Thursday, March 28, 2024
ADVT 
Life

Finding a New Job Post 40

By Holly Caplan, 31 Jan, 2019 10:14 PM

    Five tips for women when looking for a new job over the age of 40.

     

     

    In 2024, women over 65 will make up roughly the same percentage of the female workforce as older men do of the male workforce. Additionally, twice as many women over 55 will be in the labour force as women ages 16-24.

    Knowing the stigma, knowing the numbers, and the reality, what is the best way to approach finding a new job later in life?

    Here are five tips if you are an older adult looking for a new job:

     

    Use your Network


    Sending our resumes to career websites will do nothing for us. We get pushed aside as we are categorized. The tip here is to use our network of colleagues, former business associates and friends to find companies who are hiring and will have a genuine interest in what we can do for their organizations. This method does work. Finding like-minded individuals with the same goals of working smart and getting stuff done will provide the best platform for finding a new working environment.


     

    Show off your skills


    At this point in our careers, we have a proven list of accomplishments and skillsets. We have navigated some of our toughest times and have already been through the learning. Because of this we require less training and possess the right skills, because yeah, we know how to do it. We need to show off our confidence and accolades to a potential employer. They need to know that our leadership skills and experience will fit in flawlessly with their company.

     

    Seek a mentor, be a mentor

    In recent weeks I have had great women mentor me. Women of a certain age. Women who are drama-free, make things happen and don’t sweat the small stuff. I appreciate them, have learned from them and have committed to do the same for others. This is important as this will help us change the tide and break the stigma.


     

    Be bold

    We can ask harder questions in the interview process and as an employee. Perhaps questions that challenge company methods or goals.

    If anything as women, unfortunately, we have been taught to be compliant and agreeable to get through the stepping-stones of our careers. We don’t have to do that anymore. We have arrived. Work experience has taught us to think quickly, make decisions and share opinions. We have a lot to teach, and hiring companies need to appreciate this.


    We are already tech savvy

    Much to the disbelief of others, age doesn’t stifle our tech knowledge. It’s who we are as a society. Most of us already use work related apps like Zoom, Slack, Dropbox and others. The point is, our tech knowledge isn’t lacking, so that is no excuse for hiring companies or managers. We are already there. This is not a hindrance.


    About the Author

    Holly Caplan is a workplace issues expert, career coach and author of Surviving the Dick Clique: A Girl's Guide to Surviving the Male Dominated Corporate World. For more information, visit,  www.hollycaplan.com

    MORE Life ARTICLES

    Getting Hitched? Avoid Last-Minute Disasters

    Wedding preparation is a hectic task but with proper planning, time management and help, you can ease the burden a little. Here's how.    

    Getting Hitched? Avoid Last-Minute Disasters

    3 Ways A New Credit Card Can Boost Your Side Job

    3 Ways A New Credit Card Can Boost Your Side Job
    Here's how a regular rewards credit card or a rewards-earning business credit card can offer value to your side hustle.

    3 Ways A New Credit Card Can Boost Your Side Job

    How To Keep Up With Your New Year Resolutions?

    How To Keep Up With Your New Year Resolutions?
    Chaotic routines, dwindling will-power or plain laziness tend to succumb to these at some point or the other. However a few steps might help you to achieve the goals you have set for yourself in 2019.  

    How To Keep Up With Your New Year Resolutions?

    'Tech Addicts' Seek Solace In 12 Steps And Rehab

    'Tech Addicts' Seek Solace In 12 Steps And Rehab
    BELLEVUE, Wash. — We like to say we're addicted to our phones or an app or some new show on a streaming video service.

    'Tech Addicts' Seek Solace In 12 Steps And Rehab

    Did 2018 Usher In A Creeping Tech Dystopia?

    Did 2018 Usher In A Creeping Tech Dystopia?
    The list is long: High-tech tools for immigration crackdowns. Fears of smartphone addiction . YouTube algorithms that steer youths into extremism. An experiment in gene-edited babies .

    Did 2018 Usher In A Creeping Tech Dystopia?

    Six Fashion Options For Men For New Year Party

    Whether you are having drinks with your friends and family or with your work colleagues, its important to dress up well for the New Year party.

    Six Fashion Options For Men For New Year Party