How many people confide in a friend that they have butterflies in their stomach before an interview? Almost everyone you know? You probably understand just what they’re feeling because you’ve had the same experience.

Irene, 60 years old and a senior policy adviser at a government environmental protection agency, wants to keep leading major projects and feels she is on a trajectory opposite that of others her age who are thinking about retirement. She has to stay current to be considered for those leadership roles.

Here are some suggestions to help you grow personally and increase your value on the job:

• Find out about recent technology or computer software in related fields that is having an impact on the way a job is done or analyzed.
• Read industry...