If you are wanting to make a career change late in life, you are not alone. Many people desire to keep working, either because of financial need, the fear of outliving their retirement funds and/or because of the opportunity to learn and the desire to make a contribution in society. It understandable if you don’t want to do exactly the same thing for years to come still and that you would like to try doing something new. To make a successful job transition after age 55, what is it you need to know?
The Job Market for Older Workers
Older workers have an edge when it comes to experience and knowledge, being a self-starter, knowing how to get a job done and being able to work independently. Older workers have a great deal of knowledge, leadership ability and many transferrable skills. You may be hired over someone in need of training but may need to sacrifice some salary in order to get a new job. Younger job seekers are often able to work for much less.
While older workers have much to contribute, they also face many drawbacks when looking to make a career transition. Ageism still exists and the potential for few working years left can make an employer reluctant to invest in an older new hire. Some employers believe that older workers don’t have the stamina to do the job, they are out of date with technology, they won’t work well with younger staff or they will have a hard time report to a younger boss. On average, it takes older workers a longer time to find work than those who are younger, but there are still great opportunities available for older workers. The Government of Canada is actively working to dispel the myths about older workers while promoting older worker participation.
Get Ready for a Job Search
In order to get ready to look for work, you may need to brush up in a few areas. Firstly, explore your personality and what you need to be happy. Be realistic about what you can do and take stock of your working career. Think less about what you could have or should have done and focus now on what you want to do with your years ahead.
If you need to go back to school to get a certification, find out when you need to apply by, when it starts and if it can be done part-time. Be realistic about the value of a new degree at this point in making you more marketable in the field you desire. A program that guarantees an internship or co-op program may be desirable.
You also need to stay on top of technology and changes in the field so that your computer and industry skills are current. A good LinkedIn profile with a professional headshot is recommended. A basic Facebook profile is recommended too. If you fail to provide a photo, age discrimination can still occur and you will eliminate many opportunities. Using LinkedIn and Facebook, you may be able to join professional groups, read or post interesting articles and participate in discussions.
Seek professional advice on getting your resume prepared, career counselling and for interview strategies. If you are unable to obtain a private service, employment centres also have great resources.
Hold on to Your Job While Looking for New Work
If you still have a job, don’t leave it while you are looking for work. Remember, it is easier to find a job when you have one.
