Who will hire me when I turn 50?
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Anonymous
| I have a fairly stressful job in project management and am 40 years old. When I turn 50, I'd like to do similar work in a less stressful environment. I don't need to make the same salary I make now. Is that a reasonable plan? Will it be much harder for me to find a new job at the age of 50? |
Anonymous
| I am 44, in a different field, and worried about the same thing. |
Anonymous
| I am past 50 and looking and very qualified for the jobs for which I am applying. It seems that all of the experience that I have amassed since I was last on the market doesn't matter a whole lot What I have noticed is that recruiters use code words like "energetic, informal culture" as so forth to signal that the companies' workforce and leadership skew younger. I have avoided dropping graduation years from my resume because I understand that is a real red flag as to age. |
Anonymous
I leave graduation dates out. To keep them in or not is a highly debated question. The key is to get older AND also have skills in demand. For example, if you are an accountant, become a CPA. If you are in IT, become SAP certified, etc. You have to offset a perceived weakness with a strength. |
Anonymous
| Yes, OP, it will be much harder. You might get lucky and land your dream job, but I would not count on it. I was absolutely shocked at the difference in my desirability as an employee between 40 and 50. I'd gained so much more experience and thought I'd be highly desirable at 50, but people my age are being laid off in droves. Why? Because we're too expensive, AND because younger employers do not want to be intimidated by older workers with more experience and better skills. And post 2008, things changed completely, and likely permanently. Plan to start your own business and be your own boss, but if you want a different type of job, you'd better find it before you turn 50. |
Anonymous
|
OP,
The problem is everyone is trying to get everyone to do more for less and with less. It's possible this job does not exist. If it does, go for it now. You will not be rewarded for 10 years experience. Starting your own business: Really tough. So many non-billable hours are spent on marketing and administrative tasks. Plus no benefits. I was independent for years. Never again! |
Anonymous
| My mother is an accountant and after 30 years of working for the same company they decided to shut down this yr. At the age of 60 my mother found a new job with equal pay and benifits. |
Anonymous
and really the exception to the rule. |
Anonymous
| Get a PMP. Start networking now, etc etc. |
Anonymous
|
dunno
Most of my co-workers are a good 15-20 years younger than I, and they love me. I am good at my job and can act in a mentor capacity, which helps, but I also consult with them immediately on technology issues. They love showing off their skills! It's about mindset, I think. |
Anonymous
Is it a STEM job? |
Anonymous
| Education still seems to value older, experienced people whether it be in the classroom or administration. Schools like people who have worn a lot of hats and can see different perspectives and points of view. There are alternative routes to licensure if you want to try teaching. The UVA/VT tech campus in Falls Church has work shops on how to go about it. |
Anonymous
| I'm a SAHM who worked previously as an attorney. When I return to work in a year or so, I wonder if I'll find anything out there. |
Anonymous
Don't fool yourself. They think you are slow and not tech savvy. |
Anonymous
And you know this how? |