Creating an Electronic Portfolio and Learning New Tools
Q:
I’m hoping you can give me a suggestion or two for targeting my current employment search.
I’m a 55 year-old boomer (with GenX tendencies) with a masters degree in engineering, and quite a number of years of consulting experience, mainly in telecom and IT. I enjoyed my choice of projects, for the most part, from 1991 through 2001. Because of rapid changes in the global economy and technology, I have been increasingly running into what seem to be a pattern of roadblocks to gainful employment. For instance, many of the job opportunities I’m interested in now seem to require electronic portfolios or samples, and/or a variety of development tools which I have yet to learn. Moreover, job designs have changed drastically. In addition, since almost all of my work samples are not of the online variety, I can’t seem to get past the recruiter, gatekeeper, or the first phone interview. I suspect that there are generational forces at work, as it seems many of these first contacts are with Gen Xers who don’t seem to understand what I can bring to their organizations. I am willing to make changes to get a different result. Should I get some coaching and support to create an electronic portfolio that can compete in today’s marketplace? If I do invest the required time and effort, how can I be sure that I will be seriously considered? It’s clear to me that in many instances I’m competing with, or looking to be hired by, Gen Xers who may not see the potential that I see. Should I take a different approach altogether, and if so, what should that approach be? Am I looking in the right places? How can I increase my chances of success? I appreciate any suggestions.
PS: I don’t plan on retiring, ever. I am extremely intelligent, focused, productive, and motivated. That’s part of why this experience is so very frustrating for me, in contrast with much of my prior work history.
Josephine
A:
Hi Josephine,
I’m really sorry to hear that your experience has been frustrating. It’s wonderful to find a field that you can pursue with such passion as you clearly feel for your area of work.
Should you create an electronic portfolio? Unequivocally, yes. If that is the way business is now being done in your industry, you must keep pace—or even be a bit out ahead. You should not only catch up, but make sure you’re pushing pretty close to the front of the pack in terms of your technical sophistication and understanding of the latest development tools. I’d be cautious about attributing your frustrating to a generational difference—it may come into play, but it is much more likely that they’re gravitating to candidates with more up-to-date skill.
Good luck—I hope you’re soon back doing the work you love.
Best wishes,
Tammy
