Greater Milwaukee Jobs

nurse or health aide. It could be a teacher, tutor or fundraiser, founder of a nonprofit, or even an entreprement and investing a new state of life and work," said Marci Alboher, neur that solves a social problem. For many, it has become the author of "The Encore Career answer to "now what?" and "what Handbook." will be my legacy?" Alboher is part of a movement Knowing what's ahead, some that has named this later-in-life stage "encore careers," paid or vol- people plan their encore career for years, beginning as early as their unteer work that has a social 50's. They use travel time to build impact. An encore career can last alliances or weekends to take a from a few years to 20 or more. community college course. While 9 million baby boomers Though he's far from retirement already have entered their encore phase, another 31 million will soon age, my 50-year-old husband surely will need an encore career. make the leap in that direction, Even now, he can't sit still on days according to Encore.org, a nonoff from work, filling his days with profit organization that promotes house projects and coming up with "second acts." new ones once the current list is The concept of an encore career exhausted. Yet he regularly talks is being buoyed by a convergence about how he looks forward to of trends: financial realities, layoffs, long life spans and the desire retirement – a disaster in the making for a man without a misfor a more purposeful existence sion. during the aging process. "It's a The reignite-rather-than-retire way to leave a mark that makes movement has been recent, but it things better for future generamay already have played a role in tions," Alboher said. "But usually curbing the high rate of suicide for it's not quick or easy. It's a slow older males. David Cohen, a prometamorphosis involving baby steps, detours, persistence, creativi- fessor of psychology at University of Texas, had previously discovty and a do-it-yourself spirit." ered a high rate of suicide for An encore career job might be a Encore Careers ... from page 1 males in the 65-to-74 year old age group, observing that this set was susceptible because of its preoccupation with lost status and higher risk of apathy and isolation. That high rate has lowered in recent years. Vicki Cerda, 53, already has begun her transition. After 20 years as an information technology trainer for Florida Power & Light in Miami, her position was eliminated. Today, Certa splits her time between a seasonal paid job as a conference planner and volunteer work for a nonprofit organization, e-learning for Kids Foundation, which provides free educational workshops on the Internet for children ages, five to 12. The teachers are volunteers, too. "This is cool because it's an encore career that I can do from anywhere and I feel like I'm making a difference," she said. Yet, the transition phase requires an emotional adjustment or identity shift. And finding new ways to use skills, contacts and instincts may take time. "You may feel like what some have started calling 'a see ENCORE CAREER . . . page 7 Job hunt is harder when hirers are rude By Diane Stafford The Kansas City Star (MCT) job. Another job candidate had Job hunting is stressful – more face-to-face job interviews with seven different organizations. stressful than it needs to be Some of the organizations conwhen some simple human ducted more than one interview decency is missing. with the job hunter. Of the First, though, a couple of reminders. As a job hunter, keep seven, only two got back with the candidate to say they'd telling yourself that your selected someone else. The rest timetable isn't the same as fell into some kind of communiemployers' timetables. And cation black hole. remember that employers care Then there are the misleading about what you can do for them, job postings that aren't for real, more than what they can do for immediately available jobs. The you. Keeping that perspective helps postings look like specific job a tad when the lack-of-decency openings, but they're really just ways for recruiting companies to experiences hit. find candidates to add to their A job candidate I learned files. about was one of two finalists I heard from someone who for a top nonprofit job. She worked for a recruiting company learned the other candidate was who became distressed at raising hired through the community see JOB HUNT . . . page 7 grapevine, not because anyone on the nonprofit board had the courtesy to call and thank her Volume 15 • Number 23 for her time and interest in the Don't put stress all on your shoulders By Liz Reyer Star Tribune (Minneapolis) Q. A. My team faces a lot of stress every day, and I have been able to help keep them on track and feeling OK. The problem is, I am absorbing all of the stress myself, so it's affecting my ability to cope. What can I do? Treat yourself kindly, and find others to give you the support you provide to your team. To set the stage for reflection, give yourself the gift of an hour in which you won't be disturbed. Close the door, turn off your computer and put away your phone. If you'd like, turn down the lights and put on relaxing music. Now, just breathe. Let the stresses of your job slip away.When thoughts come into your mind, notice them, and let them pass. As you become calmer, savor the feelings of relaxation and being centered.You can bring these feelings into your day with any breath you take. Think about the ways your life is in balance. Consider the people at work and elsewhere who help sustain you, and the activities you do that give you enjoyment. Are you spending as much time on these as you'd like? And how well are you taking care of yourself in terms of rest, exercise and nutrition? Now focus on aspects that are out of balance, specifically, the stresses at work.You may be working long hours to help the team or buffering your team from demanding internal clients. Also notice if there are other factors, such as time of day, that tend to be in play when you get most stressed.Then consider, specifically, the ways in which stress is affecting you so you can give yourself the help you need. Finally, just take a moment to envision success – a workplace that may still be busy and demanding, but in which the stress is manageable and you and your team feel good about your days. Put most of your activity into taking care of yourself in a variety of ways. In terms of your physical being, tend to your health by avoiding foods that drag down your energy, follow a regular sleep pattern that gives you enough rest, and find a way to move every day. It may be as simple as some stretching or a 10-minute walk. Plan enough fun in your life, spending time with people you like, and doing things you enjoy. It may feel out-of-reach or selfindulgent, but everyone around you will benefit. Cultivate a set of people with whom you can vent and problemsolve.Your boss may be a good option, or colleagues at your level in the company. Be sure it's not a one-way street so that they also have a safe place to go. Plan mitigation strategies for stressful situations. If you know that interactions with a certain team will leave you stressed out, make a de-stress plan.Take some deep breaths, have a 15-minute break scheduled for some fresh air, or plan to chat with a vent partner if needed. Making yourself a priority and taking simple steps to manage stress levels will help keep you in balance at work. Liz Reyer is a credentialed coach with more than 20 years of business experience. Her company, Reyer Coaching & Consulting, offers services for organizations of all sizes. Submit questions or comments about this column at www.deliverchange.com/coachscorner or email her at lizdeliverchange.com. 2 GREATERmilwaukeeJOBS • February 14, 2013 A publication of Conley Media Q& A GREATERmilwaukeeJOBS February 14, 2013 Classified Sales Director: Kristi Wolf 262/670-1516 Account Executive: Donna Armstrong 262/513-2698 darmstrong@conleynet.com Story Coordinator: Dwayne Butler 262/513-2626 dbutler@conleynet.com Production: Patricia Scheel 262/513-2690 Distributed by: Conley Distribution 262-513-2646 ©2004 by Conley Media Waukesha County Independent and Locally Owned GREATERmilwaukeeJOBS is published weekly by Conley Media – Waukesha County, 801 N. Barstow St., Waukesha, WI 53186. Contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. GREATERmilwaukeeJOBS assumes no liability for any error in copy or content. It is the advertiser's responsibility to be aware of the laws pertaining to employment advertising. Subscriptions are available for $34 (non-refundable) for a 6-month subscription. Call 262/513-2698 for information. To place an ad: Call us at 262-513-2698 or fax us at 262-542-6082 deadline: Noon on Wednesdays

• Cover