subject: Do You Need To Change Jobs Past Age Fifty? [print this page] Do you need to change jobs even though you are already middle aged? This can be a very stressful experience for many older workers. Lots of older workers have been forced out of their past jobs, and may actually have to change careers in order to find employment. Consider some tips to make the transition as quick and painless as possible.
It is very important to be realistic about a midlife career change. This may be a hard time to go after a totally different type of job. At 55, you may not be able or willing to return to school for several years in order to get an advanced degree. As an experienced employee, you probably have a lot of talents and skills you can take to your new job.
What sort of career changes could you manage without having to sacrifice a big investment in retraining? Can you find something that does use a lot ofyour past experiences?
For example, I know a lot of technical workers who have turned to teaching. Conversely, I have met some displaced teachers who used their skills in management. If you teacher can manage a classroom of unruly middle school aged students, she should have no trouble supervising adult workers!
Your task will be to convincce hiring managers that your past skills and experience will enable you to perform a new job well. One thing you may need to accomplish, before you can even speak to a hiring manager, is to produce an updated resume and cover letter. Hiring managers look for different things than they did several years ago. If you have not been job hunting for a long time, you probably need to learn how to make a good resume that will impress today's employers.
To find a good job quickly, you should also sharpen your networking skills. Large job websites and old fashioned recruiters may not be the best thing for you. Finding a job through people you know is usually the fastest, least painful, and most efficient route. You do not have to go out and meet a lot of new people in person to do this. You may have good luck with online social networking. They can provide a quick way to expand your social circles. If you let your offline and online friends know that you are job hunting, they can be a great resource.
It is not impossible to make a midlife career change. If you have a lot of obligations, you probably need to approach your job search with a realistic attitude.
