How to Stay Confident When You're Over 50 and Unemployed

Employers will want to know what you did during unemployment, so stay busy.

Life after 50 can sometimes feel like a big question mark. Too young to collect Social Security, but too old to start your life from scratch, you're stuck in limbo where your next step is unclear. Whether you're desperately seeking a new job or quietly wondering if it's time to take a new course in life, recognizing your dreams and establishing goals will help you rebuild your dwindling confidence.

Instructions

1. Define the things that make you feel the strongest and most confident. Do you get a sense of pride from helping less fortunate people? Do you feel like you're at your best when you're working in your garden, or reading a book? Or perhaps earning money from odd jobs makes you feel accomplished. Doing what makes you feel strong will improve your attitude in life and future job interviews, if a new job is what you seek.

2. Pursue at least one regular activity outside your normal routine to keep your mind fresh and active. Help out at a soup kitchen. Attend church. Spend some time at the library. Join a support group for unemployed baby boomers. A fresh perspective will help you stay positive while you work through your financial and personal issues.

3. Change your strategy. If you've been on the hunt for a new job for years and had few or no offers, there is probably something you can improve about your process. Contact your college's alumni association to help you revamp your resume, or join an association related to your expertise to meet new people in your industry. Use social networking sites like LinkedIn and Facebook to connect with potential co-workers or employers.

4. Get creative about work. If it's been too difficult finding a job similar to the one you had before, consider a part-time job to help tide you over until you find a new permanent employer. If possible, turn your hobby into a job: selling art, building furniture or even selling unused home items online may turn into a lucrative business.

5. Go back to school. If you're low-income and don't already have a bachelor's degree or higher, you may qualify for an array of federal student grants and loans to help you pay for your education. This may be the perfect opportunity to pursue a childhood dream or obtain a degree to boost your odds of finding a new job.

6. Take charge of your finances. Move into a smaller house or apartment, sell your car or other high-ticket belongings, cook meals at home instead of eating out or draw from your long-term savings as a last resort rather than racking up credit card debt. You may be surprised about how freeing it can feel to simplify your life.

Tips & Warnings

• If you were let go from your job through no fault of your own, consider filing for unemployment insurance in your state. Contact your state unemployment insurance agency for information on how to apply in your area (see Resources).

References

• CNN Money; 50 and Fired; May 2005
• CNN Money; Tips for Weathing a Long Job Search; April 2010
• United States Department of Labor; State Unemployment Insurance Benefits; January 2010

Resources

• Service Locator: Find Your State's Unemployment Agency