The power of mid- and late-career professionals in the workforce is an often overlooked gem. This blog aims to help established professionals recognize their assets, strengths, and unique experiences that they bring to any work setting. Remember, you are more ready than you think.

 Skills and Experiences

1. Administrative Experience

The treasures of administrative experience lie in the mastery of basic tasks and skills, a capability that established professionals possess in abundance. They have mastered tasks like document filing, organization-wide document distribution, note-taking during meetings, and managing multiple schedules. With a grasp of filing systems, multitasking, time management, and proactive team contributions, established professionals can seamlessly fit into an organizational structure without needing much guidance.

2. Management Experience

Management experience comes in two distinct flavors for mid- and late-career professionals: management of people and management of "things" (such as projects or resources). These professionals have usually spent years honing both these skills. Being fluent in discussing their experiences in budgeting, resource allocation, team building, and managing change, they can showcase their management experience as a valuable asset to potential recruiters and coworkers.

3. Supervisory Experience

Supervisory experience involves responsibility for the work of other professionals. Mid- and late-career professionals often have substantial experience in this area, handling tasks such as providing constructive feedback, evaluating performance, managing conflict, and resolving work disputes. Beyond administrative scheduling, they can effectively guide others to manage tasks and contribute to others' success.

4. Strategic Experience

Strategic experience, another asset mid- and late-career professionals often possess, involves aligning the purposes of individual work, team goals, and organizational objectives. Their mindset usually focuses on the organization’s core purposes, efficiencies, and inefficiencies. They know how to correct misalignments using the most effective resources available, providing valuable input for customer experiences, employee experiences, and financial decisions.

5. Leadership Experience

Leadership experience usually abounds in mid- and late-career professionals. Their leadership style typically fosters a motivating and inclusive atmosphere, valuing and respecting employees. They understand the dynamics of decision-making, sometimes requiring quick action and other times deliberation. This leadership often stems from open-minded thinking and builds over time, often extending beyond the workplace into community and civic roles.

6. Professional Network

A professional network is another powerful tool that mid- and late-career professionals build over time. This network comprises business and personal contacts gathered over years, offering a wealth of assistance, information, and business opportunities. A well-maintained professional network can be a significant asset to prospective employers, providing invaluable resources for business development.

7. Professional Credibility

Lastly, professional credibility is an essential aspect of an established professional's arsenal. Accumulated over years of experience, credibility manifests in being trustworthy, competent, genuine, respectful, and accountable. This reputation is one of the reasons why businesses that value credibility often favor mid- and late-career professionals.

In summary, the wealth of experience, skills, and credibility that mid- and late-career professionals bring to the table is invaluable. It's time we recognized this untapped potential and understood the integral role they play in a successful workforce. If you work in data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or advanced analytics, always remember that everyone has to start someplace, and you are more ready than you may think.