Finally Help Is Available For Those Over 50
For many older adults, getting a new job or starting a new career is no easy feat. This is often because they have been out of the workforce for so long that their qualifications have been lost, or their skills and experience are outdated. The situation is even more dire for those who are over 50 because age discrimination and stigma can actually be worse for the older generation.
In spite of all this, millions of Americans are still determined to start a new career either full-time or part-time after they reach fifty. This means that there is a great need for resources that can help them learn about program options and plan ahead for success. In fact, in 2011 alone, nearly 10 million people over fifty received Social Security benefits.
This may be the reason why so many websites have popped up in recent years with the goal of equipping anyone over 50 with the information they need to get back into the work force successfully. There are even positive articles appearing in major newspapers and magazines such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today as well as popular blogs and websites that cover the subject.
The fact is that transitioning into new jobs poses a number of challenges for older workers. For one thing, most employers are not willing to take the risk when hiring someone who is over 50 because they know they will have to pay them less than those under 50, even if they are more productive. However, there are ways around this obstacle by finding a job that has flexible hours or an existing corporate structure where you can start out with lower pay until you develop your skills so that you can earn higher wages in the future.
Another challenge older workers face when they decide to leave the workforce is simply learning how to do it. Becoming a volunteer or working part time can help you build skills while satisfying your need to contribute while learning new things at the same time. Coupled with this is the fact that older workers need to learn how to ask for a raise and make themselves more valuable in the eyes of their employers.
If you are an older worker interested in taking control of your future, then consider these tips:
1) Get Involved In Your Community: One of the best ways for older adults (especially women) to use their skills and experience is by volunteering at nursing homes, senior centers or even retirement homes. If you are interested in developing a new skill or specializing in a particular area, then consider going to talk to your local community college about the possibilities for taking a class or starting an individualized program.
2) Dig Into Your Past: If you have been out of the workforce for a while, then you might start by looking into your past and seeing if there is anything that can help you develop your skills further. This might mean getting a list of former employers and even former co-workers to ask them if they know of any opportunities that would be right for you. You can also ask them what kind of things they remember about the work that you did so that you know how far back to go when it comes to updating your skill set.
3) Think Outside The Box: If you are interested in working in a particular field, then start looking into trade schools and vocational schools to see if there is anything that interests you. Some schools offer courses on providing support services to older adults and even help match students with internships or part-time jobs that they can do during the summer. Once you have completed a program at a vocational or community college, then you can transfer it to an accredited university so that you can have a degree or continue with your studies in the field of work that interests you most.
4) Manage Your Finances: When someone is thinking about leaving their current job, they need to first realize how much money they will have to live on if they have to do it on their own. This means that you will either have to withdraw a significant amount of money from your savings or ask your friends and family for help. If you are interested in finding work, you may also want to consider taking advantage of government programs such as the Senior Community Service Employment Program or the Older Americans Act so that you can provide for your basic needs and be ready for any eventualities.
While there are a lot of programs and options available for older adults interested in finding a new job, it is important to remember that there is still a stigma attached to being over fifty and that this can work against you. This is why you need to be sure to get the help you need so that you will feel confident about the process. In addition, those who are over fifty who join an organization like Alumni Reunion try to make it easier for older adults by keeping track of alumni who might have jobs available or other connections based on their career paths or skills sets. There are also websites such as Oupsource where employers and career coaches can connect with older adults looking for work.
If you are interested in keeping up with the latest news on careers and job opportunities for older workers, then consider following blogs written by reputable sources such as Time Magazine, Forbes and the Harvard Business Review. You can also search out articles that target specific issues such as how to ask for a raise or where to find programs that can help you develop your skills. There are even websites like Evolve that offer tips and advice on how someone over 50 can return to the workforce successfully.
The fact is that many older adults believe that age should not be a barrier for pursuing new goals or fulfilling dreams. If you are over fifty and want to take control of your future, then the first step is to educate yourself about the opportunities that are available for older workers. Once you learn the basics of how to connect with employers or seek out volunteer opportunities, then you will be able to find what it is that you are looking for.
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Conclusion: Those who are over fifty and interested in finding work need to be sure to look into programs and options that are available. There are many ways that older adults can seek out opportunities that they can use to develop a skill or start a new program. The important thing is to have the willingness and interest in looking into the possibilities so that you do not miss out on what could be the right career move for you.
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Copyright © 2014 . "Help Your Customers Stay Current With HR Information." All rights reserved. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners.