Thanks to Abby Locke (respected resume writer & career coach and good friend!) for sharing these provocative questions and suggestions to help women succeed and earn what they’re worth. Well worth a look whatever your gender or educational level!
Great Advice for Women MBAs … and anyone else
I paid my way through school as an older adult who still has many years to go before I reach full-retirement age. I will have my undergraduate and Masters in Accounting paid off when I am in my mid-70’s if I am lucky. I didn’t do it for something fun to do, to fill my time, or to work part-time or contract. I really want to get in the game and have a full- or more-than-full- time job/career. I still have to take the CPA exams but during interviews they continually act like I should pay for that too. Yet most, younger candidates get the company to pay for it. So with all the different groups obtaining all the tax breaks, who’s going to pay the taxes. Any suggestions of how to get over the hurdle. Many others don’t want to hire MBA’s and college grads. It was easier to obtain work with a HS diploma. Where do 50-somethings with no kids or military find satisfying work until full retirement age?
Hi, Deborah – thanks for sharing your experiences. I wish I could tell you specifically where to go/what to do, but there are no magical answers. My advice would be to focus 100% during your job search and interviews on what you can do for the company. For example, in the interview, you can emphasize that your accounting education is really up to date and you are aware of all the latest rulings/trends. Also indicate that you firmly intend to pursue your CPA because you want to be of greatest value to your employer. Don’t bring up the issue of who’s going to pay for it. Once hired, if your company has a policy of paying, then they’ll do so. If they don’t, you can ask for a special exemption and perhaps based on your great work you’ll get it, If not, you’ll have to decide if you’re willing to foot the bill yourself.
The same strategy applies to age and experience. Let them know how your experience benefits them, the intangibles you offer that a 22-year-old doesn’t have (not in so many words… you don’t want to dis the competition, just promote your own advantages!).
What companies DON’T want to hear is any sense of entitlement, bitterness, negativity, whining, etc. I’m not suggesting you are doing this! But concentrating on a positive, future-focused message all about value is the best approach.