What if we find ourselves in need of making over a career after 50, or starting a new one? What if we aren’t pursuing a career per se, but we’re looking for a job to cover the bills or to expand our horizons?
We all know that lasting makeovers are more than skin deep. That’s as true of retooling skills and reorienting professionally as it is of finding an updated style.
So how do we ‘make over’ a career? More specifically, how is securing work at 52 or 62 different from doing so at 22 or 32?
Job Searching Is Hard at Any Age
I’ve had the interesting perspective of watching my two sons — Millennials — as they’ve each undertaken a job search at different times, for different durations, with different results. My younger son, still in college, had only the summer for working in a highly specialized field. Despite networking and several interviews, he couldn’t secure the type of job or internship he wanted.
Instead? He plunged into an internship opportunity in a related area, for the experience, the references and the confidence. He turned disappointment into a win… not exactly what he had in mind, but a win nonetheless.
My other son is another story. He worked part-time throughout his four years of university as well as each summer, and parlayed that experience into a full-time job at his college for the first several months after completing his degree. Because he was already a known entity (and he had distinguished himself in his job performance), he was a shoe-in when a “regular” position opened up. And he grabbed it.
However, once he began exploring other options (that would pay more and provide greater opportunity), he realized he had a contact at an organization that interested him. His contact helped him get his resume through the door, and helped secure him an interview.
He’s exceptionally articulate. He interviews well. He got the job.
Two years and one promotion later, he’s still enjoying it.
So what did he do right?
He’s extremely confident, he used his contacts, his technology skills are current (for a technology-related job), and the years of related work experience — albeit largely part-time — were impressive to a company with 20-something go-getters. He “fit” the culture and knew as much, in part from his contact inside the company.
Looking for Work Over 50? Now What?
What would be different were I to be looking at the same organization?
Ironically, when he got the job, he told me he met some of the other candidates. “They were your age, Mom,” he said to me, with similar background to mine some years back, and with many years of experience under their belts. That experience, for entry-level positions, rendered them “overqualified.”
Why else didn’t they get the job?
Well, we could look at the situation any number of ways. That “fit” issue is one, and not to be discounted. How well does a 52-year-old work in a team of 22-year-olds? How well does a 52-year-old do reporting to a 26-year-old?
While those with little experience are told “you aren’t qualified; you have no experience,” those of us with 10, 15, 20 or more years of related work are told we’re “overqualified” — something I’ve heard many times these past 10 years, along with over-educated.
What they aren’t saying to your face (or mine) — over 50.
Which is worse? 22 and can’t get work? 52 and can’t get work?
Both are frustrating, with commonalities and differences.
What Makes Job Searching at 50+ Daunting?
Job searching can be exciting, but it can also be undermining. Rejection is hard. Rejection before you can even get in front of a potential employer or client — even harder. If you’ve been searching with no luck for three months, six months, 18 months, it’s nearly impossible not to carry the weight of profound discouragement — and fear.
However, middle age offers the advantages of knowing you’re a survivor, albeit the disadvantages of pitting you against competing candidates 25 years younger, as in the anecdote I just related. You may find the hiring managers to be of a different generation as well. Whether intentional or not, you may, in fact, be running into age-based bias that assumes less energy, resourcefulness, innovative thinking, technology expertise, not to mention a presumed greater likelihood of sick days. (Those of us who’ve hit the half-century milestone know all of these global assumptions to be untrue!)
You may be feeling insecure about some of the above yourself, not to mention those key issues of fitting in — especially if you’re looking in a “young” industry.
Those insecurities? They’re even tougher to overcome if you’ve been laid off, unemployed for a period of time, and your household is struggling as a result. You will indeed run into age bias — but let’s remember that age discrimination is a two-way street — just because someone is young, that doesn’t mean she isn’t credentialed, qualified, experienced and extremely good at her job!
You may also worry because you have less time to recover financially from missteps, and in this way, we 50-something job seekers are different from our children. They may be saddled with educational debt, but they still have time to try things out and recoup. This isn’t to say we shouldn’t take risks; on the contrary. But we need contingency plans if at all possible, and a dose of pragmatism with our determined dreaming and targeted pursuits.
Returning to the Workforce or Changing Fields
So what if you haven’t been working for a number of years? What if divorce is sending you into the workforce at 48 or 55 or 59 — and you’ve been volunteering and raising a family and busy managing a household? Do you simply give up?
Do note – I said managing a household. It’s important to recognize the organizational, negotiating, planning, budgeting, communication, leadership, teamwork along with intermittent nursing and counseling skills you’ve mastered while raising children and running a home.
These are substantive and useful skills in any sort of work environment. Remember that — especially if you feel yourself losing heart — if doors seem to be closing before you can even peek in.
If you’re changing fields or looking to take on a different sort of role within your industry or area of expertise, do consider opportunities to network, gain skills, take courses, try things out on your own, and use sites like LinkedIn to get “endorsed” as well as to spread the word as you expand your areas of competence.
What the Experts Recommend
Andrea Clement Santiago is a career advice columnist and communications professional with a background in medical sales, training, and healthcare recruiting. She is also the Guide to Health Careers for About.com, and a contributor here. I asked Andrea for her top job search recommendations, in particular for those looking to change careers in middle age.
Consider these tips.
- Inventory your accomplishments, strengths, and weaknesses both professionally and personally. Consider all your qualifications as you evaluate options for a new career.
- Plan and prepare for a ramp-up period if possible. Transitioning into a new industry or new role will not mean a lateral move. Expect to take a step or two back in pay, responsibilities and title. DO remember that your prior work experience gives you judgment that will help you move ahead quickly.
- Test the viability and fit of a new career if possible. Try it as a side job first, or build a small business on the side while still working in your current field. Once you’ve gained this experience, the transition becomes easier.
- Network friends, family, and contacts who know you, your skills, and your qualifications. Tap into your existing network for job opportunities, clients for your new business, financial backing, support staff, or whatever help you need with your new career. And don’t get hung up on age. Find a mentor if you can, and a mentor can be younger than you! DO remember to help others in return for their assistance.
Pros and Cons of Job Searching Over 50
The pros and cons of a mature worker?
Let’s start with the cons, and get them out of the way. Sure, in terms of presenting yourself, there’s the greater likelihood of a muffin top, a pot belly, grey hair, no hair, and a few wrinkles (or a big Botox bill). If you’re lucky, beyond a handful of aches and pains you put out of your mind, you’re otherwise raring to go!
As already stated, another challenge is this: There’s less time to recover if the financial risk of a new venture doesn’t yield success. And yes, there’s the possibility of extended family depending on you as the breadwinner — teenagers, college kids, or young adults returned to the nest as well as aging elders. No small set of worries!
Last but not least — though I haven’t seen De Niro in The Intern yet — you may well face the assumptions of potential coworkers who look at you like a parent.
Now about those pros….
- Excellent judgment, the result of experience
- Breadth of (life) experience, not to be underestimated
- Planning, negotiating, budgeting, etc. as noted above
- Determination (in some cases, desperation) — no safety net for many of us, which means failure is NOT an option
Other advantages? How about compassion, intuition, curiosity, sophisticated problem-solving, the ability to learn — just for starters! And aren’t we as good at networking online as our kids? (I give that an unequivocal YES.)
Emotional Impediments
It’s worth noting the significant impact that unemployment can have on anyone at any age, though if it coincides with middle age, already potentially disorienting for many, it can be even more problematic.
At 50 (or older), we have expectations of ourselves — as being competent, as being “the rock” for our kids, as being a viable breadwinner. When these issues of identity are shaken as we experience changes due to aging, the disorientation can grow worse.
If you add the impacts of illness, death of a spouse, or divorce — you may find yourself financially adrift, dealing with sinking self-assurance, and weathering job searching stress with little to no support system. Believe me, I know what this is like. When you find yourself alone, over 50, unemployed, and depressed (naturally!), it’s nearly impossible not to feel powerless.
But we aren’t. We can keep going. We can find support. We can unearth enormous wells of resourcefulness — especially if we remember to share experiences and reach out — because that’s precisely what life experience has taught us.
After we fall, we get back up.
That said, let’s accept the legitimacy of these feelings of fear and anxiety, the practical impacts of tough times, and let’s not beat ourselves up over moments when we’re down.
Job Search Tips From AARP
AARP offers a number of good suggestions and tips for job searchers over 50. Many echo what Andrea has to say, in particular the importance of networking.
Among the AARP recommendations that I wouldn’t have thought of (and that I find excellent) are these:
- Do make sure you have a cohesive and professional digital presence.
- Don’t use dated email accounts or accounts with nicknames (e.g. old AOL addresses).
- Do stay flexible relative to salary, while remembering to negotiate over benefits like time off.
- Don’t overdo the resume! Remember that recruiters are swamped, they can only scan, and many resumes are screened programmatically anyway.
That last?
In researching for this article, I am reminded that my own CV is too long and insufficiently focused. I haven’t seriously considered its effectiveness in two years. Shame on me! This highlights one other tip: Be able to state what you’re looking for. This needn’t be a single goal, but you do need to be clear in your objective, and able to readily match any communication of your qualifications to a prospective employer’s, client’s, or customer’s needs.
Stop by the AARP article for more useful tips like these.
The Importance of Appearance
To think that appearances don’t matter is foolish. If you think looks don’t pay, simply put, you’re wrong! And here are some of the salary statistics to prove it.
Let’s be realistic. For women especially, there’s a reason for the series on makeup makeovers beyond having fun, and likewise, the savvy style tips for women over 40 from experts who are irrepressibly chic, and who exude confidence and competence in part through polished appearance.
So, assuming that looks are important (and assuming you make it that far in a job search process), just how much do you need to do, and how far do you need to go? Whitening teeth? A great haircut? Nips and tucks? The bank to achieve all of the above?
This article on Next Avenue with job interview advice that older women don’t want to hear ticked me off when I read it. I find there to be truth to its premise that the younger and more together we appear, the better, though even that isn’t always the case. (I prefer my attorneys, physicians and other advisors older, thank you!) And, it offers several specific suggestions that are easily accommodated that some of us wouldn’t think of. (Pop over and see if you agree.)
However, I also find built-in assumptions of disposable dollars to be invested that many of us looking for work simply don’t have. I don’t dispute the need for us to put our best face forward — male or female, and at any age — but recommendations that urge female midlifers to take up skin care regimens, dye hair, lose weight, and so on are problematic.
Let’s get down to brass tacks. Expensive products? No line item in my budget (how about yours?). Menopausal weight gain? No simple, quick answer. Weight gain from medications? A challenge for both sexes. Whitening strips for the teeth? Okay…
And those costly options like cosmetic dentistry, or “freshening” the face via injectables, or an assortment of possible surgical interventions? Likely out of the question for those most in need of a new job.
Yes, appearances matter. In that, I agree with the article completely. I believe we should do what we can, do what we can afford, and do what we’re comfortable with. But long before we nail an interview, we have to hook them with our preparation, our knowledge of their specific needs, our qualifications, our willingness to work hard, our ability to fit in, and ultimately, our value.
Tips From Yours Truly
Remember that getting a foothold in a new career, identifying new projects or clients, or building a new business may mean getting an “in” to start. While hardly an exhaustive list of everything we might undertake, here is a subset of suggestions from personal experience.
- Target two dozen organizations (to start) that look promising
- Contacts, contacts, contacts! Continue to grow connections and contacts via family, friends, social media, LinkedIn, alumni networks, the cashier at the market, the trainer at the gym, your priest or rabbi, your adult child, your next door neighbor…
- Identify projects / accomplishments you may have or you can develop that would be of interest
- Work those contacts for your “in”
- Target small projects or some position that will get your value established
- Starting somewhere is better than not starting at all! (Do not hold out for some grandiose idea of where you belong or what you should be doing.)
And to Andrea’s point, always be willing to network for others — “pay it forward” is a great way to live whether you’re job searching or not.
When you get that opportunity to meet face-to-face (or over Skype for the increasing number of remote positions), remember to read your audience (body language), be yourself, but do adjust tone, gestures and so on as you proceed. (You don’t want your potential new boss thinking you think you’ll soon be running the company!)
Last Thoughts
While I certainly believe that looking your best is very important, it isn’t everything, especially with the growing number of remote jobs and projects in our hybrid workforce.
Still, you may find yourself in online meetings even if you work from home, so hairstyle, makeup and glasses — all three of which can date you terribly, and most of which can be “made over” with a reasonably small financial outlay — are not to be ignored. Your goal: to feel comfortable, appropriate, and professional. This enhances confidence, which we know works wonders.
Additionally, every time you leave your house you are a walking, talking advertisement for yourself, and anyone you meet is a potential employer, client, customer, investor or other stakeholder in your future success.
Success. With a capital S!
I’ve been reminding myself of this daily — whether dashing out to pick up produce for my healthy diet, or hauling off to a physical therapy session for my back. That means I fix my hair and I do my face, and keep my 60-second Elevator Speech in mind… just in case.
Stop by here for the entire midlife makeover series.
You May Also Enjoy
RON says
I didn’t even read todays topic to the end. Just by virtue of being alive and knowing other human beings, I know this subject from top to bottom and inside out! Simply put; it is one of life’s great injustices! There are very few people in this world that are not in some way affected by this either themselves, or some close relative or friend. I could talk about it for 24 hours straight, and anything that I could say would in no way remotely help to solve the problem. The ONLY thing that I wish to go on record with is: Age and Gender Discrimination in hiring practices in every field that you can name is, alive and flourishing in the United States of America! You can take that to the bank! Laws or no laws, it goes on every second, of every minute, of every hour, of every day in the workplace! It’s disgusting! I gotta go make myself a drink! I’m wound up now!!
john says
I agree and I’m right smack in the middle of it. trying to relocate and find a decent job at age 56 with a ged. I have never been so scared in my life.
Heather in Arles says
My Mom was able to get a job that she likes at 65 when she needed to start over but she is really upfront that she is “fortunate” to have found a company that appreciates what she has to offer. And sadly, I have to agree with her.
Here in France, there have been many, many stories on the news about how it is nearly impossible for people over 45 to find new work.
Both speak ill of our society and yet how can we be surprised when Youth is glamorized in every sector of it?
D. A. Wolf says
Your last point is well taken, Heather.
THE VINTAGE CONTESSA says
BRILLIANT write up………….
I had a company hire my son for 37 hours a week so they did not have to pay benefits!!!!!!!
IT was a BANK.
I agree dress to exit the house as you never know who you will run into!
lisa says
All too often those over the age of 50 find themselves being replaced in the workforce by younger counterparts. Are they better at the job? Not always. Many times it’s a numbers game and they can hire two or three young ones for the same salary as the “seasoned” employee. Not fair….but common. You outline great observations and tips for recovering from such circumstances. And you are so right in that every single time you step out of the house, you are a walking talking billboard for yourself. You just never know when you’ll cross paths with a contact or opportunity! It was good to see you over at my place yesterday. I’ve been so MIA everywhere lately. 🙁
Dan says
I feel your pain, I lost my wife in November last year having a lot of trouble dealing with it. And yes I’m lost w/o her, I am scared to go out by myself. Don’t get me wrong, it’s the other people I worry about. So in closing I hope we can move on. Hopefully your friend always.
Barbara says
Points well taken and absorbed. It’s a pro of remote work/on-line assignments etc. for a 50-something contractor. Reminds me, in a simplistic way, of The Voice (a show on television where judges’ chairs are turned so they can’t see the singer) and thereby judge ONLY on their voice. They’re often surprised when they turn and see the individual. I love that people very often get a break and an ear – when they’re not judged on their age or appearance. It’s a benefit I often enjoy as a writer too.
Larry says
I’ve been transitioning into a new area and have found it very challenging. Getting my foot into the door has been tough. I can’t afford to take some of the opportunities offered to me and am not even sure they are worth my while.
There have been positives as well which have kept me going.
Emmes says
I understand many of the points made here, but as someone currently working with millennials, it doesn’t seem to matter that they show up late, leave early, spend all day tweeting or on Facebook, they still want to hire these kids! They take this job just for the money, but don’t work. They burn up leave as soon as it’s earned, then apply for (and get) another job after being in this one 6 months to a year.
In my situation, I’m a contractor, which means while I work full time, every year is a crap shoot not knowing whether there will be enough “funding” to retain my services. I’m very grateful and lucky for the job I have now, but I’m trying to look into another more secure position or field.
D. A. Wolf says
I certainly understand the plight of the long-term 1099 worker. I’ve lived it myself for many years. I believe it’s a huge issue that is woefully ignored except for the occasional article. With estimates that somewhere between 20 and 40% of the American workforce is subject to this lack of employment protections and perpetual uncertainty — not to mention, depending on circumstances, more expenses — is, in my opinion, shameful.
Cindy Dawn says
I was almost embarrassed commenting when asked my email address as having AOL I am already outdated. Ironic how by just my having my AOL email address would make me irrelevant today as it was because of America On Line that made me revelent in the 90’s. However, it was not just my AOL email account that made me noteworthy, I was given the once in a lifetime opportuntity by America On Line, launching a revolution as one of the most influential Internet visionaries who helped build the foundation for a world-changing technology. It skyrocketed me into cyber-stardom, taking the world by storm, and I had a very successful lucrative high profile career from 1992 to 2010.
By 2015, I was 50 years old, divorced with 3 children, and my career had come had come to a screeching halt. The Internet and Technology changed so rapidly, being taken over by Google, Apple, Facebook, etc, etc… are all looking for the NEXT best and brightest people ~ aka 25 years younger than myself ~ and I was no longer sought-after. I was asked to be part of certain projects, however, working on a project to project basis was not a steady income nor a fraction of what I was used to being paid.
I am now 52, the work is few and far between, and it’s now been 7 months since I’ve worked. I have ALL the imperative skills, knowledge, qualities, qualifications and so much more that is needed, crucial as well as suggested in this article. For me, in the field of my professional expertise, the one and only thing holding me back from my career is my age. In every fathomable aspect, I am a victim of age discrimination as Millennials are in charge now and that is a non-negiotable fact. To fight these facts of today’s information age is a moot point. No amount of knowledge, talent, expertise, perseverance, or one word in this article is going to change the Millennial world of technology or any computer based jobs for woman over 50. And not highly intelligent women who are over qualified in being a huge asset to Millennials. I’m 52 not 82… but in their eyes any woman over 40 is a fossil… and with every day we get older, they keep getting younger.
So how do we tangibly begin when the prospect of reinvention is overwhelming? When money is already scarce? When we feel drained, demoralized by looking for work with no success, and your alone with children still at home? You accept it, leave your ego at the door and do “whatever” you have to do to pay your bills and take care of yourself and your family.
At the moment, I am selling what I can on Ebay while pursuing other outlets such as teaching and/or speaking at seminars and other technology events, daily making calls to ALL my influential connections who know what I am capable of and last but certainly not least reinventing and preparing myself to transition into the long road ahead of me.
David says
I spent the last ten years struggling with the mindset of I have to work after having meningitis. I had been a lot of. things. US Marine, electrician, truck driver etc. By 45 I had worked 28 years but was exhausted. I had to stop working but my mind kept saying find work. I had become disabled due to some cognitive issues. To top it off I found out I had been exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune in the 80s. My life was a mess. What I did was I had to get real. I stopped buying stuff, stopped eating out and meeting with friends who really just were drinkers. I quit drinking and finally began to take naps. I listen to meditation on Youtube. I also looked into affiliate marketing because it seemed all the younger people were into it. Three years ago I built my website and now it’s making money. Not a whole lot but enough to buy gas, pay insurance etc. I am not as stressed now and I do water aerobics with other over 55 people at the community center. We have fun. We talk and keep it simple. I learned to ignore the hustle hustle because that’s not a part of who I am anymore.