|
||||||
|
||||||
|
Over 50 And Changing Careers? You'd Better Have a PlanOver 50 And Changing Careers? You'd Better Have a PlanBy Kent Johnson Like it or not, if you're over 50 and changing careers, you're going to face some challenges that younger workers aren't accustomed to. There's an unspoken bias out there against older workers – at least in many companies - and unless you plan ahead and are prepared to meet that bias head on, you could be in for a long and frustrating job search. For many employers, “older” workers mean trouble. The perception is that workers over 50 will have more health problems, will miss more work days, will be more forgetful and make more mistakes on the job, and will cost more to insure. There's also the belief that an employer will have to pay an older worker more, and that they'll get less for their investment when the worker retires or moves on. And perhaps the worst bias that older job seekers have to face is the idea that they're “dinosaurs,” or some kind of museum relic that's out of touch with the needs of modern business. And what's surprising is that many of the employers who feel this way are over 50 themselves! Now an employer isn't going to come out and tell you that you're too old for the job – that kind of discrimination is illegal, after all. You're more likely to hear something like “Your overqualified for the position,” or “We're looking for an entry-level worker to fill this post.” And this comes at a time when people are living longer, more productive lives than ever before. A man or woman in good health today can expect to live to be 76 years old. And with the elimination of pension plans in most corporations, and the fall back of the stock market in recent years, many employees will have to work well beyond the traditional retirement age of 65. So what are older job seekers supposed to do? Well first off, you need to acknowledge the challenge but don't let it discourage you. Many companies are hiring workers over 50, and some of them actually prefer “mature” employees because of their experience and dependability. So you can still find a job, but it will probably a little longer than you were expecting. And many older workers are skipping the job search all together in favor of starting their own businesses or moving into freelancing opportunities. Some are turning long-time hobbies into full-time businesses. In fact, a lot of these folks see a career change late in life as an opportunity to explore their passions and do things they've always wanted to do. No matter which path you choose to take, you'll need to sit down and formulate a plan of action. If you decide that you want to seek a new job instead of starting your own business, here are some tips to help you get started: -- Seek out companies that are actively hiring older workers. One good place to start is on the AARP website - www.AARP.org - which has links to companies who are seeking workers over 50. -- Look for openings at smaller companies. Smaller firms tend to be more open to hiring older workers, and your experience may be more valuable here than in a larger corporation. -- Network. This is just as important for older job-seekers as it is for younger ones. Spread the word that you're looking to change jobs or careers. Tell family and friends. And search on the Internet for companies in your area that look promising. -- Use your resume to your advantage. If you have college degrees, list them, but don't give the date when they were awarded. You only need to go back 15 or 20 years when listing past jobs, and it's best to only include experience that pertains to the job you're seeking. -- Be positive during your interview. Highlight your experience and positive attributes. Be sure to tell the interviewer about your past accomplishments. Project an air of youthfulness, and make it clear that you intend to work for the company for a long time. And most of all, don't get discouraged. Just remember that Colonel Sanders didn't launch his fried chicken empire until he was 65 years old, and George Burns re-invented himself as a movie actor at age 80. There are lots of opportunities for older workers, you just have to stay positive and keep trying. About the author: Kent Johnson - author, publisher, career coach. "Helping people realize their dreams one career at a time." Your Dream Career.com - your source for career tips and info ==> http://your-dream-career.com Circulated by Article Emporium Over 50 And Changing Careers? You'd Better Have a Plan Over 50 And Changing Careers? You'd Better Have a Plan By Kent Johnson Like it or not, if you're over 50 and changing careers, you're going to face some challenges that younger workers aren't accustomed to. There's an unspoken bias out there against old... Advance Your Nursing Career Work As An Independent Nurse Contractor Many nurses today are frustrated with their work situation. Are you one of them? If so, it is time you take control and make that first step. Quit thinking about a change ...DO IT ...quit saying I am going too... DO IT...quit day dreaming ....DO IT. Now is the time to expand ... How to Hire a Freelancer Using Elance If you have a project that you need to outsource but don't know where to turn, Elance might be your solution. Elance connects businesses with a pool of professional providers from around the globe. When you post a project on Elance, providers compete against each other to give you ... Chicken Soup for Job Seekers Do you want to change your job but don't know the right way to go about it? Are you vacillating between waiting for your dream job or accepting the first one that comes your way? Or are you a fresher falling in line with what your parents wish you to be rather than what you wish to... TAKE THIS CAREER AND SHOVE IT – IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION! Are you listening to that little voice in your head telling you how much you dislike your job? If not, you may become angry with those around you, when in fact, you'll be angry at yourself for failing to taking the necessary steps to change your career -- or job within th... Career Discovery - Pinpoint Your Ideal Career Career Discovery - Pinpoint Your Ideal Career Determine your ideal career--one that's in alignment with your values, passions, and talents--and discover the work you were born to do Career discovery is the process by which a person identifies thei... GRADUATING WITH A PLAN OF ACTION Congratulations, you've just graduated with a degree in your chosen field. So what's your next step going to be to launch your long-anticipated career? Like a young racehorse at the starting gate, you have tons of energy and determination, and are anxious to get ... Advance Your Nursing Career Work As An Independent Nurse Contractor Many nurses today are frustrated with their work situation. Are you one of them? If so, it is time you take control and make that first step. Quit thinking about a change ...DO IT ...quit saying I am going too... DO IT...quit day dreaming ....DO IT. Now is the time to expand ... How to Tie a Tie: 3 Tips to Enhance Your Job Interview Attire If someone asks you "what's the most important part of your job interview attire?", what would you answer? The suit? The shirt? The shoes? Perhaps. But did you know that the tie, to your outfit, is what the focal point is to a picture? The shirt is the canvas and the suit ... Get Dressed and Get Hired Tying a tie properly may tie you to your next employer. A properly tied tie is essential to a good first impression. With the recent outcry regarding athletes wearing flip-flops to the White House, it's apparent that a review of socially acceptable fashion rules is needed. The Internet is an absolute goldmine of information, but knowing where to start and how to judge the accuracy of the information you access is a skill that can be learnt in no time. A golden rule of Internet research is to always begin at the beginning and that usually me... HOW HR WORKS TO GET THE JOB DONE Human Resources is just what it says: resources for humans – within the workplace! Its main objective is to meet the organizational needs of the company it represents and the needs of the people hired by that company. In short, it is the hub of the organization serving as a liaison... Stressed Out? It Might Be Your Job Stressed Out? It Might Be Your Job “I'm stressed out.” If you find yourself thinking--or saying--this to yourself on a regular basis, you might have a real problem on your hands. Job and career related stress has been on the rise in recent years, as o... Correct Credit Card Use Having a credit card has become the norm in today's society. If you have a flippant attitude and don't use your credit card in the correct manner then you could unwittingly become deep in debt without realizing it or the implications. Looking at ways in which you can get the best u... Job Search Tips for Hispanic Job Seekers Finding a job has become much more of a challenge in recent years. Using the Internet as an additional resource will increase your options to find many great job opportunities, which are not always advertised in the newspaper. Many employers will place an online advertisement in co...
|
|
|||||
|
||||||