Hopkinton networking group provides job search assistance and pointers for 50-something

HOPKINTON, Mass. - Oct. 19, 2016 - PRLog -- The Massachusetts Council on Aging officially launched a networking group in Hopkinton to help job seeking Massachusetts residents 50 years of age or older. The group, led by award-winning, career-life coach Dawn Quesnel, AKA Coach DQ, began as a pilot group earlier this year.

"Job seekers over 50 face a different set of challenges than people in their twenties and thirties. Many have been downsized out of the job market or retired and now want or need employment. These people have genuine fears and anxiety about ever finding that next job," said Quesnel. "This group will address the traditional job searching items—getting a resume together, cover letters, and interview preparation—while providing pointers and support on issues that are specific to job seekers in their 50s and older."

Some of the topics covered include: working for bosses younger than you; identifying and emphasizing your most marketable experience and skills; what to wear and not to wear for an interview; what skills you can acquire in fairly short order that will make 50-something job seekers more attractive to employers in today's job market; utilizing social media for optimum effectiveness; ageism; effective networking; and more.

In addition to helping job seekers hone their presentation skills, the meeting also has a collective wisdom/support group element as well.

"The people who have attended our pilot meetings have been in their 50s, 60s and even 70s. Many have been executives at companies and were at salaries of $80k and above. They have bills to pay, children to support, parents who need assistance and much more. This group helps attendees realize they are not alone, that there are other people in your peer group who feel your pain," said Quesnel. "Yet the meetings are far from a commiseration but more of a sounding board to lend an ear when necessary and to help job seekers stay focused on the prize: landing the next job."

Coach DQ also emphasizes, with numerous examples, how being unemployed in your 50s is not a career death sentence. For all the layoffs-- State Street, MassMutual, the Boston Globe, Fidelity, FM Global and PartyLite--and downsizing going on due to mergers—e.g. Dell/EMC--Quesnel thinks the skill sets possessed by many 50-somethings translate very well in many industries and with start-ups.

"A lot of start-ups are based on an idea or concept. You still need to have to put an organization in place and hire and engage a staff to successfully run a company that markets or sells that idea or concept. So, there are any number of areas—human resources, sales, marketing, administration—where old school knowledge and people skills can be a tremendous asset. Most 50-somethings started in the workplace long before e-mail, texting and even the Internet. Many have the interpersonal and people skills that are valuable in organizations of all sizes," said Coach DQ.

The Massachusetts Council on Aging's Hopkinton group meets on the second and fourth Thursday of the month, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Hopkinton Senior Center on Aging, 28 Mayhew Street, Hopkinton, MA. The next meeting is on Thursday, October 20. The cost to attend is $5 and no advance registration is required. If you have questions, you can contact Dawn Quesnel at DQ@CoachDQ.com or call 617-755-8611.

Additionally, the Massachusetts Council on Aging sponsors four other groups for 50-plus job seekers. Those locations include: Bedford Town Center, 12 Mudge Way, Bedford, MA, first and third Wednesdays, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Barnstable Council on Aging, 825 Falmouth Road, Hyannis, MA, first and third Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; and Mashpee Senior Center, 26 Frank E. Hicks Drive, Mashpee, MA; first and third Thursdays, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. There's also a Halifax/Marshfield group that meets on the first Thursday, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Halifax Council on Aging at 499 Plymouth Street, Halifax, MA and the third Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Marshfield Council on Aging, 230 Webster Street, Marshfield, MA. Cost to attend these meetings is also $5 per meeting.

About Coach DQ

Award-winning Career Life Coach & Job Search Strategies Guru Dawn Quesnel is passionate about helping sales, marketing, and creative entrepreneurs to through job changes, raises and promotions!  Affectionately known as Coach DQ, she takes clients through a dynamic methodology she developed called B.R.I.D.G.E.Ó  "To Help You Bridge the Gap from Where You Are Now, to Where You Want To Be."  Building upon her previous background and experience as an Executive Recruiter, Dawn designed the BRIDGE Methodology to coach job seekers to:

Become more clear on the type of role you're targeting

Research

Identify your Targets

Develop your Contacts

Get a Game Plan

Execute and evaluate your plan

For more information, visit http://www.coachdq.com.