The Boomer Group

I am new to The Boomer Group and my responsibility is to find those enlightened companies who realize the value of the baby boomer generation and are looking for experienced office professionals.

 If you happen to be generation X or Y and have found your way to this site, do not for a moment think that I am disparaging your business abilities or commitment.  We have simply choosen to focus on a very special niche.

Boomers do not seem to be exiting the job market at the rate once projected.  In his book, Working, Studs Terkel stated that we go to work each day, not only for ”daily bread”, but for “daily meaning”.  There is great reward, not only financially, but mentally and physically, from continuing to work.  Boomer’s offer expertise, good health, a strong work ethic, knowledge and maturity.  All are traits that successful businesses value.

Many boomers are looking for a more “meaningful” career.  The questions we need to ask are:  What kind of work would I like to do?  What transferable skills do I have?  Can I contribute to a company’s success?

In looking at a career change, uncertainty will not serve us well.  Creating a plan for what we want to accomplish, the value we bring and how a prospective employer will profit from having us as a member of their team, will have a lot to do with the success of our search.

In writing this, I hope that someone, or a great many someone’s, will read it and respond.  Even better, numerous companies will seek out The Boomer Group, with positions that need to be filled.

In reality, I hope you will share the name, The Boomer Group, with any individual or business that can profit from the services we offer.

I am Ray Clapper, responsible for business development at The Boomer Group and I would like to hear from you about what type of services or support you need in preparing for your next career.

Sometimes when we hear from people that they were not hired for the job, it is true that they may be ‘over qualified’.  If you are applying for a job and are seeking a position that is 10-30k lower than what you used to make, then the hiring manager may be wise to be cautious.  However, if you are seeking a new job, in a different industry, or purposely taking a step back, then you have to really be able to articulate your value to the new employer. 

The beauty of wisdom, is that you have the knowledge and confidence to change the dynamic of an interview.  Instead of just answering the same questions the same way, try to interrupt the pattern of your interviewer.  Ask him/her ‘What are your goals for this department?’, ’What keeps him/her up at night’?;  ‘What is the role of this department as it relates to the company?’ ‘How would you define the perfect candidate for this position?”.  Once you have identified the pain of the department or this manager….be the solution!  A younger candidate will simply not have the business acumen, experience, and skills you have!  Yes, some managers can and will be threatened by your experience, however you probably wouldn’t want to work for someone who is scared of hiring someone ‘too strong’.  The best and brightest hiring managers know the golden rule of hiring “Always hire people smarter than you are!” 

Hi Boomers:

October 1, 2007.  We’re excited to start a blog to capture your thoughts and opinions about being a Boomer and finding work.  We have had the pleasure and the experience of placing almost 1600 Baby Boomers in the Denver Market since our inception in 2004.

When we started The Boomer Group we were a bit early to the party, but now many employers are seeing the value of having more diverse and mature employees.  We have learned many lessons over the years. One of our biggest lessons is that the Boomer demographic can not be simplified, categorized or stereotyped as ‘one type of person’.  We have clearly seen that there are at least two groups within the big group.  Boomers who are 40ish to 50ish; and those 50+ (and Fabulous).  In addition, we don’t think that all Boomers will be retiring en mass, as the media would have us all believe.  We meet many Boomers who have no intention of retiring simply becuase they need the emotional and financial support that most get from work.   The key moving forward will be for employers to evaluate how their work should be completed and be willing to creatively structure work to accomodate more flexible work arrangements.

Have you ever felt like the media, employers or certain consumer industries have misunderstood you as a Boomer?