Your Address on Your Resume Can Lead to Discrimination

As a Job Counselor working with adults 55-years-old and above, one of the first things I tell them after reviewing their resume is to REMOVE THEIR ADDRESS.

Putting your address on your resume is a good way to be discriminated against when it comes to being considered for a job you've applied for. Why? Because an employer may have a preconceived notion about where you live and how that might impact their Company.

Say it ain't so Joe!

Oh, but it is. They call it Economic Profiling: Let's say you live in or very close to an area that is known for having a high crime rate and you're applying for a bank job. That potential employer may fear that you will bring a certain "element" to their business because of that street address. You could be applying for ANY job for that matter and an employer may exclude simply because of your geography.

When you include your street address on your resume, employers can use online search engines (like zillow.com) to determine the value of your property, the median income in your neighborhood or how much you paid for your home. If you live in a lower income area, companies can assume that you will accept a lower salary offer. The same holds true if you live in an a very upscale community. They might overlook you thinking they can’t afford your salary requirements.

Another reason you shouldn't put your address on your resume: The employer may think it's too far for you to commute, especially if you have to rely on others to get you to and from work.


The bottom line is that you control your contact information. All an potential employer needs is your phone number, city, and state, and email address.

Good luck and happy job hunting!

Are You As Old and Outdated As Your Resume Looks

After spending the past few years in and out of the job market, I am now in a position where I am working to help others find a new job or career.

As a Job Counselor (trainee) with NCBA, I work exclusively with people 55 years old and older who have been unemployed for a period of time. What I have discovered, in a relatively short period of time, is I am definitely in the MINORITY when it comes to being up to date on the latest trends in job hunting. Yes, I admit I struggled 10 years ago when I was first introduced to the concept of online networking and social media. I spent many frustrating days and nights trying to understand my computer but today,I am proud to say I have reached the ADVANCED LEVEL can hang with the best of the Millennials and GenXers.

This particular post is about the importance of making yourself look your very best for the job you are seeking----and it all starts with a resume. That piece of paper can put you in the over-the-hill category or make you shine like a superstar.

Here are some tips on how to update your resume:

1. Make sure you are up to date on your industry's technology.
Be aware that technology terms are often used as keywords to filter out the best resumes from electronic databases. If your resume doesn't have them, it may never be seen. Check multiple job descriptions within your industry to see what technologies employers really want. Determine which technologies are missing from your resume. Then decide what you need to learn or do to fill that technology gap. Consider adult-education classes, college classes, or online learning.

2. Make sure your resume is using current terminology.
If you have just been adding to the same old resume over the years, your early entries may be using outdated terms. One way to bring your resume up to date is through publications from your industry's professional associations. If you don't belong to any professional associations, you might be missing out on the latest lingo.

3. Make sure your resume reflects today's trends in resume format and style.
Some of the old resume rules just don't apply any more. For example:

Old Rule: Limit your resume to one page. New Approach: This is a really old idea that limits your ability to show all of your skills and expertise.

Old Rule: End your resume with References Available Upon Request. New Approach: You don't need to say that; it's assumed.

Old Rule: You should show every job you have ever held and give each equal importance. New Approach: The main portion of your employment history should only go back as far as it related to your current employment objectives. Think of your resume as a marketing piece that highlights the best parts rather than as a tell-all. For some years, experts have recommended that your resume should go back no more than 10 years. Because of background checks, however, it's best to include your full employment history, placing older experience in a section title "Previous Professional Experience," in which dates of employment are optional.

Don't let your resume make you look old and outdated and good luck in your job search.

HIV & AIDS Appears to be an Epidemic Among Black Baby Boomers

When my husband and I decided to get married back in 2005, we both felt it was important to be tested for HIV/AIDS. This was only logical since both of us had been around the block a time or two or three. Although we had no reason to believe either of us were infected, We had no problem doing it and are glad we did.

Sadly, that's not the case nationwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 43 percent of blacks between the ages of 50-55 are living with HIV/AIDS and 51 percent among those 65 and older. That's the equivalent of 1 in 4 baby boomers living with the disease.

BUT IT GETS WORSE!

Many don't find out about the disease until they have to go in for some type of ailment and then you have those who never find out because they refuse to get tested. According to a study conducted at UCLA, researchers found several barriers that may be preventing our generation: a mistrust of the government and conspiracy theories about AIDS. The study, which looked at a small group of people recruited from public health venues, found that 72 percent of the participants did not trust government, and they believe the government is run by a few big interests looking out for themselves. Another 30 percent believe in AIDS-related conspiracy theories, including that the virus is man-made and was created to kill certain groups of people. Forty-five percent of the study's participants had not had an HIV test in the previous 12 months.

What the survey doesn't address is the stigma attached to the disease. The old school church communities identify HIV & AIDS with shame and damnation to hell. It's past time for older blacks to take the blinders off and deal with important health matters and know that God forgives you for whatever sin you may have, knowingly or unknowingly committed.

To read more about the story go to: Black Health Matters

Boomers and Retirement Worries

High medical expenses are Americans' biggest financial worry about retirement, according to a new Bankrate.com (NYSE: RATE) report. 28% of Americans gave this response; the highest-income households (over $75,000 per year) are actually more concerned about high medical expenses than the overall population. Running out of money is the biggest fear for millennials (18-29 year-olds) and a close second overall.

One-third of Americans say they can't save more for retirement because they have just enough money for their day-to-day expenses. 14% blame other family obligations and 10% lay fault with their student loan debt (millennials were more than twice as likely to give this answer than other age groups). 29% are satisfied with the amount they are currently saving.

Working Americans are realistic about Social Security's role in their eventual retirements: just 13% expect it to account for all or most of their retirement income, while another 14% expect it to account for half their retirement income. About one in four believe they won't get anything.

"The average Social Security payout is only around $15,000 per year, so people are realistic to think they'll need to supplement that income," said Sheyna Steiner, senior investing analyst at Bankrate.com. "But despite all the gloom and doom about the future of Social Security, most Americans are optimistic that they'll get at least something from the program. That even includes millennials – 63% of them think Social Security will fund at least some of their retirement several decades from now."

The survey was conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International (PSRAI) and can be seen in its entirety here:

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/retirement/survey-americans-racked-by-retirement-fears.aspx

The Importance of Mental Health Days After 50

Statistics show Baby Boomers tend to be the most loyal to their jobs. We show up on time and try not to take more days off than necessary. Many of us take pride in never having called out sick.

Well, now that I've returned to the workforce I see the absolute NEED to call out sick---even when I'm not. These are my "Mental Health Days." I am one of those people who rarely gets sick enough to call out but I DO get frustrated enough to take care of my sanity.

If you're over 50 and still working an eight hour, five-days-a-week job, mental health days become EXTREMELY important. Here are some signs you might need to take a day off for your mental health's sake:

YOU AREN’T ENJOYING YOUR WEEKENDS: If the stress of your Monday through Fridays is bleeding into your Saturdays and Sundays, you probably need a day off. It’s normal to get the “Sunday evening blues” as your weekend draws to an end, but if all you can think about is how much you dread going in to work the next day, you need to take another day to re-group and revitalize.


YOU LACK CREATIVITY: When we’re mentally drained, the first thing to go is our creativity. A tired brain results in work that lacks imagination, originality, and resourcefulness. You get used to doing the same things, the same old way. Take a hard look at your last few projects. If they’re missing the creative edge you usually bring to the table, it’s a sign that your mind needs a break.


LITTLE THINGS ARE SETTING YOU OFF: You find yourself snapping at everybody no matter where you are and the smallest things are upsetting. Your co-worker is asking for help and you're frustrated she asked you instead of trying to figure it out for herself first. Never mind the fact that she thinks you're really good at your job and she wants to learn from the best. Also, if you find yourself in an outrage because the person in front of you at the checkout counter is taking too much time to count her exact change, your best course of action is to call in (mentally) sick to work before you snap unnecessarily at someone else.


YOU'RE PLOTTING WAYS TO GET BACK AT YOUR YOUNGER BOSS: Yes, he might be an asshole and he might not treat you with a lot of respect but if you're spending all of your time and energy trying to figure out how to get back at him or get him fired, you might be sending yourself into an early grave. Thinking those negative thoughts all the time can only create stress and we all know stress KILLS.

Try this: the meaner he/she is to you, the nicer you are to them. It is truly a challenge, (trust me because I know first-hand) but if you continue with "positive thoughts" things are surely to turn around in your favor.

YOU'RE BRINGING YOUR WORK HOME EVERYDAY: If you're coming home and still talking and/or thinking about what's going on at your job, you need some mental health intervention. Home is supposed to be a place for sanctuary; a place you can go to forget about the troubles of the day. Home is where you should be relaxing and re-energizing and giving loved ones your undivided attention. If you can't do that, a mental health day should be considered mandatory.

When was the last time you took a mental health day from work? By the way, Mental Health Day is celebrated every year on October 10th.  So be sure to mark your calendar and request the day IN ADVANCE :).

Job Search Tips for Boomers

In September of last year, I made a tough decision to return to the workforce after a seven-year attempt to make it as an entrepreneur. I am still working.

Going back to work put me in an environment I left for good reason. I didn't like the idea of working for younger bosses who thought they knew everything and didn't value what older workers brought to the table. I found it impossible to deal with younger co-workers who had the same attitudes. But I am not going to use this space to vent about the past. I am moving onward and upward in a new direction.

Over the past several years, this blog has been focused on boomer related subjects and issues. It will remain the same but with a clearer focus. As a boomer who has returned to the workforce I want to share some useful tips and information that can help others do the same thing.

This particular topic is on how to get back into the job market.

First of all let me say, finding a job is challenging for anyone in tough economic times but it's harder if you're over the age of 50. Although it's illegal for employers to discriminate based on age, any older job-seeker will tell you it happens ever day. Before I landed my current job, I sent out dozens and dozens of resumes and attended a number of job seminars.

Here are some job tips for boomers with some help from AARP:

1) Use books and online tools to help craft the best resume, which should be no longer than two pages. Don't let your resume reflect your age. Let your experience speak for itself.

2) Highlight your experience in detail on your resume and in your cover letter. Outline why you, an older employee, are the best candidate for the position.

3) If you haven't participated in an interview for awhile, you should brush up on your interview skills. Ask one of your teenage children/spouse or friend to ask you some anticipated questions.

4) Get in touch with old contacts. You never know who knows who and networking still remains one of the best ways to find a job.

5) Don't get discouraged. The job hunting process is truly an exercise in patience. You may be sending out dozens of resumes before you get your first call.

No Pain No Gain

After leaving the gym one day this week I had the nerve to come home and complain about how sore I was. My loving, encouraging husband said, "That means you've pushed yourself to another level. No pain--no gain." That reminded me of a conversation I had with my daughter a few years ago.

Once when she was in college, she called and asked me to pray for her because she felt like she was losing her focus. She said college life and the work involved had become overwhelming. As cruel as it may sound to you, the first thing I said to her was “Welcome to the next journey of your REAL world.”

No doubt my daughter had a lot on her plate. In addition to trying to complete the second year of college in 2009, she also had a 3-year-old son to think about and a part-time job that had her commuting about 45 minutes each way on the weekends. But what I wanted to make her understand was these are the issues that have been been created in her life. She could either deal with them or roll over and play dead.

I told my daughter that God gives us all a vision—but it doesn't come without trial and tribulation. It is up to us to clear our minds and FOCUS.

My advice to my daughter three years ago has now become the absolute BEST ADVICE for ME as I have discovered the "no pain no gain" mentality beyond the gym. Opting to return to the workforce for a steady paycheck was a very painful decision for me to make last year because I felt like it meant I had lost my focus and failed as an entrepreneur after seven years of trying.

Here are some tips for people who feel like their eyes are OFF the prize:

1. Check Your Emotions
If you are charged or upset about something then keep reminding yourself that these emotions will not allow you to get to the next level.

2. Let it Go
Do not dwell on the would’ve, should’ve, could’ve. You have to let the “stuff” go and move forward. If you find yourself stuck in a rut, find an anchor in a confidant or professional. No use crying over spilled milk–just wipe it up and get a new glass.

3. Take A Breather
If you feel you are losing focus -stop, switch off and come back refreshed.

4. Keep a Notepad handy
Maybe that distracting thinking that keeps coming into your head is a good idea and could be useful. Write it down so that you know it is there, re-focus and come back to it later

5. Reschedule
The mind will wander when you are tired so re-schedule. Its more productive to stay focused on the work you are doing. It takes a lot of practice but it’s worth it.

As a parent, I do appreciate the fact that my daughter came to me to ask for prayer. At least I know she knows where her help and strength comes from and so do I.

Sometimes there is triumph and victory in our pain.