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Finding Work After 50
Looking for work can be stressful at any age.
Different challenges will arise at different life
stages. As Canada's workforce ages, the number of
Canadians over the age of 50 looking for work is
also increasing.
If
you are over 50 and looking for work, it could be
for any number of reasons. It could be because your
company has downsized or closed, or perhaps you
retired early and want to find something new to do
with your time.
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Stan
K, a father of six who lives in a northern Ontario
town, was faced with an entire plant closure at the
age of 53.
A
lay off, due to my plant's shutdown brought many
questions after the initial shock. The biggest
question was whether to work now, or not to work
now.
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Older job-seekers face many
challenges
One
of the biggest challenges faced by those in their
50s looking for work is age discrimination. Although
there are many myths about older workers, in fact,
research shows that they are highly motivated,
adaptable and good learners.
Another challenge is coping with feelings associated
with unemployment, especially if being out of work
is not your choice. Losing a job in midlife can be
particularly difficult when your peers are enjoying
promotions and looking forward to retirement.
Stress, a feeling of loss, and even anger are not
uncommon reactions.
Don't be afraid to ask for help while coping with
this transition. You will need to take steps to keep
your stress levels down, your confidence up, and
your relationships healthy.
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First there is the denial... "this plant will start
up again". Ha ha! Then you think... "hey, finally a
nice bit of time off... maybe I'll never go back to
work again... maybe I'll retire". Ha ha again!
Then
reality sets in. You start to calculate, "I have so
many dollars, and how long can the family last on
this".
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Years of experience give older
workers a soft skills advantage
Key
steps to coping with the loss and to finding a new
job are to have a plan and to focus on the positive
— emphasize the skills and abilities that you have
that can be transferred to a new job. Employers are
looking for people who have both transferable skills
— often called soft skills — as well as the
technical hard skills.
Soft
skills are those that you may not consider at
first... Are you a people person? Are you a good
communicator? How well do you work with others? Be
sure to identify these strengths as something you
can bring to your new employer. Give examples of
where you were able to excel in these areas.
You
may want to bring along reports you have written,
programs from events you have organized, letters of
thanks from customers.
Hard
skills can be taught on the job — soft skills can be
much harder to master.
Keep an open mind
When
you make a decision to open the gates and look at
all types of jobs, make sure you apply to them with
a positive attitude. In
any case and at any age, the main aspects of a job
search are the same:
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Know what value you bring to the employer
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Identify opportunities
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"Emphasize the positive aspects of being an
older worker."
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Use effective job search techniques
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Keep a positive attitude
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Demonstrate your ability to learn new skills and
attitudes.
Five top job-search tips for those
over 50
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Set goals and work toward them. If you are
looking for a new type of job, think about what
interests you and what you enjoy doing.
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Emphasize the positive aspects of being an older
worker — that you want to remain with the new
employer for a long time, you are reliable, and
have strong work values. Perhaps your family
responsibilities are now less than they were.
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Show potential employers that you have the
ability to learn and develop in the new
position.
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Emphasize your advancements and progression of
responsibilities at work over the years. You may
also want to take a course from a community
college or a workshop to show you can learn new
tasks (as well as learn necessary skills to be
more employable). Your volunteer work in the
community will be an asset. Be sure to include
these activities.
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Consider all opportunities — accepting a
contract or term position will show your
eagerness to work, and help to boost your
resume. And who knows... the contract may even
lead to a full time position.
When
you finally get the official offer from a new
employer, complete with salary quoted, the anxiety
the family has been feeling (both spouse and
children) turns to great joy.
Stress is very evident for those who refuse to
accept the reality of the plant shutdown and cling
to the flickering hope of a restart. However, not
being willing to change is the real stress.
Courtesy Canadian Health Network
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Don't be afraid to ask for help while coping with
this transition. You will need to take steps to keep
your stress levels down, your confidence up, and
your relationships healthy. |
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