Help for Those Over 50 Looking for a Job

Job hunters over age 50 face different challenges.

Looking for a job can be a stressful experience at any age, but when you are over 50 you may be facing different challenges than when you were 25. Concerns about competing against younger applicants, university training that is decades old, and worries about age discrimination among employers can make an older person's job search a worrisome process.

Focus on Your Strengths

Focus on jobs that will highlight the strengths a person over 50 is likely to have. For example, if you pursue a position as a construction laborer, you may not have any advantage over other applicants in their 20s, because this job requires little experience and a fair degree of physical strength. However, if you are a skilled cabinetmaker with decades of experience, your years in the trade will put you at an advantage over younger applicants. Assess where you have been and what you have done over your career, and build on previous accomplishments to impress future employers.

Update Your Skills

There are many colleges and universities that offer classes in everything from horticulture to computer skills. You could enroll in classes to update the skills you already have, or you could pursue an entirely new interest that you have never had time to indulge before. The first plan may be more effective at landing you a job, since it will combine new training with long experience in the same field, but the second plan may open up new doors for you and lead to a job in a field you hadn't previously considered. Contact educational institutions in your area, and inquire about training programs they may have that are geared specifically toward older students.

Call on Your Contacts

An advantage that you are likely to have as an older person, particularly if you have lived and worked in the same area for a long time, is the breadth of your social and professional contacts. Since the majority of job hires are based on personal contacts rather than newspaper ads or resumes, this can be a definite advantage. If you find yourself in the job market at age 50 or over, start notifying everyone you know who might be in a position to help you, and let them know your situation. Don't position yourself as needing help; phrase your request in a positive manner, that you are a skilled and motivated individual who has a lot to offer.

Do What You Love

Older people who are in a financial bind may be forced to take whatever job they can find. If you are fortunate enough to have some savings and don't need to jump on the first opportunity, take advantage of this situation and develop a new career in a field that means something to you, even if you make somewhat less money. If you have worked in computers for 30 years, but your real love is cultivating orchids, consider taking a job in a greenhouse where your expertise and love of horticulture will be appreciated.

References

• 50 Plus: Switching Jobs After 50
• Not Alone: The Fifty-Year-Old Wake-Up Call