Beach Safety

This isn't a job search post today - it's a public service notice.

I grew up a block from the beach in New Jersey. It was a wonderful place to grow up but we learned early to respect the ocean and the beach. Our moms went to the beach with us as we were growing up and even though the parent's "hung out" together, they all watched out for all of us.

Lately there have been a run of beach tragedies. There have been several drownings and this week there was also a suffocation from the sand collapsing on a young boy as he was digging a tunnel. The drownings all occurred after the lifeguards left for the day and most of the kids were from out of town. The suffocation happened to a local boy who dug a tunnel behind the life guard stand.

My dad taught us about spotting a rip tide and what to do if we ever got caught in one. He also told us that we must never, ever swim on an unattended beach. I've carried that message with me to this day and have drilled it into the heads of my kids. If you want to learn more about rip tides and how to handle them, please watch the 60 second video on this page.

Years ago I read of a college fraternity initiation where they buried the boys in the sand on Hell Night. One of the boys died when the sand collapsed and trapped him. That horrific story taught that while it's fine to dig small holes and tunnels at the beach, never make them deep or crawl into them and always fill them in once you or the kids have finished playing.

If you are a parent, you are responsible for your children; the lifeguards aren't baby sitters.

There is nothing better than going to the beach on a hot summer day and a little common sense and knowledge can save a life.

Times Continue to be Tough for the Older Applicant

Every day I hear of another older job seeker feeling as if he or she has been pushed aside for a much younger applicant. It’s a common occurrence and because of the times, it’s happening everywhere. We all know why but is there anything that we can do to change the perception that many companies have about job seekers? I don’t think that we can change a perception but perhaps once we start talking, we can start turning things around.

Businesses are interested in money. Everything revolves around “youth” including profit, salaries, tenacity, branding/marketing and company face. We live in a youth-focused world and frankly, anyone over the age of 40 is viewed as out of touch. What can older job seekers do to possibly be considered for an opportunity? Well, unfortunately, one thing we have to do is lower our expectations.

1. Many businesses may not consider you because they are afraid that once they have invested in you, you will leave for something better. Will you? Can you articulate why you will stay?
2. Expect a lower salary. Younger applicants are cheaper. Do you want a position badly enough to accept the salary that comes with it?
3. Technology is changing as quickly as ever. Identify your strengths and your skill gaps. Learn something new. Look for opportunities for free or low cost training.
4. Don’t expect that your experience speaks for itself because if you do you are going to bruise your ego.
5. Take a look in the mirror and ask yourself if you need to refresh your appearance. Get a new interviewing outfit (even if you have to borrow it) and make sure your hair/makeup is current. Haircuts are pricy but the local vocational schools or community college students offer very good rates.

These steps won’t guarantee you a job. They can however allow you to feel a little bit better about yourself and know that you are doing something to keep up with these very turbulent times.