“Coaches can assist job seekers in understanding what they’re already doing effectively and pinpoint areas for growth to defend against ageism,” she continues. Many people in this position haven’t had to look for a new job in a long time, and things have changed dramatically.”
Career coaches can assist people in staying current on job search trends and what companies want from applicants today. Having your coach as an objective set of eyes to go through your application papers, LinkedIn profile, and other things, looking for minor tweaks that can make a significant difference in how an employer perceives you and the initial impression you make, is very beneficial when it comes to ageism.
Think About Getting More Education
After you’ve updated your resume, go over job postings in your desired professional field to discover what abilities and experience they’re looking for.
It’s a good idea to brush up on your knowledge if you lack some of the abilities and expertise the employer seeks in a prospective applicant. That way, when you’re ready to start looking for a career, you’ll have the qualifications.
“Job seekers over 50 must demonstrate to employers that they are enthusiastic and open to learning new things, as well as that they consistently engage in self-directed learning.” “Taking a professionally related class on your own or gaining a new certification might demonstrate to employers that you’re self-motivated to perform the continual learning that they value,” adds Reynolds.
Reposition Yourself
Job searchers of any age looking for a new professional path should make a concerted effort to rebrand themselves. This entails upgrading your LinkedIn profile as well as your résumé.
“Small things like having a current LinkedIn profile picture, using a popular email platform like Gmail, or addressing your cover letter with ‘Dear Team at ABC Company’ rather than ‘Dear Sir or Madam’ can help employers continue to the important pieces of the resume without getting distracted by age red flags.”
According to Reynolds, “including a Technology Skills section on the resume that showcases the programs and platforms you’re familiar with can help show employers you’re comfortable with technology and learning new things.”
Put it to the Test
It’s not enough to wish to start a new career after 50; you should also give it a shot before committing. So seek opportunities to try out your new careers, such as a (paid) adult internship or part-time or flexible work in your new field of interest. That firsthand experience will assist you in determining whether this job type—and the industry as a whole—is a good fit for you.
Administrative symbol The Best Jobs for People Over 50 Who Want to Change Careers
While you should undoubtedly choose a new career that appeals to you and even makes use of some of your past knowledge and talents, some career categories are more suited to older workers than others.
Some of the greatest fields for career changers beyond 50 are listed below.
Administrative
Although an administrative position may not appear to be a flexible profession, many remote and flexible administrative opportunities are available. For example, as a virtual assistant, you can work from the convenience of your home office (or wherever you like) and just for the clients you select. And you have complete choice over your schedule, whether you choose to work five or forty hours per week.
Working in administration does not entail spending all day staring at a filing cabinet. Instead, many administrative professionals organize trips, coordinate marketing, and social media activities, and even take on project management responsibilities.
Training & Education
Teachers and trainers communicate information with their students to learn new things. And, while teaching does an excellent second (or even third) job, the prospect of teaching in a classroom is unappealing to many people. However, thanks to technological advancements, education and training are no longer limited to traditional, in-classroom jobs. And, given the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, these positions are likely to remain open for the foreseeable future.
