How many of you find that 50+ is a tough age to find a new career?
(or even a job for that matter?)
Christina Langdon
Bringing clarity and joy to women in the C-Suite
99
04/15/21 at 2:29PM UTC
Your years are your wisdom and talent are at their finest and your voice has something important to say. Stay in that.
What if your wildest dreams for your next career were not dreams at all, but big plans waiting for you to execute?
You deserve to become all that you were meant to be. We all do.
Anyone who doesnt hire due to age and experience are people you dont want to work with. On the other side it is up to each and everyone of us over 50 to stay relevant. Happy to share more....
Anonymous
02/14/21 at 7:47PM UTC
I couldn’t agree more! It’s so common to start thinking about a next chapter in midlife - and so doable too. But stepping back and getting clarity on what it is you’d like to do and how your values and strengths align is critical to avoid being stuck spinning your wheels with no forward movement.
At EvolveMe gaining clarity is the first step in our process. Once you’re clear, your network can help connect you with the right people to move forward and you can evaluate if there are any skills gaps you need to fill. ?
Diana SparacinVP/Sr. Dir Solution Architecture, Services
104
02/02/21 at 10:42PM UTC
Dear career changer at 50+. You are not unusual in wanting to know what's next or in your desire to change careers at this point in your life.
At times I've been able to find great new positions, earning the income I want, and at other times not so much. Most/all of the positions have been though my personal network, built up over a long time, being open, saying yes, and finally asking for what I want. For example, in 2016, I asked for full-time work when I knew the budget was there, and went from part-time to full-time in 2 weeks. It resulted in a 9-10 month contract and then another 18 month contract. At other times it's not been so easy. Things have changed rapidly over the last few years, and what previously worked when it comes to finding a new role/position doesn't seem to work now.
I've personally done some soul searching in the recent weeks/months to figure out what I wanted to do next and realized that the life I would LOVE living is something very different from what I've been doing. It's causing me to refocus and go down a very different path. You are not alone!!
After recently completing a 3-day workshop on getting my own clarity, I'd have to say that the #1 thing you have to do is get clarity on what is it you want your career to look like. What do you want it to include, and sometimes even more importantly. what don't you want it to include? For example: I do not want to travel 100%. It may be easier to start with what you don't want and then flip it to what you do want. Write down as many don'ts and do's as you can.
In addition, I'd look at the postings for the new positions/ career you want, what skills are required, duties, etc., but also about how they talk about it. Look for your transferable skills, things that can be used in your new role/career that you already know and have experience with. Look at LinkedIn profiles, find people who are doing want you want to do and ask them for a brief discussion about their career, what they do on a weekly/monthly basis, ask for their advice on how to break into it, etc. You might also consider a visioning workshop to help crystalize things for you.
When you a clearer picture, envision yourself in this new role. If you LOVE what you see, then go for it!
2 things will dictate your success: 1) be as clear as possible as what you would LOVE you career to look like; and 2) KNOW that you have what it takes to do it!
Sending love and positive vibrations to you on your journey!
