Over 50

Career

OVER 50

Career over 50

According to the Sloan Center on Aging and Work at Boston College:

• Looking at the same time span, the share of working Americans aged 50 and older who are self-employed has consistently held steady at just more than 20% of the population.

• The importance of self-employment as a form of work increases dramatically with age. While about 1 in 6 workers in their 50s are self-employed, nearly 1 in 3 are self-employed in their late 60s and more than 1 in 2 workers over the age of 80 are self-employed.

The American Society on Aging states:

• More people who are older than age 65 are working in the U.S. than ever before. The majority of the large Baby Boom cohort is now older than age 65 and the labor force participation rate for people ages 65 to 74 has increased markedly from 19.2% in 2000 to 26.6% in 2020.

People are not retiring like they used to, some retire and re-enter the workforce. The average age of a CEO is 58 years old.

Data shows that in general, older workers:

• are more collaborative and patient: they partner, collaborate and display empathy

• have more leadership experience: they have been leaders or have worked for leaders

• no longer need to proof themselves

• are more compliant with work schedules

• are more tenacious, agile, confident, resilient

• are more prepared to handle international settings (dealing with foreign governments, cultures where age is considered important)

What is ageism?

Ageism refers to the stereotypes (thinking), prejudice (feeling) and discrimination (acting) towards others or oneself based on age.

Ageism affects everyone, it’s how we internalize and use cultural stereotypes to guide feelings and behavior towards people of different ages. This can also result in self-directed ageism.

What is self-ageism?

How we talk about ourselves, how we think (the words we use), how we feel, and how we act (behaviors).

People are living longer and healthier lives. Older job seekers need to reframe their own thinking, change their language to: “I am experienced”.

Yes, there is bias towards age so you have to get in front of it.

Use statements such as:

• I am excited

• I am passionate

• I want to keep learning

• I enjoy mentoring

• I am team player

• It’s not all about the title and money

• I am not overqualified, I am uniquely qualified

These some biases that older job seekers must be prepared to overcome : not having the right skills, looking and behaving older, having potential health issues, not being able to communicate with younger people, too expensive, overqualified.

• Present your value beyond your job description, can you do the job?

• Finances are key, what do you need to earn? Talk to a financial advisor. conduct salary research

• What do you want? What are you good at? What are you interested in doing next?

• Can you handle technology? This is key in most work environments. Brush up your skills, take courses online (train yourself on how to use: Zoom, Webex, Excel, Slack, Salesforce, new Apps, social media) what platforms are most commonly used in your target role?

• Can you work in a multi-generational work environment? Can you relate to Gen X, Gen Z, and Millenials? Do you get them (language, movies, music)?

• What organizations are hiring? What are the job titles? make a list of your target companies and titles

• Keep you resume focused on your last 10-15 years. Don’t market skills that are not required for your target roles. If your previous experiences are relevant, you can create an ''Early Career” section.

• Address being overqualified: perhaps you feel you don’t need to continue to be a leader, say it. In your cover letter, you can explain why you are changing, explain your vision.

• Recent training: in your resume, address your adaptability, flexibility, recent courses including self-study (relevant webinars, books)

Focus on your professional image: competence, character and commitment.

Highlight your career accomplishments, present them in a way that are relevant to your potential employer. How can your experience help them?

Resources:

Working in retirement. Social Security Administration.

Contact me and we can work together. Let’s get started!

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