Who says you can't find work after the age of 45?

We have all been hearing this mantra for quite a while here in Israel and I assume that it is quite the same wherever you go. Is it true? Well, yes, I think it is…to a great extent, BUT, definitely, definitely not impossible!
I am proud to share my own experience as a coach- about 80% of those who are out of a job and come to work with me as a coach- at least over the last 2 years- have found themselves in a new income-earning situation.
That is a nice statistic, I am proud of it, but I also know that to a great degree it is always a trial and error process and luck does have something to do with it…but not everything.

I have found that it is all about VALUE- showing it, believing in it, knowing how to live it.
I have found that what depresses so many "over 45 and in the job market" is suddenly finding themselves without a "good story", a story about their value, a "story" that sticks.
And it is always there somewhere, it is a matter of getting into that mindset that says "I have skills and experience that can help you" rather than "I am an electrical engineer with 20 years experience". And, of course, this is the opposite of the way we have been trained to talk.

A recent client of mine ,45, was dealt a huge blow when he was dismissed from work after 5 years in a hi-tech company- 6 months at home totally blew his mind, blew his confidence and obviously impacted how he interacted.
In the end he found work quite quickly- yes, he had to "reinvent" how he spoke about himself and experience, but after doing that it went quite well- after less than two months of coaching he was offered a great job and he is already there!
But it was not easy mainly because his mindset was not there. Others were less fortunate.

I would sum up and say that while it is not terribly attractive to try and sell yourself into a position when you are over 45, the first person you have to sell yourself to is….YOU- that is the key but also the hardest client. You definitely, definitely need to build that story that will value yourself and show your value.

What has your experience been with the over-45 crowd in hi-tech companies?