Going back to work in my early 50s

[Anonymous]

I was very involved with the kids school and their activities. I turned one of the volunteer things I did into a job after they all left for college. Nothing to do with my degree or what I did for a career before having babies.

[Anonymous]

I went back to FT work when I was 50 in the same field, but at a lower level. My interview panel was skeptical I wanted the job because they said I wouldn't want to stay in it very long; it was too admin. I convinced them I was fine with it and I would do a great job. But after a year I was bored to tears and asked for a promotion, and because I was such a great worker they gave it to me!

[Anonymous]

If you don't want to go back to similar job, try start a small business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went back to work in my early 50’s after 20 years as SAHM. I got a job in the same sector as I was in when I left. It was all about keeping up connections with people and keeping up with my skills in a volunteer capacity. And luck—job opening at the right time and running into someone that could get me in by chance. Didn’t have luck with LinkedIn or Indeed or anything like that.

I don’t see how you maintain work connections over the course of 20 years when you aren’t working. I assume most people have a network that includes people older who would retire. 20 years is a long long time. I’d struggle what to even share or talk about professionally after not working even 5 years. Your situation seems like an outlier.

That’s a you problem, PP, and shows a lack of creativity, imagination, and hustle. Going back after time off means you need to think differently - you’re not in lockstep with others and you have some different things to offer. It’s really not hard if you open your mind, do your research, and have some guts to figure out what you need to present to make yourself a desirable candidate.

I took 20 years before I went back to my career. In my interviews, I talked about what I had done in the intervening years, how it showed skills development that was applicable to the job; I also talked a bit about my last job before the gap.

For me, the intervening time and doing what I wanted to do showed in my interviews - I wanted to be out of the career and dove into what I was doing. When I wanted to be back in my career, I dove in there. Have energy, enthusiasm, demonstrate your ability to learn and solve problems and get along. Don’t be defensive or feel like you’re less-than because you made different choices.

Also, be aware, a lot of people have career gaps for lots of different reasons. The fact of the gap isn’t all that interesting, tell them what you’ve done and learned during it and what kind of worker it makes you now (as in, not a bored, clock-watching drone; or a disenfranchised decades-long worker who thinks they are owed a promotion, but someone with energy and ambition who is ready to jump in). But also, be humble and not entitled. You may have to hustle and take a lower position than what you left. Jump in and you can switch jumps and work up from there.

Good luck, OP, this is exciting!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a ~20 year career, stayed home for about 10 years and returned to the workforce a few years ago. I was in a technical role and completely pivoted into the admin side. I networked, but also, took a chance on this role knowing that if it didn't work out, I could do something else. I think networking is key, being open to something different and not overthinking an opportunity.

Exactly! Hustle and take some chances. You already took a chance by taking a gap, don’t lose courage now, keep on taking chances and learning new things!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am in your exact situation. 51, almost 12 years at home and a former tech PM. I have no real references anymore, haven't attempted to write a resume (is it even relevant??) and don't even know where to begin.

I”m the PP from above. I utilized the career services office at my graduate school alma mater for resume, interview, and job search advice. Look into that for free help. IRelaunch also has good resume advice for people entering after a career break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about dads? DH was stay at home dad for ten years and is having a really hard time getting back in the work force. This makes me feel terrible.

The returnships are not for women only. They are also for men. Have him look at those since one of the qualifications is that you must be out of the workforce for at least 2 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am in your exact situation. 51, almost 12 years at home and a former tech PM. I have no real references anymore, haven't attempted to write a resume (is it even relevant??) and don't even know where to begin.

Make sure to get a LinkedIn profile together. I landed my job when a recruiter spotted my profile and reached out. I was an SAHM for 13 years.