Career Change After 50Changing careers when you’re over fifty can be a daunting prospect. However, whether you’re considering changing to a new career, have been displaced, or are re-entering the workplace, you do have good prospects of getting a job. With the Baby Boomers moving into their fifties and sixties, a lot more people are staying employed after retirement. This is probably going to be the fastest growing part of the the workforce in the years to come.Workers over fifty have an advantage over their younger counterparts – experience. You have acquired an impressive collection of skills, plus the wisdom and perspective to make good choices on the job. Older workers also know that they need to stick with a job. They are frequently more dependable, less likely to complain, and more productive than younger workers. It Really Is Never Too Late To Start It’s never too late to start a new career, but you should always have a plan. Identify your passions, and see if you can switch to a career that allows you to enjoy them. Many workers over fifty are in jobs that they are good at, but don’t necessarily enjoy. This is your chance to find one that you do enjoy. Remember to emphasize your skills and experience. Longevity of employment at one job is good, but without emphasis on your abilities, it won’t help you get the job. You have skills that younger employees don’t. Even if your current skill set doesn’t seem applicable to your new career, remember that your experience and knowledge can make you a better worker over all. Tip and Tricks When looking for a new job over fifty, there are some things you can do to help avoid discrimination because of your age. This kind of discrimination may occur because an employer thinks that older workers can’t keep up with changes in technology, or because they’re worried about medical bills. Regardless, it’s unlikely to be obvious, since age discrimination is illegal. An employer is more likely to tell you that they want to hire someone at entry level, or that they feel you’re overqualified, but what they mean is that they think workers over fifty are a liability.Fortunately, you have the ability to avoid this. Seek out companies that are known to actively hire older workers. The AARP website contains a list of these companies. Smaller companies are also more likely to be willing to hire an older worker, and are generally more flexible than large corporations. Is It All About Who You know, Not What You Know? We kind of yes and kind of no. Networking is just as important for older people looking for a job as it is for new college grads. Tell your family and friends that you’re interested in a career change, and see if they known anyone who is hiring in the field you want. Look on the Internet to find companies in the right field that might be good prospects. Remember that you can use employment agencies and temporary agencies to help find the right job for you. Tweak your resume Resumes used to be given in a single format. However, with the plethora of job types and different job seekers today, it makes more sense to present your resume in the most advantageous way. This lets you show your employer things about you that might not show up on an ordinary resume. For example, you only need to include experience that pertains to the job you’re looking for, and need only include dates insofar as they highlight your continuous work experience. This keeps dates from twenty or thirty years ago from jumping out and distracting the employer from your vital skills. PMA - Remember to be positive When you contact a company, when you’re in an interview, and when you’re searching, don’t allow yourself to feel that you’re too old for a career change. Be sure to tell interviewers about your past accomplishments, and make it clear that you’re not going to retire immediately upon being hired – you’re interested in an actual career change. Highlight your experience and your strengths. Remember that many people throughout history have decided to make a change in their lives after the age of fifty, and there’s no reason that you can’t do the same. Career change after fifty is no longer as difficult as it used to be. You may still find some employers who falsely believe that older workers are less efficient, but you have only to identify and avoid them. With the right strategy, you can find the job you’ve always wanted, no matter what what your age is. |