If you’re over 50 and thinking about heading down a new professional path, you’ll need more than determination to land a job in a different industry. Are you over 50 and contemplating a radical career change? You’re not alone. As risky as this move may sound , there are many reasons why it might be the best decision for your financial well-being, mental health, and quality of life. Many people facing this decision have seen their careers permanently sidelined by the recession. Others are simply bored and ready for a change. And there are even those who’ve retired from their primary career path and now want to get stuck into something different—even something daring. If you’re about to jump ship and try something new in this chapter of your working life, keep a few considerations in mind. Be patient As both millennials and baby boomers mature, competition in the professional sphere will continue to escalate. It’s simple to assume that the younger folks are pushing out the experienced ones, but it’s a tad more complex than that. The Baby Boomers were an unusually large generation (hence the name), so job competition among your peers is fierce even without the budding professionals. Be patient and expect your search to last a little longer than it did the last time you stepped into the marketplace. No matter what, don’t lose hope. Before you act, organize your finances Prepare for a slow launch period in which you may be working for a while as an underpaid newbie. In order to manage this transition period, you may need to downsize your lifestyle first. Plan ahead and develop realistic expectations about your potential income during the next several years. Learn new skills, but don’t overspend If a few courses at a community college will get you where you’re going, don’t invest your life savings in an Ivy League PhD. Watch out for overinflated training costs, and avoid private for-profit companies that peddle fake college degrees. Be selective, and take control of your learning process; don’t open your wallet for anyone who offers to sell you the credentials you need. Find mentors Try to identify someone who has already blazed the trail you’re about to travel. Turn to this person for advice and feedback along the way. This way you can avoid easy mistakes and take advantage of available shortcuts. Don’t reinvent the wheel, even if feels like you’re the first person in the world to embark on a career change at your age. Research your new field If you’d like to know something about your new field, never assume. In the internet age, the answers are right at your fingertips. Do some research. If you’d like to assess the number of open positions in your area, average salaries, the likelihood of someone your age finding happiness in this field, the personal stories of others who have gone before you, or anything else, look up your inquiries online. In the process, you may discover a new option or a new corner of the industry that intrigues you.. Create a killer cover letter and resume It goes without saying, but your cover letter and resume will need to stand above your competitors.
Over 50 and Looking for Part-time Work? Five Great Jobs to Consider
If you’re on the hunt for a job with flexible hours and a decent living wage, here are a few options that might fit the bill. The fifth decade of life can present an interesting set of challenges and opportunities for job seekers. If you’re between the ages of 50 and 59, you may be a long way from retirement and you may have no interest in kicking off your shoes and living off your nest egg. (Most of us can’t afford an early-retirement lifestyle anyway). But if you’re laid off or otherwise find yourself out of a job, getting back on track at this age can require a very steep climb. It’s not unusual for job seekers in this category to stay on the market for months or even years at a time, and in the interim, other obligations—including family and health issues—may add a wrench to the works. So what kinds of jobs might fit the bill? Here are five positions that can serve as a placeholder while you search for full-time work or provide a part-time paycheck while you attend to other obligations.
Retail
If you accept a position in retail, you’ll be working in a store most of the time, and you’ll be helping customers find what they need and processing their payments. You may be on your feet for long hours, and the pay may not compare with what you’re used to—about $21,670 per year or $10.42 per hour according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). But retail employees and managers are always in demand, and the BLS reports that open positions in this field will grow by about 7 percent between 2014 and 2024.
Healthcare Support
The term ‘healthcare support’ covers a wide range of positions, but the need for home health aides, in particular, is increasing dramatically. According to the BLS, as many as 384,000 new hires will be made between 2014 and 2024, many of which may be privy to flexible hours and working arrangements. This role requires someone to help older, sick or disabled individuals with daily living. For example, you may need to shop for groceries, do some light housekeeping and help with bathing and dressing. Pay for this job is around $10.28 per hour.
Real Estate
As a real estate broker or sales agent, you’ll be helping your clients buy and sell properties, and you’re likely to function as a self-employed independent entity. You’ll need to determine the licensing and training credentials required by your state (usually a series of courses followed by an exam). But once you’re licensed and ready to start working with clients, you’ll control your own hours and you’ll earn a median of about $43,430 per year.
Administrative Support
Consider a position as a receptionist, general office clerk, bookkeeper, billing clerk, or personal assistant. According to the BLS, these positions will increase a bit slower than average over the next ten years due to the increasing automation of some of these functions, but don’t let that stop you. This is still a vital human role in most workplaces, and most administrative support positions paid between $35,000 and $39,000 per year in 2014.
Consulting Services
As an independent contractor offering consulting services in your area of expertise, you’ll find clients through a staffing agency (contact one in your local area) or you can simply approach the marketplace on your own, using your personal network and online resources. Some of the most lucrative consulting opportunities take place in IT, since both large and small clients are always looking for flexible ways to bolster cyber security, build their websites, and manage their networks. But consulting services are also valued in a wide range of other industries, including event planning, marketing, design, and business development. If you’re ready to leave a full-time gig but don’t want to throw in the towel entirely just yet, this is a great opportunity to stay plugged in.
