Career-Life can start after 50.
Whether you are ready for a new career, returning to the workforce or simply bored of homelife, being over 50 doesn’t mean there isn’t a job for you. Office Manager, Consultant, High School Teacher, IT, Accounting, etc. – whatever your skills are there is a job out there. And you know our motto; if there isn’t one – create it! But that’s another blog.
Jumping back into the workforce is an exciting time. You get to meet new people, have a new set of responsibilities, and see different walks of life you can’t get from your current home-life.
Over the age of 50 you are wise, mature, experienced (in all walks of life) and if you’re job hunting, ready to take a risk. Also, there is a great news! The unemployment rate is way down! You have your pick of the litter for the job you want. However, times have severely changed. Update your resume with a modern and professional look. Attend a business networking event to spruce up your social skills. You won’t believe how much conversations have changed while you were away. Say hello again to old co-workers and colleagues. Reduce your expectations but set your standards.
Related article: How to Effectively Network at Networking Events
You’ve been away from the workforce for 10-15 years, what made you return?
I returned to work because retirement isn’t as much fun as when the other party still works. I was blessed to have an opportunity to try out something entirely new and found that the perks of retirement aren’t for me.
Knowing what you know now, would you have made the same choice to leave when you did, or would you have waited?
I, would definitely have made the same choice to leave, as I had the chance to see what retirement holds for me in the future.
Being 50-plus with plenty of experience do you feel this was an asset to hiring managers or did you feel they wanted someone younger?
With me being young at heart and having over 20 years of solid legal background experience with some of the top law firms in the country, and working side by side with high-profile attorneys – both were an asset.
Resume: What did you put for the age gap of working experience?
The truth is that hiring managers, in many cases, are open to honesty.
How did you answer the question on interviews, what have you been up to for the past 10-15 years?
I successfully started and ran a small business.
References – who did you use?
My previous employers. I was fortunate enough to maintain communication with all of them.
Interview Skills: did you practice or just go straight into it?
Straight into.
How have interviewing changed since before i.e., Facetime, Skype, etc?
The interviewing process is the same; however, the pre-interviewing is now being done via Skype.
Describe your first day back into the office…
My first day back into the office was basic training.
You went headfirst back into a full-time position, would you have been open to working a part-time?
No. I don’t like part-time anything.
Do you feel being 50-plus with no social media or online presence is a disadvantage for working in corporate today? Why do you choose to be offline?
Not at all. Not having an online social media presence actually works to my advantage. I am private, which is great when you are interviewing to work for high profile people. Trust: I know about this factor, as I have had to hire and the screening process entails looking into all channels of your life.
Dress: Corporate Make-over – yes or no? How has the way people dress changed since you were working 10 years ago? How do you dress today?
The working world’s attire has changed dramatically. Today’s working world are wearing flats and dresses without tights. I have dressed with suits, tights and heels in the work force for over 20 years plus, and I still dress the same.
Salary: In a market full of competition do you stand true to your value of what you were earning when you left or understand that there will be a decrease since you are re-entering the field?
Working for high-profile attorneys over the years has always put me in a higher bracket on the salary scale. In returning, I feel my salary still meets my skill level of experience / education.
What advice would you give someone in your shoes?
Work hard smiling.
a Curvy Virgo, five things to ask:
What would you tell your 21-year-old self? Stay focus on important things.
I start my day… with a workout.
If you could invite any woman to dinner, who would it be? Barbara Bush
Best advice you have received? Keep your commitments.
Life motto you live by? Be honest with others and with yourself.