Finding a new job after 50 isn’t without its difficulties. There are also benefits for hiring an older worker. This is why, as an older candidate for employment, you should be aware of prejudices, barriers and misinformation to ensure you impress the employer you’ll be working for with the relevant and valuable work experience you have.
This guide will show you how to find a decent job post 50 and assist you in understanding what’s happening on the employment market for those who are older.
How to Find A Job after 50 Years of Service
Many have to look to find a job in life. I’d love to say it’s simple. There are obstacles, some internal and others external which make the job search difficult for those who are over 50.
Let’s first examine the situation on the employment market for those over 50, so that you can understand the current situation.
The number of workers over 50 is growing
We live longer, being more mindful of our health , and as a result, many people decided to remain in the workforce for longer (well beyond the typical retiree age of 65).
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted the participation rate of the labor force. rate to be:
” is expected to rise most rapidly for the older segment of the population, namely those aged 65 to 75 and 74–through 2024.”
Many professionals over 50 are in Management Roles
Additionally, those older than 50 typically reach their peak in their careers.
“Workers who are 55 or older were employed in all kinds of jobs in 2016 in the report of BLS. Over 42 percent them were employed in management, professional and related jobs and related occupations, which is slightly higher than the overall percentage of people.” BLS 2017
This doesn’t mean there’s not a brighter future for those who are older in managerial positions. However they may not want to be in an executive position. In the end, the majority of those 50 and over are searching for a new job either because of their choice or are forced into it due to downsizing. This typically affects older employees.
There are a lot of advantages to searching for a job after 50.
A worker over 50 brings expertise and knowledge to the workplace. They are also more likely to:
- Better leadership skills
- Work hard and have a positive attitude
- Work longer hours and have more days off
- Be more loyal employees
- Strong networks
If you’re thinking what you can do to find a job after age 50, and also show off the advantages of an older worker, you can follow these tips.
Tips to find a job after 50
Whatever the motive, starting the job hunt after a while is a process of some reflection and investigation. It’s not as simple to post your resume onto job search sites. In addition, the job search environment is changing. Recruiters are researching candidates online to get more information about their. Not having an LinkedIn profile or a positive online profile can harm older applicants. It could also increase the perception that older people aren’t skilled in technology.
Then why would employers not choose to hire a well-established professional with a wealth of experience? Good question. The following tips will aid you in understanding the frequently wrong reasoning of hiring managers and recruiters as well as how to find a decent job even after reaching 50.
1. Reconsider What’s Important
In the current stage of your career and in your life is likely that your priorities have changed. You might not be interested in to work at a high level of hours. Spend some time thinking about what is important for you at this time in your life, so that you can find the best jobs in the right kinds of companies.
The clients I’ve worked with frequently affirm that helping others or doing something positive is the most important thing to them. I’ve also worked with job candidates who were more concerned about flexibility in their work schedules.
Utilize your new values to look into the kinds of jobs and companies that could be appropriate for what you’re seeking. There is no reason to be stuck in the same job that you had previously. It’s commonplace for those who are over 50 to desire a different career path. It’s not the first time someone over 50 who’s decided to rethink their career goals.
There are a few things you ought to consider. Are you looking for:
- Are you more or less responsible?
- To help others and be a part of a non-profitorganization?
- Freedom to work from anywhere and be mobile?
- To work part-time?
- Are you looking to start your own company?
- A way to stay entertained until you are retired
You’ll have a myriad of choices to pick from. Therefore, the first step should be to decide the criteria you’re looking for.
2. Know what you are looking for
HR and recruiters don’t make matches. They assign people to clearly specific roles. In your interactions as well as on your marketing materials for job searches (resume or cover letter as well as LinkedIn profiles) you should be clear about the job titles you’re seeking. The reason I use the word “role” is because different companies do not employ the same job title.
Your previous employer might have named you Marketing Manager, however other businesses might call it the New Business Development Manager or Sales Manager or Business Intelligence Manager.
Engaging with friends and acquaintances can aid in getting clarity in a manner that is more secure. Your circle of friends may be aware of openings or provide introductions. Therefore, it’s crucial to engage in conversations.
3. Talk to each other
People over 50 have an advantage over younger job seekers. There’s a lot of contacts in your circle and they can be your key to finding a new job.
A majority of job seekers are using job boards on the internet to find jobs. Although it seems to be the most obvious option but it’s not the most preferred method used to hire employers. Actually, more jobs are filled via the referral process than from any other method. This means you’ll be able to leverage the potential of your extensive network to ease the way for a job interview.
Engaging in conversations with former acquaintances, vendors, colleagues and even family members provide you with the chance to discuss the exact thing you’re seeking.
If you are embarrassed or embarrassed that you’re seeking an opportunity to work from this stage within your professional career. It is important to know that millions of older people are finding themselves in a jobless state later in their lives. It’s not just you.
4. Be aware of where you want to Work
It’s equally important to determine the type of companies you’d prefer to be employed by. It is usually known as an “aim list. Your choice could be based on the area, industry, reputation/culture and size, or any other factor.
It will allow you to build a stronger network by making the list of 40-50 companies that you would want to investigate. When you meet with people, it is advisable to seek out introductions to people who work for one of the companies listed on your list, or inquire whether they have any information about the businesses.
5. Be prepared to overcome “You’re too expensive”
It’s not considered costly if you assist your employer resolve their issues quickly or at a lower cost. An advantage to being an older worker is that you’ve had expertise in saving companies money by streamlining processes and increasing efficiency. Be sure to provide those examples and discuss how you can attain similar outcomes for your next employer.
Employers are required to have budgets and pay bands for every job. The pay ranges may differ depending on the size of the company and also by industry. It’s your responsibility to conduct your own salary research so that you know what ranges apply to the job you’re pursuing. Your final salary might not be comparable to the salaries of other companies.
6. You’re perfectly qualified, not Overqualified
If you’ve had twenty years or more of experience, and the job description only requires five or fewer years of experience, you’re not qualified.
The most common worry when hiring someone who might be unqualified is that they’ll become dissatisfied or bored and quit. If you’re not prepared to work harder (for less money) do not bother applying for this type of job.
Remember it is true that more opportunities at lower levels of a business and less senior positions. Senior positions tend to be filled by the promotion of internal candidates. This is why it’s essential for you to connect with business insiders.
If you’re truly looking to retire from your current responsibilities or move into a new business at an entry level it is important to mention this in your first conversation or email.
It is possible to present this in the form of “I’m looking to pursue the position of”X” since it takes me back to the work I was most excited about.” It could be becoming more connected to the client and observing the results or working with a group of people who are similar to you or whatever your motivation is. Focus on the exact skills/talents/abilities the employer is looking for.
7. Don’t make the mistake of saying I’ve been there Done That, Don’t Say Been There
You’ve certainly “been in that position and accomplished that” however your knowledge and knowledge can be viewed as intimidating. Do you want to explain what you did the right way? Instead of focusing only on your prior successes assist your potential boss see that you’re open to innovative concepts.
Disruption and innovation are now the new buzzwords of companies. Companies are searching for people who can take them to the next step. This requires older job seekers to be acquainted with cutting-edge technology, novel ways of working, and to not be afraid to experiment with new concepts.
8. Speak Technology
It’s not enough just to say that you “learn new technologies quickly.” Companies need individuals who can apply new methods or tools. Are you confident enough in the technology to speak with your potential employer about how they could make use of it or adapt it to enhance their business operations?
The best method to learn how vital software is to an organization is to speak with someone in the organization. If you find that it’s crucial, you’ll need to know all you can about the software through taking a look at Youtube videos, attending classes and gaining access to the software.
9. Be Relevant and Show Yourself
Are your skills fresh? Are you a life-long-learner? It’s easy to get focussed on our job that we neglect to pull into the world to look at the work of other companies as well as keep track of new techniques and trends in our field.
One of the most effective ways to stay informed about what’s happening in your industry is to keep up-to-date with industry news, maintain an association membership or take part in classes. It’s also a good idea to build your personal image and brand image by being published in trade publications as well as attending conferences and being invited to appear on live streaming or podcast shows.
10. Set Goals
Another issue with people over 50 is that they want to slack off for the remaining years of work. Employers would like to see you’re dedicated to your job and will do the job right.
They don’t care if they’ll be working for their company for 10 or more years However, they want to see that you’re excited about your work in the job you’re applying for. It’s up to you to demonstrate to the employer that you’re keen to work for them , and not only in the job to make a profit.
11. Show that you’re flexible
Are you able to implement rapid modifications? Do you have the courage to embrace innovative ideas? Flexibility and adaptability are crucial capabilities in today’s workplace, where things are changing quickly. Include on your resume and on your LinkedIn experiences section about occasions when you’ve needed to adjust, change or reinvent yourself.
12. Work with Younger Workers
It is likely that you will to be older than colleagues, but age is only a number. Demonstrate that you’re an educator and collaborator with everyone of all ages and levels.
As an experienced professional placing your skills to communicate with all kinds of persons is something that you have greater experience with than many others. This skill should shine through and be aware that it could be an asset to any future employer.
13. Make your resume more attractive
To avoid being perceived as outdated or unimportant Your resume should to appear as though it was designed in the last few years. One of the most effective methods to refresh your resume is to update the font you are using to a more contemporary font that is more contemporary, like Ariel as well as Calibri.
Another thing that makes you look old is a hotmail or yahoo email address. Make the switch to a Gmail account. It is also possible to eliminate these sections from your resume: an objective statement , and “references are available upon the request of.”
For more suggestions on how could be done to improve your resume a fresh style, check out contemporary resume examples online. Take note of styles of resumes by the industry and the type of job.
There are a few other things you can do to refresh your resume.
First, you must remove graduation dates from schools longer than 5 years old. (Recent dates for education are great!) Then, you might need to trim your resume after 10 to 15 years. If you’ve been employed by one firm for longer than fifteen years, you should consider listing only the positions you which you held within the most recent 15 years. Only put dates beside the job titles and not the entire term of your employment. The truth is, your most recent work experience is the one that employers are most attracted to. It is a reflection of what you’re capable of in the present.
In the end, you should include instances and stories that highlight the abilities mentioned above. Make sure you include more achievements at your most recent job and also spend much less space previous job descriptions.
14. Utilize LinkedIn to leverage
LinkedIn is much more than just an online resume. It’s an effective platform for meeting new people, engage in conversations and to learn. Spend time updating the information on your LinkedIn profile. Ensure that you’re regularly commenting on or sharing updates and are communicating with people you have met and have gotten to meet.
15. Master Interview Preparation
If you’re in the stage of interviewing for your the job hunt, it’s time to put these strategies into practice. The entire interview process beginning with your answer”tell me about yourself” to ” tell me about your personal life,” to “why do you want to be in this company” to the kinds of questions you’ll be asked, all of it will help the interviewer know that you’re not a stereotypical Boomer.
Here are a few additional tips to make sure you are prepared for the interview. Get familiar with video interview technology prior to your interview. Review your attire, hairstyle and eyeglasses to ensure that they make you appear modern. In your interview, show enthusiasm and energy (also prepare for the typical questions in a behavioral interview).
16. Plan and plan for a More Extensive search
The process may take longer than you would like and there are a few reasons to this:
The first is that there are less openings for the specific roles you’re looking for since there are fewer senior roles in companies. And second, it might be more difficult to justify the reason for your career change.
To aid you in planning for your next steps, an approximate figure will be one month’s job searching to every $10k you earn. That means that if you made $90,000 you’ll need to plan to search for 9 months for the perfect job.
Closing Thoughts
Finding out how to land an excellent job after the age of 50 can be a challenge in its own. However, the stereotypes and incorrect assumptions that employers have regarding older workers won’t be applicable on you, if you employ the tips and strategies described in the previous paragraphs.