Archive for January, 2009
That’s Some Granny House
Tuesday, January 27th, 2009
It’s not unusual for baby boomers to move their parents into a granny house. When that house is The White House, it’s another story. By now, it’s old news that Marian Robinson, Michelle Obama’s 71-year-old mother, has a room of her own. Robinson pulled up roots and left her Chicago home of 50 years to move in with "the kids."
Grandparents often share parenting responsibilities when their adult children struggle with illness, substance abuse or when called for military service. Unlike millions of Americans, the president and first lady can afford to hire a nanny. With all their resources, they called upon grandma to provide comfort and a modicum of normalcy for their young daughters. Her contribution is priceless.
It’s not by chance that baby boomers are called The Sandwich Generation. Many of us are sandwiched in the middle, caring for our children and for our parents. Sometimes we move in with them. Sometimes they move in with us. A few like Marian Robinson are given a golden opportunity to be of service. Nevertheless, whether we are caring for our parents, caring for our adult children, or caring for our grandchildren, intergenerational living is not always a scene from a Hallmark® commercial.
Adult children can feel infantilized when their parents move back in. Sometimes it’s the aging parents who feel like they’re 14. Older adults who are uprooted can suffer their own identity crisis as they leave behind familiar settings, social connections, comfortable routines and activities that add meaning to their lives.
Before embarking on this journey, talk with your parents or your adult children about your mutual expectations. Set clear boundaries on both sides. Honest communication is crucial for a smooth transition and a happy landing. Anticipate some of the dicey stuff and decide in advance how you’ll resolve any differences.
Be honest with everyone, including yourself. How much responsibility do you feel to care for those in your life? Is this your obligation or your choice? Do you ever feel victimized or put-upon? How do you honor those you love without dishonoring yourself?
With apologies to Simon and Garfunkel, "Here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson," and to all the other grandmas (and grandpas) who are the glue that holds so many fragile families together.
For the record: I know that at 71, Robinson is not technically a baby boomer, but she is a highly visible role model for many of us who are 50-plus.
Dec Newsletter
Wednesday, January 21st, 2009If you missed our Dec newsletter, you can read the archived version by clicking here.
Good News/Bad News
Friday, January 9th, 2009The Good News: I just opened a piece of mail addressed to my mother-in-law. She has been approved to receive an assessment for career training at a technical school in her area. She may even qualify for training as an electrician, a plumber or an automotive technician. The trade school promises financial assistance and help finding a job.
The Bad News: My mother-in-law died in February. On the school enrollment form, the box was checked indicating that she had been approved to take an assessment. I wonder what it would have taken for her to be rejected (the box that was not checked)? The form listed a number she could call to find out more about her options. I’d say her options are pretty limited at this point.
When a loved one dies, we painfully remove his or her name from various accounts and pieces of correspondence. I know that many of these organizations buy mailing lists or cull names from phone books. They can’t be expected to fact-check or perform due diligence. Nevertheless, their intrusive junk mail can still hit a nerve.
What’s the worse example of ill-timed correspondence you ever received?
Is Your Resume Bulletproof?
Friday, January 2nd, 2009
Do you know what things you should NEVER include on your resume? You probably know not to list your Social Security number, but do you know some of the other mistakes that can torpedo your chance of landing an interview?
Many employers use document-scanning technology to match job seekers with their current job openings. Even if a company requests that you mail your resume, they may still store the incoming resumes from job applicants in a computer so that they can run electronic searches based on keywords. If they can’t read your resume, you’ll never get the chance to strut your stuff.
These days, you need to have two versions of your resume. Create one in a scannable format with detailed descriptions for the computer to read. You can bring a second resume to your interview. This version can include a more creative layout, but it should still be clean, uncomplicated and easy-to-read.
To prepare a scanner-friendly resume, do not use bullet points, asterisks, italics, boxes, graphics, underlining, horizontal or vertical lines. Line up the points without any symbols. Fancy formatting looks funky, like when you try to disguise a swear word. Be sure to include a keyword summary of your skills.
For articles, tips and links to help you prepare a winning resume, visit the HirePotential.com website and click on the link to Employment Resources. You’ll learn how to make sure your resume is scannable so it does not end up in the circular file. For tips about highlighting your skills and showcasing your relevant experience, read their article on The Effective Resume.