Ask a Mentor: We’ve heard that 60 is the new 30

Edited by Sandra Kleinsasser

Dear WCA Mentors,

How do you market yourself in the workplace if you are in your sixties but not ready to retire? —Still Going Strong

Dear Strong,

I’ll bet my AARP membership that there are plenty of boomers wondering the same thing. Make sure your self-promotion and self image stay strong — you can’t coast at this stage.

“Maturity is a good thing,” says Julie Wickert. “You have a lot of successes and a lot of, shall we say — lessons learned — to bring to the workplace or client. You just have to find the audience that gets you.”

Be yourself, adds Raye Elizabeth Ward. Concentrate on your strengths and don’t pretend. Not sure of your strengths? Check out a Kolbe online test (about $50) to map out your intrinsic strong points. Focus on professional areas such as strategy where your proven experience counts more than your Klout score.

At the same time, stay curious and open to new things. Don’t be afraid to take a class or online tutorial to add a new skill. Volunteering can give you a chance to flex some new communication muscles or brush up on some you may not have used in a while.

And most importantly: network, network, network. Make sure that your personal and professional circles know you have not hung up your running shoes just because you reached a certain birthday.

 

We’re Here to Help

Need some career advice? Wondering how others have handled a situation? Got a question or comment for our mentors? Contact us at wcamentors@wcaustin.org. Our volunteers are glad to help. Confidentiality will be respected.