Women Over Fifty—It’s All About YOU!
Yes, we tend to think of others first and, yes, we sometimes find it difficult to toot our own horn. But, if you’re vulnerable to being laid off or you’ve already received a pink slip, this attitude needs to change. You have to be able to calmly and with confidence, speak to your strengths and how you add value to a position, a team, and an organization.
This is even more critical if you’ve passed your fiftieth birthday because, although it won’t be spoken or overtly displayed, ageism is alive and well in this country. You can, however, articulate your worth and added value with a little forethought and a bit of practice.
In this second post in our series on identifying skills and talents, we’re going to take a look at what makes you unique. These types of skills reflect your personality traits and individual style; how you approach problems and ways you deal with people.
Take some time to consider the following:
What skills tend to come naturally to you?
- Are you a people person (friendly, cooperative, easy-going, sociable)?
- Are you a creative type (innovative, inventive, expressive, intuitive)?
- Are you good with details and follow-through (conscientious, orderly, efficient, thorough)?
- Are you a leader (confident, dynamic, outspoken, assertive)?
- Are you someone who can diagnose and solve problems (analytical, objective, critical, astute)?
- Are you a physical type (active, energetic, robust, vigorous)?
Which personality traits would your friends identify with you? Ask them to list four or five and jot these down. In fact, ask several friends and you’ll begin to see certain characteristics listed again and again.
Give yourself five to ten adjectives that describe your personality. Think of ways you act when you’re being your “natural” self. How were you as child? Which personality traits have always been a part of who you are?
As you spend some time gathering information, you’ll begin to get a sense of those characteristics that set you apart from others. These personal skills represent your unique value and your individual strengths. You’ll need to know them, speak to them, and show them on both your resume and in an interview.
Time to put modesty aside. Remember: you’re one feisty old gal and you’ve earned the right to strut your stuff!
Be sure and check out the Saturday Soapbox and join in the “Boomer Power Crusade.”
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March 16th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
It can be very difficult to look at oneself positively when your head is on the chopping block or you have just lost your job, or at any time when your sense of value has been threatened. However it is so important to do so. Asking friends about your personality traits is a great idea. It is often at these times that we need positive input to get us back on track.
March 12th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
I’ve had others describe me and I have adopted some of those things. I’ve always known I’m a people person and a leader but it wasn’t that way when I was very young. Guess age, experience and a shot of wisdom helps change things, hey?
March 8th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Eileen, you wrote: “Time to put modesty aside. Remember: you’re one feisty old gal and you’ve earned the right to strut your stuff!” How true that is!! Thanks for this series, Eileen. We are from a generation where thinking of self was viewed selfish. And I suppose in some instances it is exactly that. But what you’re suggesting here is taking time to really get in touch with ourselves. We can only help and be of service to others if we’ve tapped into what makes our own hearts sing. And in this time of economic turmoil — fear! — our throats constrict and we often forget to find and use our voice. Thanks again for another insightful post. Diana
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March 8th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Great tips. I will pass these tips on to my dear friend who just lost her job.
March 8th, 2009 at 4:36 am
What a great idea
Once I was in a seminar and we were supposed to describe ourselves, but that’s of course very difficult for most people. Then the idea came from the trainer that if we could imagine what our mother would say about us, what would that be? By that we would think a bit outside our own box and that was much easier
Thanks again for a great post.
March 7th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Thanks for the great post…a reminder to be feisty when it’s tempting to feel defeated. We HAVE learned a lot, and there’s a world out there that needs to learn the things we know, and needs the skills that we have. Hey, I’m feeling feistier with each word!
March 7th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
I’ve always been a people person with a good dose of good ole’ fashion horse sense.
I’m a curious blend of pragmatism and creative artistry. I love the arts, literature and anything expressive. I also love the stock market and economics.
I can only attribute this dual nature to my ambidexterity. Whatever it is, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
March 7th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Eileen, this is always a great exercise for us to take stock in ourselves and reassess. It’s a great confidence booster. I, too, have seen the e-mail that has gone around about asking for “one word” to describe the sender. It’s a great way to get feedback about yourself from your friends and family.
You’re right. We need to kick ourselves in the fanny and put ourselves out there for the world to see. Be assertive. That should top our lists!
March 7th, 2009 at 10:28 am
I like this idea and, if anyone finds it difficult to come up with positive traits for themselves I would suggest they ask their very closest friends and family what traits they would suggest.
Sometimes we are looking for the obvious “good” traits or we are too modest to see what others can see in us and we miss what might be some of our strongest skills and abilities!
Thanks for stopping by the SOAPBOX SATURDAY today!
March 7th, 2009 at 6:25 am
Eileen,
There was an email circulating about this subject awhile back so I sent it to my friends and here’s what they said about me:
1) Driven
2) Energetic
3) Assertive
4) Spiritual
5) No Nonsense
This is a good exercise and I think I’ll use it at my next seminar—which is actually coming up this Thursday. Thanks! I’ll let you know how it goes.
March 6th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Good idea! I must try this!
March 6th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
For you, Eileen, I would list gracious, thoughtful, caring, insightful, fun, and sophisticated. These are but a few of your many beautiful traits. I admire you Diva sister!
How do I go about asking people this without seeming egotistical, because I would like to know. I feel safe enough in the Diva group to ask, so I think I’ll go there.
Smart post!
March 6th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
I have noticed this in myself and others: Sometimes we “freeze up” when it comes to “putting out” our positive adjectives and some of our most charming identities in the workplace. We have hang-ups about what is appropriate for a resume. This post made me think of an e-mail exercise that was circulating among my friends last year, where you write back and describe the sender in a word. I got back words like outgoing, loyal, lively, smart, generous, and inspiring. (I’d use all the same adjectives for you, Eileen.)
Since we have a hard time tooting our own horns and worry about which qualities are seen as right for the workplace, I suggest doing this e-mail game with your friends. Nearly every adjective will be OK for work, after all, and you’ll be surprised at your ability to be more objective about those adjectives when they are given to you with the “authority” of those who really know you instead of coming from yourself and feeling like a brag. People are looking for signs you’ll be a good workmate, too.