Q&A: Creating an Electronic Portfolio and Learning New Tools

I’m hoping you can give me a suggestion or two for targeting my current employment search.

I’m a 55 year-old boomer (with GenX tendencies) with a masters degree in engineering, and quite a number of years of consulting experience, mainly in telecom and IT. I enjoyed my choice of projects, for the most part, from 1991 through 2001. Because of rapid changes in the global economy and technology, I have been increasingly running into what seem to be a pattern of roadblocks to gainful employment.  For instance, many of the job opportunities I’m interested in now seem to require electronic portfolios or samples, and/or a variety of development tools which I have yet to learn.  Moreover, job designs have changed drastically.  In addition, since almost all of my work samples are not of the online variety, I can’t seem to get past the recruiter, gatekeeper, or the first phone interview.  I suspect that there are generational forces at work, as it seems many of these first contacts are with Gen Xers who don’t seem to understand what I can bring to their organizations.  I am willing to make changes to get a different result.  Should I get some coaching and support to create an electronic portfolio that can compete in today’s marketplace?  If I do invest the required time and effort, how can I be sure that I will be seriously considered? It’s clear to me that in many instances I’m competing with, or looking to be hired by, Gen Xers who may not see the potential that I see.  Should I take a different approach altogether, and if so, what should that approach be?  Am I looking in the right places?  How can I increase my chances of success?  I appreciate any suggestions.

PS:  I don’t plan on retiring, ever.  I am extremely intelligent, focused, productive, and motivated.  That’s part of why this experience is so very frustrating for me, in contrast with much of my prior work history.

Josephine