me not want to work for any company that does not treat people better than that. I know there are probably thousands of resumes sent in on any job, but not communicating back – seems like a missed opportunity.
• I am still doing some volunteer work. I have already accepted a director position with AZ4Education. I will be helping out with marketing, scholarship fund raising and awarding scholarships to needed students. I also am helping one of the elementary schools navigate their way through social media. Haley Elementary was given the okay by the district to go ahead and jump into Facebook and such. So, I am helping the principal and administrative staff with getting this kicked off. I am waiting for the final acceptance on the fingerprinting in order to help out with Valley Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Should happen soon!
• Lastly, from those that follow my twitter @stevebellnow – you all know that I had some minor surgery to my knee. Torn meniscus needed some clean up! I don’t have any great story on how it happened, sorry. I just completed my first week after surgery and have to say that everything is going well.

I think that monthly will continue to be the cadence for updates… Until my “second” career begins. Then I can really start to share some great stuff. Thanks for reading…

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When I think of social media tools and capabilities for the enterprise, I am thinking about better communication and collaboration capabilities. What are the important factors that your enterprise is trying to accomplish? Global company trying to improve collaboration within the team? Knowledge capture and management? Better communications? Finding experts? Cool new tools that others are using? What is it that makes you want to change what you are doing today? Get your answer(s)… Since this is not “new” anymore – there is plenty of information (and suppliers) to help.

Here are the items that I believe need to be done to make this transition successful…

• Pull in your HR, IT and business unit teams to spend the right amount of time drafting and finalizing your social media policies. Nothing worse than going down to the path of implementation and then being hit with the IT Security or HR policies roadblocks. They are there – just include them right off the bat.
• Make sure that you are looking at tools and capabilities that integrate together. Don’t be looking for another stand alone solution. Of course, don’t be looking at that potential one-size fits all model either. Look for a platform that you can build on. You can add “best in class” solutions or the platform supplier does. Either way – you win!
• Gauge how supportive your senior management team is with this endeavor. Are they receptive to changing how things get done? Do they feel okay with more challenging of the status quo? How thick is their skin? How about the ROI monkey? Leaders are supposed to removed roadblocks, but sometimes they like to leave the speed bumps in.
• Start small and move fast. Goes back to an earlier comment. Don’t try to find the one-size fits all. Making a huge change will not go over well. Start small, start with the capabilities that are most often lacking (by listening to the user base). Get that in, make it work, make it fit within the normal workflow and go fast.
• Take advantage of the “evangelists!” You know, the folks that jump at a chance to use “new” capabilities, that adopt early and really see how to make things work. Get them from the individual departments to help train and communicate success.
• Stay your course. It is too easy to get distracted by upper management, a shiny “new” capability or feel progress is moving slower than you want. Once more people get into using and adopting these tools the better off your company will be – you will see.

I know this is not new to many folks… Those folks and I have had plenty of war-story discussions together. I felt like I had to take that interview question and writing it down – As I thought I gave a pretty good (not 100% – did not mention suppliers) complete answer.

What have I done so far:

• Dusted off the old resume and updated it! Since I was employed for over 28 years – I needed to start from scratch. Not like the old school resumes are going to work in today’s environment. I went out and purchased a couple of recommended reading books.
• Posted my resume on a couple of the job boards (Ladders, Monster, CareerBuilder). I have noticed an increase in my email SPAM. So, I set up a new inbox for all job related items! Two weeks into this, I have gotten a lot of emails for insurance jobs and a few franchise opportunity emails.
• Updated LinkedIn… As soon as I put an update that I retired, the notices from my network came flying in.
• Set up a few searches on the job boards to help me narrow down my searches. I couple of them have already sent me weekly updates with jobs that I maybe interested in. Nice! Well, maybe not. So far, I am not overly impressed with what they recommend for me.
• Got some personal business cards at the ready. Never know when you could run into someone that could help you out. Can’t use my old Intel ones.. My email was turned off the day I left.

Next steps:

• I am still trying to figure out what I really want to do for my second career. I do know that I am looking for something that will be about 10 years in length. Something that covers to the two passions that I really get me going. The first is managing and leading teams – I have had a blast doing this for almost 27 years. I want to continue that! The other area is in the social media space. I really enjoyed my time implementing internal social media for a large enterprise. Being that workplace evangelist would be so much fun! This time around, I really want to make a difference.
  • Was thinking that maybe I could take my leadership abilities to a non-profit that deals with children (that has a need for someone with a social media passion) and make a difference!
• Need to set up more networking opportunities. I have a circle of folks that really are good at networking. I have to take advantage of their skills and improve upon mine. I usually am not a wallflower – but when I get in those networking settings, I like to watch people first. Get a lay of the land before jumping in. Have to stop that!
• Continue to learn how to find a job in today’s market. I guess I have a lot to learn (and hopefully share).
• Start getting interview opportunities – It has been quite awhile since I have really truly interviewed for a job. I usually am on the other side with the questions. Need to practice a bit..

I know there is much more that I should be doing.. Maybe a few of you can share what you have done.. I really am looking forward to seeing if anyone out there is looking for a slightly used but still has lots to give employee. I have lots of experience and love to learn… I hope to write weekly (or so – depending on what all is happening) about this new journey.. Maybe we all can take this ride together…

Thoughts?