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How to Find a Job after 50

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By goodselfme
User-Submitted Article
(8 Ratings)
Roberta after 50 years old
Roberta after 50 years old
Roberta Baxter

You are not a new graduate from college, but you are mingled in with many age groups that seem to be closer to getting the job. Just how do you find a job after 50? My ideas can help direct you to securing that job.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Along with your experience, you have many things going for you that younger employees do not have in their portfolio. Finding a job might be more of a need rather than a desire, so let's hit the pavement to find you that job.

  2. Step 2

    Many Characteristics make you a bit more marketable at the age of 50 and above. Your family is stable or could be shortly, making you low risk for pregnancy or paternity leave. By this fact alone you are saving the company money. If you wish to share your sterilization with your employer, that can be another plus.

  3. Step 3

    The ages of your children can be a plus if they are attending high school or college full time. This means that you are very reliable for many reasons that can put you right in that job. The fact that you need work, your children are past infancy or needing supervision as teens need too, put you in a great area.

  4. Step 4

    Sit down and think of all the assets you bring to a new place of employment. These might include willingness to take trips that others frown on, closeness of your residence to the work place and willingness to consider any reasonable starting offer placed before you. Concentration, will make other good things about you surface that can put you in that job.

  5. Step 5

    Your attitude might just get that job for you after the age of 50 by doing several things.
    1. Acknowledge that the lay off, closure of the company doors or whatever took place, is true.
    2. Start calling your relatives, friends, past employers, contacting anyone you think might provide you with a link to a prospective job.
    3. Be aware it might be more than 20 weeks before you are gainfully employed. If this happens before that, you can celebrate earlier.
    4. If there is a small part time job available, take it to boost your ego a bit, give you some funds and take up some time. This also can provide the social interaction you might miss by not working as you did before.
    5. Consider COBRA, an insurance coverage plan that has to be sought within 62 days of loss of insurance at a former job. This relieves the stress of health concerns for you and family.
    6. Seek professional help from your health care provider or counselor if needed.
    7. Keep up your physical appearance. You never know when, that most important person will be right in front of you. If you are emotionally and physically healthy, you can apply for a job any time you hear about it.
    8. If you made some good friends at your former job, consider keeping at least in verbal contact with them. If there are any jobs they might know of, they can inform you .

  6. Step 6

    Many companies strictly cater to the more mature employee. At 50, you are not only welcomed, but preferred. Staples is one such firm that relies, often, on some seasoned workers. Wal-Mart along with many of the book stores like a variety of workers including 50 year olds.

Comments  

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LilacGirl said

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on 4/3/2009 Good suggestions and tips for job hunting for the over fifties, or anyone else. Good workers of every age are always needed.

athome said

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on 3/28/2009 very useful info on finding a job after fifty a lot people need this kind of in right now. thanks 5*

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on 3/26/2009 Good, positive pep talk about looking for work over 50. When I was 32 I was newly single and decided I needed a stable job. Other applicants for the same jobs were fresh out of college and they got hired over me. It was very demoralizing. However, my own business grew and I am NOW so glad I never got stuck in the 9-5 trap. 5*

sonni57 said

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on 3/19/2009 Thanks for the good info on how to get a job after 50 good advice I'll pass it on.

bryguy99 said

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on 3/15/2009 These are great tips for all age groups. Staying positive can really help networking and new opportunities. 5*

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