Amy Lindgren
This is the third of 12 columns on career planning post-60, which will appear the second Sunday of each month from September through August.
Everyone has heard it; maybe you’ve even said it yourself: The best way to find work and build careers is through other people. Networking is the common name for this process, although that term (and the practice) can sometimes feel off-putting to the very people who need to do it.
For workers in their 60s and beyond, those are simple problems compared to the reality of a retiring / expiring cohort. To put it bluntly, the older we get, the more likely our contacts have left the workplace (or worse, this mortal coil) on a permanent basis.
Now what? That’s this week’s subject for my Second Sunday series on career planning for workers in their 60s, 70s and 80s.
My job is to a) convince you that networking at this stage in your life is possible, acceptable and useful and, b) help you identify how you might go about it.
We’ll tackle the convincing aspect first. If you’ve been put off by the concept of networking, it may be from a sense of pride or the perception that requesting career help from others is “using” them. Or, you may feel that networking into a job takes unfair advantage or hints of nepotism.
Feelings aside, the facts are clear: Networking is key to creating job opportunities and always has been. To ease any discomfort, try changing the terminology to “building professional relationships.” This might clarify the mutuality of the practice, as well as its importance.
You may still have misgivings, but since you’re still reading we’ll move on to the whys and hows of building professional relationships in your later working years.
The whys go far beyond the possibility that a contact will lead you to a job — although that happens frequently. As you build relationships you’re also broadening your perspective. Each person you talk with in this capacity helps you know more about the field you’re in or currently considering, or provides insight into other fields for you to explore.
Professional contacts can also be problem-solvers, helping you identify the best pathways forward in your work life or connecting you to people who have solutions for whatever challenge you’re facing. They can also provide essential resources or otherwise offer shortcuts that accelerate your process.
These are solid reasons, but how does someone in their 60s or beyond build professional relationships when their own cohort may not be viable? The same ways a younger person does it, but with some variance.
• Attend things. That’s not very specific, for a reason: The broader your interpretation of “things,” the more spontaneous the contacts could be. Rather than focusing only on events designed for networking, broaden your list to include open houses, community forums, conferences, and any other meeting where people from your field (or from a variety of professions) might be gathered. For quality connections, in-person attendance is key.
• Join things. If you know the work you want to do or the broader industry (such as education or health care), joining a related committee or a professional association or even the board of a relevant nonprofit will bring you into immediate and meaningful contact with others in the field.
• Learn things. Anything from hour-long sessions to full certificates or degree programs will introduce you to experts and instructors who might be open to providing additional advice or contacts. As a bonus, the other learners can become a cohort for you.
• Do things. As an example, volunteering can be a good path to building connections with others who share your interests, and to the paid staff of the organizations themselves.
In all four “things” categories — attending, joining, learning and doing — the emphasis is on meeting people in fields that currently or potentially interest you.
Naturally, not every connection will blossom into a relationship but every person you meet can still be part of the larger puzzle. For that reason, remember to collect contact information when possible, while asking if they’d be open to a conversation at some later point.
After the initial encounter, sending a brief email or text is both gracious and strategic. This lets them know you valued the time together, while also providing them a cue to respond if they’d like.
If these connecting practices don’t come naturally to you, give them time. They get easier, and the rewards can be life-changing.
Related Articles
Working Strategies: Job search outreach: Don’t call it ‘networking’
Working Strategies: Job search best practices require discipline
Working Strategies: Customize cover letters, but there are shortcuts
Working Strategies: Job search over 60: “purpose” vs. paycheck
Working Strategies: Making the most of college internships
Amy Lindgren owns a career consulting firm in St. Paul. She can be reached at alindgren@prototypecareerservice.com.
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