How to Write a Resume When You are Older and Not Retiring

Individually you: Tips for baby boomers on how to write a resume

Baby boomers are in a whole other category with respect to employment. You are older, but not retired. You may no longer have your old job, but you are not even thinking of retirement yet. You may be job hunting for any number of other reasons, like extra income. Perhaps you have not written a resume for many years and at this time in your life, you don't know where to start.

Guess what! A lot of baby boomers are in the same predicament.

Here are some tips to follow:

What is a resume?

First, a resume is not intended to be your autobiography, although it may include autobiographical information about you, your education, training, job skills, employment and interests. It is a document you are preparing to submit to a prospective employer with respect to obtaining employment.

Remember that your resume is individually you and your unique marketing tool.

What should be included in a resume?

A resume consists of two parts. The first part is your cover letter and the second part will include pertinent information about your education, employment experience and other interests.

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is your letter of introduction to a prospective new employer.

What should be included in a cover letter?

Your cover letter should include your name, address and telephone number, as this identifies you immediately and shows your potential employer how to contact you. If you can add an e-mail address and a URL for your own personal website, that will be to your advantage. In this era, potential employers prefer to have resumes submitted by e-mail and may prefer to contact you by e-mail.

Why should an employer hire you?

Ask yourself this question and include your answer in one or two sentences or a short paragraph, in your cover letter. Include technical and generic skills like analytic and problem solving skills, motivational skills or time management skills and leadership ability.

How does one begin to construct or write the second part of the resume?

The easiest way to begin this part of your resume is to make a working copy first. Use three separate pages and list your education and training on one page, your employment experience on another page and your other interests on the third page. List these in reverse chronological order.

Now condense all of this to one or two pages, at the most.

Your education or training, employment experience and other interests should consist of that which pertains only to the last ten to twelve years, although you may have compiled pages of other information. Condense other prior information into one or two short paragraphs.

Focus on your personal skills and strengths in different areas of education, employment and other interests. List any special skills like computer, certificates obtained, ability to speak or write in other languages, major achievements, awards and volunteer work.

It is a good idea to have contact information or professional references available, as these may be required. While it is not always necessary to submit this information immediately, you might state that references are available upon request.

Note that it not necessary to include either your social security number, or your date of birth.

Make certain that your resume is well organized and printed out on good quality paper. An error free resume will make a better impression.

Keep a copy of your resume and a record of any place that you have submitted it, with dates and results. It will make your job search easier.

Good luck and remember that baby boomers everywhere will be job hunting in the near future!

Tips for Starting a Small Business

The entrepreneurial spirit: Tips for baby boomers starting a small business

There are endless opportunities for you, as a baby boomer, if you are thinking about starting a small business. It may be just a matter of putting your entrepreneurial spirit to work.

As a baby boomer, consider some of the following tips:

Perhaps you have been tossing around ideas about a small business venture for years and years. Maybe you have never acted upon any of them. Begin by doing serious research at a library, bookstore or on the Internet. Ask yourself if your ideas are realistic or feasible now, in the light of what you have learned. Consider the reality that there might be better or more viable options, at this time, as we live in a rapidly changing world.

Look at the things that you are passionate about. If you select something that you and your family love to do or are spending time doing already, it might be possible to turn that into an enjoyable way of working independently and earning extra dollars. Perhaps it is just a matter of getting organized, in such a way that is does become an actual small business.

Examine your finances realistically and decide how much money you and your family want to or can afford to invest. A small business can be almost any size. It may take a small investment or a larger amount of money for the initial start up costs.

Find a location that you consider appropriate for the kind of business that you want to start. Look seriously at the costs involved including heat, hydro, water, telephone, Internet and taxes. Consider whether you will be able to afford that location. If not, look at the possibility of using another one or working from home. Setting up an Excel spreadsheet is one way to examine costs, on a long term basis.

Find out if there are similar small businesses in the area that you have chosen. Are they doing the same thing? If your small business is the first in an area, you may capture the market for the product that you are planning on marketing. If there are dozen places offering the same product, it may not be a good investment for you, at this time. You may want to find something that is more feasible.

Consider how much time you want to invest in your small business, because time is money, in many ways. If the new, small business ties up all of your time, with a minimal reward in terms of dollars and cents, it might be spent more wisely doing something else. You may decide to channel your energy into another small business that does not require all of your time. Remember that when you have family and friends, they will place demands your time, too. They will be more likely to be supportive of your small business, if they can see that you are including them.

Taking on a small business may present a health risk for you, as a baby boomer.

Remember that your physical stamina may be less than it was, when you were younger. You may require rest or time off. Talk to your doctor and see what his or her recommendations are in this respect. Remember that there are many small businesses that you can operate on your own time. Creating a schedule that works for you health wise is one of the joys of becoming self employed, as a small business owner.

Insurance is an important factor in terms of starting up a small business, particularly if there is an investment in property or products. Do research on the topic of insurance coverage for your small business. Talk to an insurance agent. Look at health coverage and life insurance. Doing comparative shopping with respect to insurance rates, is always a good idea.

Find out how to register your small business properly, as there may be registration fees and various licenses required. Some kinds of small business franchising operations will do this for you, but if you are striking out independently, this is your responsibility. Find out how much it will cost. There will be guidelines, rules and regulations that will have to be adhered to, with respect to your small business operation.

Calculate your initial office costs and potential operating costs carefully, because while you may have the start up costs factored in, there may be additional ongoing operating costs that must be considered. It may take a while to make an actual profit, so you need to consider your cost of living in the meantime, particularly if this is going to be your only source of income. As a baby boomer, you might be receiving a pension that you can live on during the start up period.

Ask yourself how you plan to advertise your business. Do research into the cost of advertising. Remember that word of mouth is the best kind of advertising. Consider and compare the costs of flyers, newspaper ads and internet advertising.

Draw up a business plan and contact a bookkeeper and an accountant for their advice. They will be able to help you to set up your business properly, right from the start. This can save you headaches, at a later date.

There are probably many other tips that you may be able to add to this list.

If you think positively and expect to succeed, you will. Good luck with your new baby boomer small business venture.

The Best Part of Owning Your Own Business

Tips for baby boomers on the best part of owning your own business

What is your passion? That is the best part of owning your own business

When you are truly passionate about doing something, it is no longer work. It becomes a unique challenge that is exciting, interesting and fun for you! Taking something that you love to do and turning it into an actual business, can be a fantastic experience for you. Every person should have a chance to do something like this, in his or her lifetime.

How do you know what you are passionate about?

Answer some of these questions honestly and you may have found the answer.

What is there, in all of the things you do that really brightens up your day?

What do you never get tired of doing, no matter how much effort or energy, you have to put into doing it?

What is the first thing that you think about when you get up in the morning and the last thing that you think about at night?

What do you really love to talk to your friends about?

What makes you smile the most?

What makes you the happiest?

What is the one thing that you would give up almost anything to be able to do, full time, instead of working at another job?

What do dream about doing when you retire? (You may not have to wait until retirement to do it! You may be able to start doing it immediately.)

What are you secretly setting aside money for?

Is this something that you might be able to do now, as an independent business owner?

Is there some way that you can turn what you love to do the most in your life, into your full time job? Can you do it in such a way that the business is one that you own and operate independently?

If you can pinpoint something like this in your life and figure out how to turn it into a business, you may have just found your passion or the best part of owning your own business.

There is a great deal of personal satisfaction in being able to do something that you love doing. Part of the reason for this is the sense of accomplishment that you feel when you succeed in your own personal challenge.

For many people, a job is a means to an end. That end is often what a person is the most passionate about. Your current employment may not be something that excites you or even challenges you. Your passion is exactly that.

There are other perks that you will find along the way. Add these to what you are the most passionate about.

You are your own boss.
No one else will be telling you what to do, when, or where to do it.
You can make your own schedule and set your own hours.
You can take time off when you want to do so.
You choose what to do with your money.
You no longer have to punch a time clock.
You can pay yourself whatever you think you are worth.
You have added benefits because you are your own boss.
You are the one that takes home the profits. 
You have the full responsibility.

Remember that you are the one who is going to promote your business, in a better and more realistic way than anyone else can. You will be able to make your own decisions and you will not have to question the integrity of others.

No one ever said that owning your own business was going to be easy, but it becomes easier when you find yourself reaching your own goals and fulfilling your passion in life. Think about it and look into it seriously. You will be glad that you did.

Follow your dream, but dream big first!

How to Write a Resume When Changing Careers

Resume writing tips for baby boomers changing careers

Thousands of people, including baby boomers will be changing their careers in the near future. You may be one of them. One of the major questions that you may have is how to write a resume, when you are planning a change in your career. For some baby boomers, this may not be easy.

Changing your career can be a major shock to your system. Sometimes, this is something that is unexpected or not anticipated. If you have been planning a career change, that is one thing, but when you have to start from scratch to find a new career, it is not as easy. Writing a resume can be frightening.

Look at any career change realistically. No one has ever said that you can only have one career or just one job in your lifetime or that you cannot change your career, at any time in your life, if you wish to do so. That will take pressure off the question of how to write a resume.

A resume consists of two parts.

The first part of your resume is the cover letter.

The cover letter introduces you to your prospective employer. It gives him or her, the necessary information that identifies you and provides your contact information. You do not need to include your social security number or your date of birth. Being aware of this will make it easier for you to write a resume.

What you do need to include in your cover letter is your name, address and telephone number. Adding your e-mail address will allow your prospective employer to contact you immediately.

If you have a web site, include the address(URL). In our era, the majority of resumes are submitted by e-mail. There are employers who prefer to receive a resume in the mail or having a job application dropped off in person.

Make certain when you are preparing your cover letter, that you know what the potential employer expects. The format you use for your cover letter may be different from one you might submit in the mail.

Writing one or two lines in your cover letter about why your potential employer should hire you, can work to your advantage. 

The second part of your resume contains your academic and employment history, as well as other areas of interest. List these in reverse chronological order with the most recent education and employment experience first..

Your resume is about you. It does not need to be the story of your whole life. Include information from the last ten to twelve years, focusing on the areas in education and your previous employment history that are relevant to the job for which you are placing the application. Include your current interests, not ones that were important to you years ago. What are you doing now?

Remember to include special skills, certificates and awards that you have received.

This may be an entirely new career for you, but you can draw from your past experiences in terms of skills that you have previously acquired.

How about your new skills? Have you learned new computer skills? Do you know how to use a printer, scanner and fax machine? How about a video or digital camera?

In the past, have you learned to relate to people in terms of customer relations work of some kind? Include this information, if you are aware that the new job will be one where as a new employee, you will deal with people. People skills are important and baby boomers can relate well to people.

Have you had recent training or done upgrading in an area of interest? This might be exactly what your prospective new employer is looking for in a new employee.

Have you had leadership or motivational skills training? This may be something needed by an employer. Many times employers are too busy to be active leaders. You may have experience in an unrelated area, but if you are leader, that will look good on your resume and your application will likely be considered.

Remember that many times, someone who is a baby boomer can be an asset to an employer, particularly where there are young employees. Do you interact well with younger people? Include that information, too.

Do not let a negative response from any prospective employer frighten or intimidate you. If you receive a rejection, do not let that upset you either. Just apply somewhere else.

You may receive a positive response from a prospective employer by e-mail, telephone or mail. You will be asked to book an appointment for an interview. Those are appropriate responses to a job application.

Not all employers are looking for people in the baby boomer age bracket. Do not be alarmed or upset, if you are turned down because you are a baby boomer. Employers know what they are looking for in a new employee.

Many times, jobs demand young people with high energy levels. Other times, employers are seeking young people to train, because they realize that the baby boomers may retire within a few years. Then, they have to train someone else. Remember that there are other jobs baby boomers can do.

Is the new career or job that you are considering, one that is going to be physically demanding? Before you place an application for this kind of a job, make certain that you will be able to do the kind of work required. You might consult your own physician first, as to whether this is the right career choice for you or if you should be applying for this kind of work. Other kinds of employment might be more appropriate.

One of the ways to get a new job, as a baby boomer is to find a course that includes training and placement. If you have already done that, make certain that the information is included in your resume.

You will need letters of reference, although these do not need to be included in your resume when it is submitted.

Make certain that your resume is interesting to read, well typed and printed on good quality paper.

E-mail your resume, drop it off, apply in person or go for an interview, but with a happy face. As long as you have reasonable qualifications, you can expect to be hired. It may take more than one application, but keep trying regardless of the response.

Writing a Business Plan for Start Ups

Baby boomers and big dreams

All right! So you are a baby boomer with a big dream. A dream like this is just the beginning. As a baby boomer, with an entrepreneurial spirit and wonderful ideas, you have decided that you want to start up a brand new business and you don't quite know where or how to start.

Begin with your dream! Remember that baby boomers dreams, like everyone else's, have to get beyond the dream stage, in order for the dream to turn into a reality.

First, put your start up ideas down on paper. Don't worry if they are not fully thought out yet or if you have not organized them. Writing down everything first, will help you to focus on what you want to do. Recognize that at this stage, your dream is starting to turn into a reality. If you act on it, at some point in time, it will progress further and become an actual business.

Perhaps you, as a baby boomer have never written a business plan.

In that case, these questions and answers may be of help to you.

What is a business plan?

A business plan is a written summary about your business proposal. It will include your dream, your ideas about how you propose to start up and operate your new business, as well as basic financial data.

Why do you need a business plan?

Having a business plan will help you clarify what you are trying to do. It will also be of benefit to you, if there is a need for financing. You will be able to present your business plan to a bank or a lending institution, in order to obtain financing.

How do you write a business plan?

Beginning a new business can be difficult and more complicated than you realize, but every business has to start somewhere. It is easier to organize a business and prepare a business plan, if you start small and allow room for future growth and development. One way to do this is to set different stages of growth for your business.

Begin with stage 1 and the basic essentials.

What should be included in a start up business plan at stage 1?

No two start up business plans are going to be the same, nor do they need to be. Your new baby boomer start up business might be something that is unique.

These are basic questions that you can answer, with respect to writing your business plan.

What is your vision or in other words, what is your dream? What are your ideas? How did these come about? What is the background for this start up business?

What are you planning on doing or trying to accomplish with your new business? Why are you starting up a new business, at this particular time or in this specific place? What is the proposed geographical radius of your business outreach, ie. local, national or international? Where do you plan to operate your business? Is it going to be a home based business or do you have another location in mind?

What role will you assume in the business? Will you be the owner or proprietor? How will the management be organized? Are you able to provide a profile for yourself and potential new executives? Have you researched their backgrounds? Have they had security checks done? Who else will become involved in your new business, as employees? If others will be involved, how many others will there be and in what capacity will they function?

Do you have a potential product or service description? What need do you feel that your upstart business is going to be able to meet and why? What is your marketing strategy or plan? Have you researched the market thoroughly? Is there a demand for your product or service?

How will your new business be structured internally, now and later? How will the business operate on a day-to-day basis? How will revenue be generated now, in six months, one year, five years or ten years?

What is the name your new upstart business will be operating under? Why have you chosen that name or why is it significant? Have you researched that name with respect to registering your business? Is that name available for registration or for use on the Internet? Have you registered your business?

Have you designed a logo for your business? How will you be using it? Has it been registered for your exclusive usage? What is the cost involved?

How much capital is going to be required in terms of actual start up costs? Have you included your rent, heat, hydro, telephone, office equipment and supplies and other initial, equipment expenditures like computers, printers and fax machines? How much money are you able to put into the business and how much other financial support, do you need from somewhere else? Why do you feel that your new business is worthy of support?

How do you plan to advertise, for example, by word of mouth, radio, television, or the Internet? What is the anticipated cost? Have you looked into the cost of setting up a website for your upstart business? How about Internet fees?

What are your short and long term goals?

Do you have an exit strategy (operate x number of years, put business up for sale at a profit, etc.)

Be aware that this is only the beginning of your upstart business and your business plan may change to some extent, as your business grows. You may consult a bookkeeper or an accountant with respect to setting up the financial part of your business. This may include cash flow, profit and loss balance statements and income statements. You may also want to include a three year financial projection, if you are seeking financing.

There are many sample business plans that you may be able to find in your library, bookstore or on the Internet. Many of these can be printed as templates, where you fill in the information needed. Many lending institutions offer their own templates.

After you have drawn up your business plan, present it to a tentative lending institution. They may suggest changes or advise you to seek financing, on a different level.

Remember if your dream is a good dream and one that it is realistic, it may prove to be worth pursuing. 

Good luck with your new start up, baby boomer business!

How to Write a Resume When You Have a Couple of Different Job Targets

Resume writing tips for baby boomers: You have different job targets?

It is a good idea for you as a baby boomer seeking employment to learn how to write an appropriate resume, when you have a couple of different job targets.

The baby boomer resume writing business is currently booming. Why is that? Many baby boomers, like you, are starting to look for new and different jobs. Guess what! The number is going to increase rapidly, in the near future.

Perhaps you don't know how to write a resume? When was the last time that you had to write one? There are many baby boomers who are trying to write resumes, with several, different job targets in mind, for a variety of reasons.

Ask yourself the following questions:

Are you tired of your previous job?

Do you want to do something different?

Maybe you have no real idea what you want to do or can do, other than the one job that you have done, forever and a day.

Writing a resume when you have only one job target is easy. All you need to do is to include what pertains to that specific job. When you have couple of different job targets, it becomes more complex. How do you know what to include in your resume and what to omit?

Baby boomers are in a unique situation.

You may have been on one job ever since you started to work, as a teenager. Perhaps you have never had to look for another job. Of course, this is not always the case. Some jobs are no longer appropriate due to computerization or the need for more advanced skills and training. Maybe your previous job is obsolete. 

Perhaps you have physical limitations.

So what will you need to do, as a baby boomer seeking employment?

First, ask yourself what are possible job targets. Maybe you are being forced out of the only job that you have ever known. Perhaps that job no longer exists, for whatever reason. What are you going to do?

Consider other employment options.

Here are important aspects of resume writing to consider when you have a couple of different job targets:

Setting objectives with respect to employment options:

Ask yourself what is the primary objective of your job search? Are you seeking long term employment? Probably not, at this time. Of course, that depends on how you interpret the expression long term. More than likely you are looking for a semi-retirement job of some kind or something that will carry you until you are able to take full retirement. Maybe you want to continue to work after you are officially declared a senior citizen. For many baby boomers, that is not too far away.

Take a moment and write down the primary objective of your job search and then, condense it. Is it something for you to do to fill in time? Does it have to do with advancing your current skills? Are you more interested in learning to do something that you always wanted to do? Is it a way of making extra cash, for the moment? What your objectives are will have a lot to do with how you write your baby boomer resume.

Ask yourself whether you are seeking full time or part time employment. Make a list of jobs that you feel would be appropriate. There may be only a few. Do research and look at what you think you may want to do, are physically able to do or are willing to do.

Be aware that your social security numbers and date of birth are not obligatory on a resume. There is no way to hide your age, as when you do all of the paperwork for a new job, your information will go on your employment record. You are not trying to hide it, but you do want to get hired. Age may or may not be the most important issue.

What are your job expectations?

Making a summary of your previous experience:

Take time to summarize your previous experience carefully, because there is no way that a potential employer will read fifteen pages of past history. What he or she wants to know is whether you are qualified to take on a specific new job, at this time your life. Do you have the ability? Are you willing to train if you do not have the job skills? How interested are you in this kind of employment? Why do you want to do this kind of work?

In your summary, focus on the reasons why your potential employer should hire you. You will have had years of experience in areas that many younger employers will never have. You have a wealth of experience, skills, abilities and talents to draw from. Many of these are appropriate for any job. What do you have to offer your new employer?

Bringing your current academic history to light:

Your academic history will time date you to some extent, but if you have done recent upgrading, particularly in terms of computer training, a whole new realm of employment is open to you. If you have obtained computer skills, you have access to immediate training or research information about any topic that you might encounter on any one of your possible target jobs.

Is it all right to target specific kinds of employment? Of course, it is!

You can include a section in your resume that suggests that suitable employment might in the area of sales, data entry, customer relations or telephone work. Perhaps you have more advanced skills like academic research or artistic ability. The broader your academic base is, the more likely you are to find employment.

Making previous work experience current with respect to a number of different job targets:

Look at your work history in the light of your immediate future. For example, you started working bagging apples at age sixteen, for a farmer. At this time in your life, that is not relevant or important, if you are trying to obtain employment in an office job, write your resume accordingly.

Include the last ten to twelve years of work history, in reverse chronological order. What have you been doing during the past year or for the last five years? How is that going to relate to what you want to do now or in the immediate future?

Find distinct aspects of your previous employment that offer a number of potential employers several different options. You have a whole gamut of work history to draw from.

Expanding your horizon to include other interests and accomplishments:

Your other interests will tell a potential employer what he or she needs to know about you personally. Include courses, certificates, awards and achievements, but stay current with everything you include on your resume.

What did you do ten years ago, that you enjoy doing now? Are you a good public relations figure? Have you had a supervisory role, in the past? Do you prefer to work with young people or the elderly? Have you learned that you relate well to children?

When you have all of your information organized, write a cover letter. Remember that a good cover letter is important, as it identifies you and gives your prospective employer your contact information. You should include an e-mail address and a web site address, if possible. Make certain that your resume is printed on good quality paper without errors.

Don't hesitate to e-mail your resume to an employer. Expect to be hired and you will find yourself with a number of possible job options. Then, it is up to you to decide which one you want to accept.

Good luck, baby boomer!

Your decision to target a couple of different jobs has paid off already. 

Now you know how to help other baby boomers who are also in the same situation, write their resumes. 

Add that to your resume too.

  

The Benefits of Journaling

How to write a journal: Tips for baby boomers

Have you ever considered the possibility of writing a journal? Perhaps you have, but you don't know how to go about doing this or where to start.

Consider these thoughts about journaling. You never know what the benefits of journaling will be for you, as they may not be the same, as for others. Unless you keep a journal, that may remain a mystery.   

The best place to start a journal, is at the beginning. Your journal will contain a record of your thoughts, feelings and daily happenings. Today is the best day to begin your journal, because that is where you are at, right now.

As a baby boomer, perhaps you have been thinking about writing a journal, for many years, but have never had the time. Now you are already entering into semi-retirement or retirement and you have the time to do something that you have always wanted to do. Why not bring your journal into reality now?

Here are some journaling tips for baby boomers.

To start, you need at least two things, paper and a pen.

Write down your name, address and telephone number, just in case your journal is misplaced.

Give your journal a title.

A journal can be started on a single sheet of notepaper, typing paper or looseleaf paper. Make certain that you have a binder for the pages or you may find that you have notes that are scattered all over.

You can place your pages in chronological order or reverse chronological order.

A relatively inexpensive notebook can serve as a journal and has the advantage of not falling apart.

If you prefer something elegant and professional looking, go into a bookstore and splurge. Purchase something that looks inviting to write in and to read.

Number you pages, carefully.

You may choose to date every entry.

Record the time of each entry, if you feel that is appropriate.

Keep your journal in a safe place, but where that you can access it, at any time. That way, if there is something that occurs to you, you can make a note about it.

Write whatever is foremost in your mind. Write simply and use good grammar, as you may not be able to make corrections. Add poetry or artwork to make it more interesting and attractive.

There are other ways to begin a journal.

Have you considered journaling, as a Word document or starting a blog? It is not that difficult to do and it is fun.

Baby boomer, good luck on your new journaling project and enjoy journaling. You never know where this might lead.

Keep your journal in a safe place, but somewhere that you can access it at any time. That way, if there is something that occurs to you, you can quickly make a note about it.

 Write whatever is foremost in your mind. Write simply and use good grammar, as you may not be able to make corrections. Add some poetry, or even simple artwork to make it more interesting and attractive.

There are other ways to begin a journal. Have you considered journaling as a Word document, or starting a blog? It is not that difficult to do and it is fun.

Baby boomer, good luck on your new journaling project and enjoy journaling. You never know where this might lead.