Are you an over 50 job seeker?
The world of work has changed rapidly over the last few years. As more and more mature workers choose to delay retirement, the competition for jobs is harder than ever.
This is can be even tougher for those who are over 50. The challenges faced by an over 50 job seeker today can be very stressful and demoralising – so it is really important that mature job seekers plan an effective job search.
How to conduct an effective job search as an over 50 job seeker
There are many reasons why you may be looking for employment and of course this has a great bearing on how you approach your job search. You are less likely to feel under pressure to find a new job if you are financially sound and are able to be more selective in your search for work.
If you are in this fortunate position, you can consider such options such as changing careers, starting your own business, self- employment or working in a freelance capacity. Alternatively undertaking voluntary or charity work can be an effective way to network and source the hidden job market.
Unfortunately not everyone is in this position. An increasing number of over fifties cannot afford not to work. This article is written by an over 50 job seeker who has experienced unemployment.
Employment Job Opportunities – A Challenge For Older Unemployed Workers
By Marshall Crum
As an over 50 job seeker who is suffering a lay-off or losing a job can be a devastating experience for anyone, but can be particularly hard for an older worker. Many people are living this experience and the unemployment rate has reached levels not seen in decades.
The down turn in the economy has affected many different industries and few people have jobs that are safe. Older workers may have a difficult time finding other employment opportunities in a particular field.
The challenges facing an older worker, or one who has many years of experience are compounded by the fact that there are many, many younger people looking for jobs and employment opportunities in the same field. In my experience, there are four things that an older worker may have to overcome. These are age, experience, education and perceived salary requirements.
Tips for the over 50 job seeker
1. Age is a barrier to many jobs and some job offers. Some (I should say many) companies with an opening in a technical profession want to get the most experience they can for the least amount of money. This will sometimes cause them to fill a position with a younger person who might be able to do the job, but at a wage or salary lower than they would have to pay an older person.
2. The experience that a person gains from many years in a profession will make a job-seeker “over qualified” for many attractive positions. Experience is a two edged sword and most unemployed workers will have too little or too much. It is difficult to mask experience and be truthful on resumes and cover letters.
3. The time when a person could be a self-taught or self-educated professional is over. When I got in the work force many years ago, it was not uncommon to find non-degreed electrical, or electronic engineers and people in other technical fields who were considered to be experts.
A college degree has become an entry-level requirement in many fields and has become a requirement looked for by many companies when a job opening is posted. Many times, a job needs list is created by a person who does not have a clear understanding of the skills required for a particular job and starts with an education requirement.
In our electronic age, when resumes and applications are transferred over the internet a lot of older folks will be removed a computer matching the resume with a job needs list and will not be considered even though they may be otherwise qualified.
4. Age and experience combine to create the third hardest thing to overcome, perceived salary requirements. Many professional people have been out of work for a very long time and many will be willing to accept lower salaries than they had just to get back in the work force.
Many times, the salary is not as important as becoming a contributing member of society. A lot of professional people have taken low paying part time jobs or done pro bono or volunteer work with various organizations just to stay busy and occupied.
Additional advice for an over 50 job seeker
There are many things available. Joining some social networks, writing about your experience and staying touch with your peers is an important step in finding employment. Many older workers have experience and skills that are marketable and can lead to self-employment.
It is easy to let stress, anxiety and depression get the best of us when we are facing the challenge of unemployment. Successful people will accept the challenge and find ways to cope with them. The economy will improve, and the right job will come along.
Until then, it may be necessary to look in other directions and find something that is challenging in a positive way that could lead to a satisfying career. The most important thing is to keep working at something, look for the positive result in your challenges and don’t give up.
Marshall Crum has joined the ranks of the unemployed and is taking his own advise. He has been interested in self-improvement for a long time and has listened to and read material by some of the great motivational speakers. He enjoys writing articles about health and safety issues and other subjects of interest that provide help for people who are looking for ways to improve themselves.
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com
Further resources for the over 50 job seeker
As the number of people over forty continues to rise (especially amongst women), the need to address issues such as midlife career change, relationships and surviving job loss also grows. A great site that has embraced these issues and offers excellent information is Later Life. Why not visit the site to see if you agree.
If you are considering changing careers, working on a self-employed basis or starting your business go to our mature job seekers – changing careers page for further information on these topics.
Moving and working abroad is another option many over 50 job seekers contemplate. You can use our search for a job by country facility to see the latest vacancies in your selected country immediately.
If you are a graduate or a native English speaker, teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) is a popular career choice for mature job seekers.
Rest Less is a jobs site for the over 50s that has more than 28,000 roles available in the UK – nationwide – from age friendly employers. They are a great port of call for anyone aged over 50 who is looking for a new role.
Share your experience with other over 50 job seekers. Add to a topic, ask a question or answer a question posted by using the comment form below.
