Difference between revisions of "Change Careers After 50"
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Changing careers after age fifty used to be uncommon, but as social norms and economic realities shift, more and more people are finding it necessary or desirable to make a late-life change. No matter why you decide to change careers, it's important to prepare yourself for the realities of the job market, which may have changed drastically since you last sought work. | Changing careers after age fifty used to be uncommon, but as social norms and economic realities shift, more and more people are finding it necessary or desirable to make a late-life change. No matter why you decide to change careers, it's important to prepare yourself for the realities of the job market, which may have changed drastically since you last sought work. | ||
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
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#*If you are already employed elsewhere, don't quit your job or announce your plans to quit until you have your next career plans secured. If you fail to find a second position, your employer is likely to view you as unreliable, and any employees who are under your supervision may lose faith in your directives. | #*If you are already employed elsewhere, don't quit your job or announce your plans to quit until you have your next career plans secured. If you fail to find a second position, your employer is likely to view you as unreliable, and any employees who are under your supervision may lose faith in your directives. | ||
#Assess your situation. There could be a number of reasons why you may want to change careers later in life: seeking a lifestyle change, looking for higher compensation, coming out of retirement, or following life-long career goals. Regardless of your decisions, make sure that your choice is financially feasible. | #Assess your situation. There could be a number of reasons why you may want to change careers later in life: seeking a lifestyle change, looking for higher compensation, coming out of retirement, or following life-long career goals. Regardless of your decisions, make sure that your choice is financially feasible. | ||
| − | #*Think about what it is that makes you consider a career change. If you find yourself unhappy with your coworkers, boss, or company, it's possible that a job change might be enough to give you more satisfaction, rather than changing your entire career. A career change might be better if you find that your current work does not make use of your skills, or is unfulfilling more generally.<ref>http://money.howstuffworks.com/second-career-ideas/how-to-change-careers-middle-age1.htm</ref> | + | #*Think about what it is that makes you consider a career change. If you find yourself unhappy with your coworkers, boss, or company, it's possible that a job change might be enough to give you more satisfaction, rather than changing your entire career. A career change might be better if you find that your current work does not make use of your skills, or is unfulfilling more generally.<ref name="rf1">http://money.howstuffworks.com/second-career-ideas/how-to-change-careers-middle-age1.htm</ref> |
| − | #*Most workers retire right around age 70,<ref>http://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryhannon/2011/11/29/eying-a-late-career-change-youve-got-company/</ref> which gives you less than 20 years to prepare a nest egg. Switching careers means you might sacrifice seniority (and the paycheck that comes with it) as you enter a new career in a junior position.<ref | + | #*Most workers retire right around age 70,<ref name="rf2">http://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryhannon/2011/11/29/eying-a-late-career-change-youve-got-company/</ref> which gives you less than 20 years to prepare a nest egg. Switching careers means you might sacrifice seniority (and the paycheck that comes with it) as you enter a new career in a junior position.<ref name="rf1" /> Consider whether you are sacrificing financial stability by changing careers. |
| − | #*If your current position is not setting you up for financial freedom during retirement, a new position might be right for you.<ref | + | #*If your current position is not setting you up for financial freedom during retirement, a new position might be right for you.<ref name="rf2" /> |
#*If you have recently found yourself without a job due to cutbacks or other conditions out of your control, this might be an ideal time to explore other career options, provided you can get by without an income while you obtain any necessary certifications and hunt for a new position. Check to see if your former employer offers career counseling in layoff situations, which can be beneficial as you think through your options. | #*If you have recently found yourself without a job due to cutbacks or other conditions out of your control, this might be an ideal time to explore other career options, provided you can get by without an income while you obtain any necessary certifications and hunt for a new position. Check to see if your former employer offers career counseling in layoff situations, which can be beneficial as you think through your options. | ||
#Talk to those you love. Talking with trusted friends, family, or mentors can help you assess your situation from multiple perspectives, which can help give you insight not only into whether changing careers is a good choice for you, but also into what your viable alternatives might be. | #Talk to those you love. Talking with trusted friends, family, or mentors can help you assess your situation from multiple perspectives, which can help give you insight not only into whether changing careers is a good choice for you, but also into what your viable alternatives might be. | ||
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===Choosing Your Next Path=== | ===Choosing Your Next Path=== | ||
#Consider your experiences, qualifications, and skills. Your next career path should maximize the things you're good at, and give you an opportunity to enjoy your work, while also providing financial security for your later years. | #Consider your experiences, qualifications, and skills. Your next career path should maximize the things you're good at, and give you an opportunity to enjoy your work, while also providing financial security for your later years. | ||
| − | #*The majority of people entering an "encore career" later in life go into the fields of education, healthcare, government, and non-profit.<ref | + | #*The majority of people entering an "encore career" later in life go into the fields of education, healthcare, government, and non-profit.<ref name="rf2" /> Of course, these are not your only options, but great places to get started in your search. |
#*As you weigh your options, check out [[Choose the Right Career|this helpful wikiHow page]] for help choosing the right second career. | #*As you weigh your options, check out [[Choose the Right Career|this helpful wikiHow page]] for help choosing the right second career. | ||
#Determine if you need additional education, training, or certification. Major career changes might require additional qualifications that you don't currently have, and if the process is very costly or time consuming, you need to determine whether the payoff will be worth it. | #Determine if you need additional education, training, or certification. Major career changes might require additional qualifications that you don't currently have, and if the process is very costly or time consuming, you need to determine whether the payoff will be worth it. | ||
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#*Other career changes, such as a change from teaching to school administration, may only require a certification exam and license. | #*Other career changes, such as a change from teaching to school administration, may only require a certification exam and license. | ||
#Think about other obstacles you may encounter. Entering a new career at an older age can have unexpected drawbacks and challenges, and these can vary by industry, so be sure you talk with a trusted adviser about the field you are considering. | #Think about other obstacles you may encounter. Entering a new career at an older age can have unexpected drawbacks and challenges, and these can vary by industry, so be sure you talk with a trusted adviser about the field you are considering. | ||
| − | #*Prepare for possible discrimination in the hiring process. While age-based discrimination is illegal, it is still common. Job ads are often coded to indicate that the company seeks a younger employee, using language like "energetic" or "fresh" as code for "young." Some places routinely hire only young employees, such as Facebook, whose employees have a median age of 28.<ref>http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/05/technology-workers-are-young-really-young/?_r=0</ref> | + | #*Prepare for possible discrimination in the hiring process. While age-based discrimination is illegal, it is still common. Job ads are often coded to indicate that the company seeks a younger employee, using language like "energetic" or "fresh" as code for "young." Some places routinely hire only young employees, such as Facebook, whose employees have a median age of 28.<ref name="rf3">http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/05/technology-workers-are-young-really-young/?_r=0</ref> |
| − | #*Even when you land the job, you are likely to be perceived as less technologically advanced simply because of your age.<ref>http://money.howstuffworks.com/second-career-ideas/how-to-change-careers-middle-age2.htm</ref> You can mitigate some of this concern by polishing up your digital presence and taking courses at the local community college in any specific software or hardware you might need to know in your chosen field. | + | #*Even when you land the job, you are likely to be perceived as less technologically advanced simply because of your age.<ref name="rf4">http://money.howstuffworks.com/second-career-ideas/how-to-change-careers-middle-age2.htm</ref> You can mitigate some of this concern by polishing up your digital presence and taking courses at the local community college in any specific software or hardware you might need to know in your chosen field. |
===Marketing Yourself for a New Position=== | ===Marketing Yourself for a New Position=== | ||
