How To Land A 6-Figure Job At Age 50+

“Hi, Jewel. I have been applying for jobs since last year, and I’m pretty sure I match what the qualifications say. Yet, after all this time, I’ve had a grand total of two Zoom interviews. Could the problem be that my salary requirements are too high?”

Yes, that could be the problem, but there may be a few issues to address before even getting to the salary question.

The reason you’re ending up facing the salary question so quickly {I assume 2 interviews translates into a 1st interview with each of 2 companies} is likely that you’re looking like a dime-a-dozen commodity. When you look and present pretty much like everyone else they’re looking at, the only way the employer thinks they have to differentiate you is by salary.

So, let’s back things up. I want us to take a look at the 3 things you need to do to land a 6-figure job at age 50+.

Begin With The End In Mind

Please don’t be a jack-of-all-trades. Please don’t take pride in multi-tasking. You are not for everybody, but I promise you that your particular set of skills and expertise IS for somebody. Decide who that somebody is, then pursue that goal.

I don’t mean to set your sights on 1 company. Rather, decide the type of professional environment you’d like, then expand and pursue similar targets. For example, do you see yourself at Google because they’re all about innovation? Great. If innovation is where you live and breathe, add organizations like Unilever, CarMax, and Mohawk Industries to your list. Putting intentional thought in at this stage will focus your job search and make your path to your next executive role that much shorter.

#focusFocusFOCUS

Counter-intuitive though it may sound, focus is what works. Let’s say you have 2 objectives (because 2 is the maximum I’m even going to allow you to have – sorry, not sorry – but if you have more than that, career counseling is the optimal step for you, prior to commencing your job search.)

You may be equal parts Creative Marketing Director and Strategic Marketing Director. What I strongly recommend is identifying which of those objectives is truly nearest and dearest to your heart. Go back and read that sentence again – it’s a heart and gut decision, not a brain decision. One of those is more dear to you than the other. Pursue that and that alone for some period of time, meaning: if you decide on Creative Marketing Director, identify the relevant organizations and positions only pertaining to that, and do so for, say, 3 months. If that doesn’t yield the 6-figure leadership role you want, only then move on to Strategic Marketing Director roles.

Why? Pursuing 2 objectives dilutes your focus. You will forever be trying to explain how you are both this AND that. Yet, while you’re busy trying to be 2 things, the employer is only hiring for 1 job.

Additionally, when you identify your stronger objective and pursue that, you have a higher chance of landing that. And remember, that stronger objective is nearer and dearer to your heart anyway.

Engage The People Who Matter

LinkedIn was born in 2003, making it nearly 18 years ago. {Can you believe it?} When LinkedIn 1st launched, most people tried to hurry up and build the biggest networks possible. It was a badge of honor to have so many connections.

But the problem with that was, most of the connections were utterly meaningless. Being connected to people in other countries, unless you’re actually in an international executive leadership role, is not altogether helpful.

Putting yourself in job search groups, with the hope of getting or trading leads, may be equally unhelpful. All you’re doing is plunking yourself smack dab in the middle of hundreds or thousands of people who are in the exact same position you are.

What works is when you engage with the people who can impact and influence your hiring process: executive recruiters and decision makers. {This is beyond the people you’ve actually known in your real life. Obviously, if you already have a contact at the company you’re interested in, traverse that path 1st.}

However, both active and passive job search modes are the ideal times for you to make new connections with relevant people. Who are the recruiters in your industry? In your city? Who would be your boss or your boss’ boss at the companies you want to work for. Make it your consistent practice to initiate those connections – those are the people who can grease the wheels for you, contribute to shortening your job search, and advise you on how to get into the 6-figure leadership role you actually want.

The steps in executive job search are simple and logical, once you find out what they are. Get your free copy of The Ultimate Job Search Guide so you can arm yourself going forward, not waste time, and not miss out on the leadership opportunities you deserve!