Wanted: new outfit, new job.
It has a lot to offer: professional experience in various industries, the desire for new tasks, flexibility. Because her five children are all out of the house now. And the organizational talent of a multiple mother gets the new boss for free. But does all that still count on the job market? Karin Dörr is no longer sure: for a year, the 56-year-old is looking for a job again and always gets cancellations. But she does not hang her head, but analyzes the situation: what would you do well? Who could help her? Her conclusion: "I need new self-confidence." And she also wants to do more externally. "But I can not get on alone," she writes to ChroniquesDuVasteMonde WOMAN. We have put together a strong team for them: fashion expert Michaela Gerganoff has taken over the styling, career adviser Doris Hartmann supports Karin Dörr in finding a job that suits her.
Important stages in the life of Karin Dörr 1949 Born in Duisburg 1964 First job as a "young employee" in an insurance company. A proper education? Finds her father superfluous ... 1966 Marriage with 17. Moved to Stuttgart, there Stenokontoristin in the operation of in-laws 1967 secretary in advertising and at a car company; first child. Next work? In any case ... 1972 Separation from her husband and return to the Ruhr area. Job in the Human Resources Department of a Chemical Factory 1974 Secretary of the Manager in an Advertising Agency 1975 New challenge: the overseas department of a construction company. Private life changes too. She meets her second husband; Marriage after almost three months. 1977-1987 Birth of two sons and two daughters. Karin Dörr: "Then the old pattern: husband works, wife stays home, but a job would not have been possible at that time" 1993 Move to Berlin, where her husband is self-employed in the construction industry. There collaboration as a secretary in 2000 Separation from her husband. For a long time back on job search - with 51. In Augsburg work as a call center agent. Later, she builds the HR department in the young company. 2001 again in Berlin; there work as a secretary September 2005 She quits her job, becomes unemployed. Bitter realization: "A strong woman is often in great demand neither with a strong boss nor with younger employees"
coaching
Karin Dörr: When I look at my CV like that, I think: I got married far too early - and I never did any proper training.
Doris Hartmann: This is absolutely not an isolated case in your generation: at that time, many young women did not receive any training, were allowed to go to the commercial school for at most one year. "She marries, yes ...", it was often said. Most of them actually did that early - even to get away from home.
Karin Dörr: That's right. And then I moved several times, worked in tens of different offices. A red thread can hardly be recognized there.
Doris Hartmann: But: Actually, you have always been a secretary - and in quite different industries. So much work experience is a big plus.
Karin Dörr: And I also always like to take on other tasks, for example in the direction of team leadership.
Doris Hartmann: I can easily imagine that. Many secretaries find it difficult after the family phase to serve in the office with the same ease as before. As a mother of five children you were the boss in the house, because you get a high degree of autonomy.
Karin Dörr: I do not want to miss that either. But if I look at the job market with these extremely high demands. , , I always fall through the grid.
Doris Hartmann: If I may comfort you: I've never read an ad that would apply to me. In fact, very few applicants fit exactly in the "job market drawers" that are intended for them. And: Larger companies, corporations or authorities, for example, look meticulously on professional qualifications - and of course you can not make up for it now again.
Karin Dörr: But the longer you are unemployed and apply unsuccessfully, the sooner you will eventually fall for all offers that could even be remote ...
Doris Hartmann: ... and yet get more or less friendly refusals, which gnaw at self-confidence.
Karin Dörr: Yes, after such experiences I sometimes feel quite insecure.
Doris Hartmann: Once you see this uncertainty positively. Your CV shows that you are sociable, able to organize well, and by nature you exude a lot of zest for life. They used to be the "doer" from their early days. And now your insecurity points out that "taking care" is the order of the day in your situation. Actually a good and important feeling.It protects you because it keeps you alert.
Karin Dörr: At the last job I felt weird from the beginning. As if the bosses are not really behind me. I still took over the team leadership and was actually bullied in the office - somehow tragic, I think.
Doris Hartmann: Tragic? No, that's not it! It's an important insight into how your future employer should not be. Be glad that your dismissal has freed you from this unfortunate situation.
Karin Dörr: That's why I'm sitting here without work.
Doris Hartmann: You just need a new job search strategy
Karin Dörr: But I can not do more than apply again and again.
Doris Hartmann: Yes, you can. By taking a more targeted approach. First of all, clarify something fundamental: where do you fit in particularly well with your profile? With your liveliness and your experience small, flexible, maybe even slightly chaotic businesses should be right for you. So you should not turn to larger companies.
Karin Dörr: Sometimes I wonder if it really has any purpose to keep trying: 20.9.1949 - if someone in a human resources department reads this date of birth, my application will be sorted out anyway.
Doris Hartmann: That's why I advise you not to continue to compete with many other applicants for a vacancy as before. Stop the search and go to the job market yourself. With your professional and industry experience, you can easily run an office, right? We develop an offer as an "office manager". What is one of your daily tasks?
Karin Dörr: In any case, the handling of correspondence, filing, various phone calls. In addition there are scheduling, planning and booking of business trips, the reception and care of guests.
Doris Hartmann: Then let us discuss together which problems you will solve for your employer. Here are two examples: Correspondence, filing and telephone control incoming and outgoing information. The reception of guests serves the relationship maintenance ...
Karin Dörr: ... and the image of the company.
Doris Hartmann: Right. Now the thing is: your offer will be better for future bosses if it does not consist of a list of tasks that you all do confidently. Why? Because such a "list" of potential employers often leads to the following train of thought: "What should I do with such a strong, experienced woman?"
Karin Dörr: Hm, it shines, but it's a rather unfamiliar point of view.
Doris Hartmann: I understand. But you will see: Focusing on problem solving has another decisive advantage. Employers who receive such an application will consider whether they have the problem in their company or not. According to factual then the answer will be formulated. That is, there are no "stupid" refusals that are either meaningless or repeatedly referring to your age. However, it takes time and work for an individual offer to exactly fit the respective industry. This is now a homework assignment for you. Mail me your designs later like - experience has shown that a letter must be reformulated several times until it hits the right tone.
Karin Dörr: Unfortunately, I am financially under pressure. What could I do in the short term to earn money?
Doris Hartmann: Apply for office service providers or temporary employment agencies - your resume shows that you are versatile and flexible. In addition, women like you have a good chance, especially with temporary work agencies. There one knows for a long time that the reliability and the commitment of older coworkers is highly appreciated by the temporary employment customers.
Karin Dörr: Furthermore, I continue to work on my "problem-solving offer".
Doris Hartmann: Exactly. Remember, too, that you are now at an age when your ability to perform may change. For example, in the past you might have been convinced by the speed and uncompromising "removal" of huge amounts of paper, that is, by quantity. In the second half of working life, the performance is characterized by the personal quality of certain experiences - and you have collected a great deal from that. Your next big step will be to professionally present these special qualities to potential employers: with a direct mailing on your own behalf, which you send specifically to selected, small and flexible companies.
What do I put on for a job interview?
Of course, you convince primarily by an interesting CV and competent appearance. But your counterpart only has a few minutes to get an idea of you. Use them to your advantage
What sits well is up to you You can only move confidently and relaxed if you do not have to think about your clothes during the job interview.Just wear things that suit you, not those you'd like to fit in with. Cuts that give the figure shape (lapel, sidecut, small shoulder pads), look serious, elastics and creases (linen) make a rather careless impression.
Less is more Choose your make-up so that you look fresh, but not freshly painted: concealer under the eyes, lashes, a light foundation for the complexion, rosewood-colored lipstick and an idea of rouge - you're always in the right place ,
Meaningful investment Before you buy a completely new outfit, invest in a good barber. A great haircut immediately has a positive effect on the mood. The opposite is of course true for a bad haircut - so no experiments with 11-euro offers!
Note dress codes There are still occupations (hotel, bank, etc.) in which a lot of emphasis is placed on a classic appearance. Familiarize yourself with the dress codes beforehand. Vice versa, it is embarrassing: If you sit in a noble costume in front of a guy in casual jeans, only a loose slogan can save the situation.
Fashion is good, style is better It does not do any good if you are dressed in the latest trends but do not feel comfortable in it. Mix a few familiar pieces with high-quality accessories: a beautiful watch, elegant shoes or just a handbag made of first-class leather. That has style.
