How to get a job after 50
Life seems to be thriving with endless opportunities when you’re in your prime. Your mind’s still sharp; your body’s still fit. But for people who are going in their 50s, things just seem to slow down. Most of them have this insecurity that they’re no longer as aggressive as they used to be. For people who lose their jobs at this age, it is utterly distressing to start from scratch. To make matters worse, some employers stereotype people of this age group to have decreased abilities and skills. All hope is not lost; you need not wallow in self-pity. You surely can use your age as a leverage to get a job. Here are the things that you can do to be able to get a job after 50.
1) Create a compelling resume.
Even when you’re past midlife, you can still convince your prospective employer that you’re the right fit for the job position by creating a resume that showcases all the strengths that you can bring in to the company. Prove to them that they no longer need to spend so much money on training and retaining someone else by telling them about your efficiency and loyalty.
2) Age proof your resume.
Although age is one of the things that you should never be asked during an interview, you don’t want to give your prospective employers an impression that you’re “too old” for the job. So leave out your date of birth when writing your resume. If you’re wary about the timeline of your graduation and previous job experiences giving away your age, don’t include their dates. Be careful not to put the actual number of years of service in your previous job experiences.
3) Assess your skills and look for other ways to apply them.
Here’s a story: an accountant working for a publishing company for 25 years was laid off at age 60. But after assessing his skills, he realized he was good at organizing and managing people and developing work schedules. He then made extensive networking and landed a job in a community welfare center running livelihood programs. Take a close look at your skills – you might find use for them in other fields of work.
4) Never quit.
Some aging people think that when they get laid off, it is a signal for them to take some time to rest. But the longer it takes for them to get back to work, the more depressed and frustrated they would feel. The trick is just to keep on looking for a job. Be relentless on your search.
5) Extend and maintain your network.
It pays to have established contacts in all the jobs that you’ve had in the past. Your network can’t be any more important in this situation. Give your previous co-workers a call; you’ll never know the opportunity that they may provide for you. Aside from reconnecting with your previous associates, you must establish new contacts as well. Keeping yourself within the social circle not only increases your probability of getting hired; it also revives lost connections and rekindles old friendships.
6) Keep up with the trend.
Widen your knowledge base and learn new skills. Learning doesn’t stop at 50, and you’re never too old to discover something new. See what’s trending in the industry; look at the current job qualifications, and think of ways on how you can gain entry. Some people over 50 years often experience information overload when it comes to computers and information technology and, out of fear, they tend to avoid learning computer and IT skills. However, most businesses now operate with these technologies, and unless you’re willing to learn skills related to this technology, you’ll be left out in the race.
Join social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn. These platforms can help you obtain job leads and enable you to seek advice from other people in the field. LinkedIn, in particular, is a great place to build your professional network.
7) Adjust your expectations.
Unemployment after the age of 50 has a greater impact on people who have had successful careers. Because these people have been accustomed to getting paid well and reaping huge benefits, they may find it difficult to settle for less. But if you want to get a job fast and increase your chances of getting hired, you need to take a second look at your expectations. Settling for less won’t make you less of a person. Your main concern now should be to be able to secure a job and make productive use of your time.
8) Think broadly and be flexible.
Looking for a job, especially at your age, involves resourcefulness, flexibility, and broad-mindedness. There are jobs that readily fit older people. People over 50 could perfectly fit in jobs that require wisdom, many years of experience, and expertise. They are actually the best candidates for career coaches, business consultants, financial advisers, tour guides, sustainability coordinators, and home care assistants. You may want to venture into another field that caters best to your present needs.
9) Be confident.
This doesn’t mean that you have to boast about your expertise or extensive experience. You just have to learn to promote yourself like how younger people do. Without hesitation, you can speak up about your flexibility when it comes to managing people, your openness to be a subordinate (especially to a younger boss), your tech savviness, your energy, and your knack and teachability to pick up new skills.
10) Look and dress like a consummate professional.
This entails being physically fit and vivacious, and radiating a positive attitude. Assume a youthful, professional look.
It’s not impossible to land a job even if you’re already over 50. People over 50 should realize that while change is constant, it can work to their advantage. The job industry today does not discriminate people with old age, as long as they have the right skills for the job. What makes a human superior is his ability to adapt to a stimulus, so it’s definitely not true that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
