Ageless Careers

I help Gen X and Baby Boomer job seekers to thrive in their careers through:
* 1:1 Coaching (Resumes, LinkedIn profile recommendations, Executive Bios)
* Ageless Careers Toolkit (courses designed to help you land a job faster)
* Ageless Careers Insider Weekly (weekly newsletter with actionable tips)

I've delivered webinars and in-person presentations on resume and LinkedIn best practices to corporations and universities including Asurion, the Carnegie Mellon University Alumni Association, and Point Park University.

I've been cited as a Top Resume Writing Voice on LinkedIn and a Career Expert in online and print resources including Fast Company, Forbes, LinkedIn News, Yahoo Finance, Bloomberg Businessweek, FlexJobs, and Best Colleges.

I've also delivered customized career coaching as part of the Pennsylvania Conference for Women.

Partnership opportunities: I also partner with companies looking to hire Gen X and Baby Boomer talent. Feel free to reach out if you have opportunities that you would like to share with the Ageless Careers community.

Sponsorship opportunities: Are you looking to gain awareness with Gen X/Baby Boomer executives? Reach out to discuss opportunities to sponsor the Ageless Careers Insider Weekly newsletter and/or reach my 65K+ LinkedIn followers through sponsored posts.

Founder | Executive Resume Writer | LinkedIn Profile Upgrades | Executive Bios

Colleen Paulson Consulting

I have generated 32M+ LinkedIn impressions since January 2023, adding 60,000+ LinkedIn followers, and was named one of the Top 200 LinkedIn Creators in the US and Top 200 Female LinkedIn Creators in the World.

I use the same strategies to help clients grow their presence on LinkedIn, optimizing client LinkedIn profiles, ghostwriting posts, and introduce posting strategies to maximize reach.

LinkedIn Consultant for Businesses & Executives

I've helped 1000+ executives and job seekers advance in their careers through insightful resumes, executive bios, LinkedIn profiles, and cover letters with a 99.9% client satisfaction rate.

I've delivered webinars and in-person presentations on resume and LinkedIn best practices to groups including the Carnegie Mellon University Alumni Association and Point Park University.

I've been cited as a Top Resume Writing Voice on LinkedIn and a Career Expert in online and print resources including Forbes, LinkedIn News, Yahoo Finance, Bloomberg Businessweek, FlexJobs, and Best Colleges.

I've also delivered customized career coaching as part of the Pennsylvania Conference for Women.

Career Consultant | Resumes, LinkedIn, Cover Letters, Interviewing Expertise

I have published work in a variety of newspapers, magazines, and online resources including The Motley Fool, Investopedia, Businessweek.com, Ivy Exec, Thrive Global, Ellevate, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Multichannel Merchant magazine, and Woman Engineer magazine.

I've been cited for my career advice and investment analysis in top websites including Yahoo Finance, LinkedIn News, MSN, CBS News, and The Australian.

I've also delivered ghostwriting expertise to small businesses across topics including finance, investing, and career/workforce development.

Freelance Writer | Business Ghostwriter

The ABplatform

The ABplatform is a suite of services that help companies and industry experts find each other and create high performing Advisory Boards.  We offer recruiting, onboarding, coaching, tools, and templates that you can use to build your Advisory Board, and build your business.

Advisory Board Member

Glassdoor

I wrote weekly posts for Glassdoor's Technology Bowl, sharing market trends and discussing current events with tech professionals.

Content Creator

Randstad USA

Randstad RiseSmart is the leading provider of outplacement and talent mobility services for organizations in more than 40 industries and 80 countries. 

As a Randstad RiseSmart Career Coach, I expertly coached clients on their job search strategy and provide mock interviews, interview preparation, video interviewing, offer evaluation, salary negotiation coaching, as well as information on networking best practices and LinkedIn. Coaching was provided through a customized 1:1 approach with full support throughout their job search journey.

Career Coach | Job Search Consultant

CEO Connection

I built relationships with Mid-Market CEOs, understanding their goals and connecting them with potential board roles. I also curated networking opportunities including Board Connection Receptions, and cultivated strategic alliances with Private Equity firms, start-ups, and other advisory contacts.

Board Connection Director

Carnegie Mellon University - Tepper School of Business

I evaluated 1000+ applicants on 6 continents for a Top 20 MBA program, reviewing resumes, work experience, test scores, undergraduate grades, and essays to identify top candidates and forecast student success. I interviewed global candidates remotely and in-person utilizing behavioral interviewing techniques.

I was also part of the team establishing admissions standards for MSPM (Master of Science in Product Management) degree offering.

External Reader / Interviewer

The Motley Fool

I contributed 175+ articles with a focus on the consumer products industry, predicting trends and conducting in-depth financial analysis of top companies.

Contributor / Analyst

FedEx

I served as an instrumental part of the team driving global air/ground transportation revenue and volume growth through strategic pricing programs for Fortune 500 customers with shipping revenues exceeding $100 million.  Key accomplishments include:​

* Established price points and created cost-based analysis model for new FedEx Express (Last Mile) product offering

* Developed strategic pricing programs for current and potential customers, evaluating shipping metrics of customers and determining margins for pricing programs using excel-based models

* Elevated corporate revenues and profits, collaborating with sales directors to develop customer prospects and pricing strategies for 20+ Fortune 500 customers

* Owned major intranet-based pricing system, enhancing level and quality of pricing data in corporate databases, and expanding system capabilities to include new business units

* Recipient of FedEx Global Marketing Rising Star award and two Bravo Zulu awards for outstanding contributions

* Proficient in various pricing methodologies, including market and cost-based pricing methods

Senior Marketing Analyst, Strategic Pricing & Business Analysis

Procter & Gamble

I directed all aspects of production for 2 manufacturing lines making over 1.5 million cases of consumer products per year, leading a team of 30. Accomplishments include:

* Improved overall profit margin by 10% through increasing line production speed while concurrently reducing maintenance and personnel expenses, with an emphasis on lean manufacturing principles

* Generated cost savings of $1 million through improving existing processes and consolidating product manufacturing to one North American site. 

* Reduced level of quality defects by 50% while increasing equipment speed by 30%

* Increased brand production capacity by 10% through directing installation and start-up of production equipment

Manager/Technical Engineer

Want to up your game on LinkedIn?
Need an new resume or executive bio?
How about an expert presentation on ageism in the workplace?

I can help with all of that!

I deliver a wide range of services including:
* Executive resumes, executive bios, and LinkedIn profile upgrades
* LinkedIn strategies for small businesses and executives
* Business writing about ageism, workforce trends, and job search strategies
* Presentations/webinars on a variety of topics including ageism and LinkedIn/resume best practices

A little about me: I'm a 5x career changer who has skill-stacked my way from engineering into career consulting.

I started my career with Procter & Gamble as an Engineer/Production Manager, learning not only about consumer products, but also gaining key insights into leadership and career development. 

In my early 20s, I helped P&G move its manufacturing operations from Greenville, NC to Belleville, Ontario. I lived in Canada for 3 years and managed multi-million dollar projects and operations, managing a team of 30 in my Production Manager role. After earning my MBA, I worked in strategic marketing for FedEx, setting prices and forecasting profits for Fortune 500 customers and establishing price points for a new transportation product offering.

After my time in Corporate America, I pivoted and launched my own writing/consulting business. I served as a Contributor/Analyst for The Motley Fool for 4 years and have been cited as an industry expert by major news organizations and job search sites including Fast Company, Forbes, CBS News, Yahoo Finance, MSN, LinkedIn News, and FlexJobs. 

I have remained on-trend for career development best practices through my additional consulting work including:

* External Reader / Interviewer for Carnegie Mellon's Tepper School of Business for 7 application seasons, evaluating 1000+ applicants on 6 continents

* Board Connection Director for CEO Connection, connecting Mid-Market CEOs with board seats and participating in our "How to Get on a Board" Workshop

* Career coaching/outplacement services with Randstad RiseSmart

* Advisory board member for TheABplatform

* Glassdoor Expert/Content Creator Program Manager

My proudest professional accomplishment is my involvement in saving our local pool. As Board President of the Brook Park Swim Club, I worked with our community to turn a projected $70K deficit into a surplus within 12 months, protecting this community asset for our children. 

Reach out (colleen@agelesscareers.com) and let me know how I can help you to reach your goals.

Colleen Paulson

"I'm 62 & have at least 5 good years of work left."

I've heard from 1000s of job seekers in their 50s, 60s, and beyond within the past few years. Folks often lead with their age when they reach out, as if they should apologize for wanting to work.

Listen, you don't have to apologize to anyone if you want (or need) to keep working into your 60s and beyond.

Most of us don't have a guaranteed pension and won't be retiring in our 50s. My data shows that 90% of us plan to work into our 60s and 25% of us plan to never retire.

However, if you're 50+ and navigating the job market, you’re not imagining it: ageism is real. 66% of workers have seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace according to a 2025 AARP survey.

With that said, I'm seeing folks in their 50s and 60s land great jobs (even in this challenging market). I recently had a client in his late 60s land his "dream job" as an IT analyst, countering the ageism that can be so prevalent in tech - so yes, you can position yourself as the leading candidate, regardless of age.

Here's how to get started:
* Keep networking (let people know you are looking)
* Write an "ageless" resume (with quantified results)
* Build a LinkedIn presence (so recruiters find you)
* Stay confident (you can do this - I promise)

Focus on what you can control. And please, don't lose that confidence. Any company would be lucky to have you.

ps: If you are hiring, please review your practices. Are you interviewing candidates over the age of 60? How about candidates over the age of 50? If not, why?

#ageism

Advising 50-plus executives on career & LinkedIn strategy | 87K+ going ageless | Ex-P&G, FedEx | Featured by CNBC, Business Insider, Forbes, & Fast Company

Workers ages 65+ spend an average of 7 more weeks unemployed than those 25-34, according to recent BLS data. That's nearly 2 extra months of searching based on age alone. 

Why? Ageism and outdated assumptions about experienced workers are still part of the narrative, unfortunately. 

AARP and LinkedIn are trying to bust these myths with real data demonstrating that hiring workers who are 50+ is a true strategic advantage.

Here's what they found: workers who are 50+ have increased their disruptive tech skills by 25% over the last 5 years. So, we're continuing to learn and adapt to all of the new technology that's coming down the road (not a surprise - we've always adapted in the past, why wouldn't we keep doing so?).

When it comes to retention, the data is even more striking. Among employees hired in June 2024, 85.4% of workers 50+ were still with their employer one year later compared with just 70.6% of younger hires. 

Workers who are 50+ also have 20% larger (and more senior) networks, which means more mentorship, expertise, and opportunity flowing into businesses.

Despite all of this, experienced workers still face longer job searches. 

Here's the thing: many of us want (and need) to work into our 50s, 60s, and beyond. My polls here on LinkedIn show that 90% of workers plan to work into their 60s and that 25% plan to never retire. 

So, if you're hiring, you've got to ask yourself: Are you interviewing people older than 60? How about candidates over 50? If not, why?

#ageism #futureofwork

Shelley Piedmont, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

You've spent years building real expertise. You've solved many problems and delivered great results. But when it comes time to talk about what you do, whether you're considering a career change or sitting in an interview, you can't quite put your finger on what makes you valuable. You know you're good at what you do, but you can't clearly explain why or how that matters to someone else.You're struggling because you've never stepped back to truly understand what your experience adds up to and how to talk about it in a way that makes sense to someone else.I was a recruiter for 20 years, which means I've interviewed thousands of leaders. I've also coached 400+ mid-career professionals through career transitions and interview prep.What I've learned is this: most people know what they're good at. They don't know how to talk about it.I work with people in two situations:1) You're thinking about a career change.You know you need something different, but you're stuck. You're worried your experience won't translate. You're scared of starting over or taking a pay cut. You don't know how to explore options without blowing up your current stability.I help you figure out what actually makes sense for you, then show you how to talk about your background so it sounds like an asset, not a liability.2) You have interviews coming up, and you're not readyWhen you try to explain what you do, it either comes out as a rambling career history or three vague sentences. You leave interviews kicking yourself because you forgot to mention half your accomplishments.I teach you how to tell your story in a way that's clear, confident, and actually lands. The organization has a strategy; you should, too.Here's what's different about working with me:I've been on the other side of the table. I know what hiring managers are actually listening for. I know why some answers work and others fall flat.For example, everyone says they're a "strategic thinker," but almost no one shows how they think strategically or what results that thinking produces. That's the difference between an answer that sounds good and one that gets you hired."I was feeling very lost when we started. Shelley helped me organize my plan, understand my strengths, and put an actionable plan together. I now feel ready to move forward with purpose.""Shelley gave me different ways of looking at how I answer interview questions, which will help tremendously."Book a free consultation, and I'll show you what's getting lost in translation. Check out the link in my contact information.

Interview the Right Way Coach

Shelley Piedmont

A post this week claimed job seekers shouldn't be nervous in interviews. It got 279 comments, and many people pushed back hard.


What was the disconnect? The poster didn't account for what people are actually living through right now.

This was the reality from the comments:
—Single parents with rent due and Christmas approaching
—Professionals unemployed for 6+ months and behind on their mortgage
—Experienced workers over 50 constantly battling ageism 
—Talented people building portfolios at night, researching companies thoroughly, doing everything "right," but still getting ghosted

These people do not lack preparation or confidence. It's about a market that's crushing people, good people.

I'll be honest: I still get nervous in interviews.

My last interview was for an internal promotion. People who already knew my capabilities. Panel format, probing questions about my thinking and past decisions. I could feel my heart beating faster.

I acknowledged it. Did deep breathing and pushed through. I got the job. 

But those nerves were real, and I make no apology for them.

Here's what I've learned: Acknowledging nerves and pushing through is completely different from pretending they shouldn't exist in the first place.
Nerves don't mean you're unqualified. Often, they mean you care deeply about the opportunity and understand what's at stake.

The problem, as I see it, isn't nervous candidates: 

It's interview processes designed to intimidate rather than get to know you. It's interviewers who can't see talent past a few moments of anxiety. 
It's a market that treats people like cogs in a machine.

For hiring managers: You've felt nerves in the past (don't lie). Why are you creating a process so intimidating, then?

For job seekers: What's one thing that's helped you show up fully despite the nerves?

This market is testing everyone. Let's be real about it.

-----
I'm Shelley. I used to hire for companies, but now I advocate for YOU. My goal? Helping you find work that energizes instead of exhausts you.
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Shelley Piedmont🧭

Clarity↣Strategy↣Hired For Managers to VPs • Job Search Strategist & Interview Coach • Career Coach, Job Change Advisor & Resume + LinkedIn Advisor

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The Battle

Colleen Paulson

Shelley Piedmont

Followers

Posts

Engagements

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Performance ScoreColleen Paulson's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreShelley Piedmont's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Colleen Paulson

Shelley Piedmont

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Colleen Paulson's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreShelley Piedmont's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreColleen Paulson's LinkedIn Performance