Starting Over At 50 Career

Idea : Office Jobs With Opportunities To Climb The Career Ladder

Working After 50: How to Start Over and Build a Great Life

Maybe youre getting to a stage where youd like more responsibilities, higher pay, and a key role in mentoring and managing others. In that case, you can make this progression relatively directly in a range of professions.

Business analysts translate between technical teams and business teams. They understand what IT professionals are saying and doing. They can communicate that to less-techy arms of the business so that both can collaborate productively. The position is a good starting point for a sequence of promotions to roles such as project manager and other management jobs in IT and business.
Financial analysts assess businesses by analysing financial and performance data. They may produce financial plans and analytical reports, and projections. As you gain seniority, there are pathways in various managerial roles, even executive roles like CFO. Although, at these levels, you may be expected to get further business qualifications while you work, such as an MBA.
Office managers are responsible for efficiently operating administrative tasks in an office. Theyre involved in hiring and training admin staff, keeping detailed records, and managing the office budget. The office manager is an excellent role for people with existing admin experience and something to work towards if youre new to administration. From there, office managers can progress into senior managerial positions, human resources, or executive roles such as COO.

Amanda’s Career Change at 50+

Why Has A New Career At 50 Become Popular

A new career at 50 can be challenging, but making the change can make a lot of sense. Most people at 50 have to contend with mortgages, children, tuition fees, and car payments. While those may scare a few, it should not hold them back from pursuing their dreams. Here are the top reasons to career change after 50

Most of us are self aware at 50. You can answer the question, what is your ideal career. You have the flexibility to do what you always wanted to do.
It can be tough to bounce back if you lose your job. Start by becoming proactive, and look for jobs for older people jobs for 50+. Begin by preparing for new ones. You can take up extra training to upgrade your skills.
One of the advantages of hitting 50 is having a professional network. You will be able to reach out to others for help.
Older employees changing jobs after 20 years can show their past achievements to prospective employees. They can show how you have helped their former clients achieve profit.

Also read: Career counseling | 15 types of career coaches to choose from

How To Get Started With Making A Career Change

Before you get started on your new adventure, its best to make a plan. Here are a few suggestions to help you focus your mind:

Determine what you want to do.
Find out as much as you can about the industry you want to work in.
Understand the financial impact and associated consequences of making any career changes.
Speak to people you know with experience in the area you want to move into. You can read more about networking in our article Networking to find a job.
Start applying for jobs!

You May Like: Army Aviation Officer Career Path

How Do You Start Over At 50

Most people wont have a clue where and how to start over in life, but only a few know they have to start somewhere.

Now, you are in a state where questions continuously flood your mind the moment you wake up in the morning and before you shut your eyes to sleep. You cant eat, sleep, or even think properly.

At this moment, you are paralyzed. But if you want change, theres no one that can do it for you except yourself. The harsh truth is, it is up to you how to move on from the misery that you are living in for the past few years.

Heres a little pep talk you can do to motivate yourself: As soon as you wake up in the morning, stand in front of the mirror and swore to turn that reflections life around and make his life worth living.

Along with that promise, vow to yourself to never let your age hinder your life goals.

As we all know, many people use their age as an excuse to talk themselves out of pursuing their goals. But who said that we stop living in our 50s?

Its never an issue of age. Who cares if youre old? Youve got the wisdom, experience, and life lessons that most young people dont have. Wield your experiences to your advantage.

Do you want to become a lawyer because you enjoy reading case studies? Then get your law degree. If you want to be a full-time artist because people love your art, go ahead and grab your materials.

Age is anything but an anchor in life.

Start Journaling To Get Organized

Now that you are on track to build a bulletproof routine, it is time to start writing down all the to-do items that have been accumulated. While in the past you would just write it everywhere, you should consider investing in a Journal.

You will find all makes, brands, and models online. And, some of them are extremely affordable too.

You May Like: Best Degree For Hr Career

Believe It Is Possible

People often have to start over during dark times. You might have lost your job, loved one, your romantic partner or even your home. You might worry that there is no light at the end of the tunnel. You are wrong. You CAN start over, and you will be stronger than before once you do.

Affirmations are great for this. Create some positive affirmations such as Things are getting better every day or I CAN do this and stick them on your mirror or carry them with you in your wallet. Dont forgot to read them aloud to yourself every day.

Another thing that helped me immensely was to start a daily gratitude practice and I have continured it until this day. At the time, I thought it was pointless. I thought there was NOTHING to be grateful for, but I found the more I looked for things, the more I found the way the aspen leaves shook and shimmered in the breeze, my pups on my lap while we watched T.V., the success of my grown children. Theres really a lot when you stop to think about it.

A Note On Further Education

Perhaps you feel that going to college , finishing college or pursuing graduate education even at 50 or older will open more doors.

My own mother went back to college a very fine university in the Boston area at that when she was otherwise a stay-at-home wife and mother. She began that process at 30, graduated at 40, and was extremely proud of that accomplishment. Since she found herself divorced and on her own in her 50s, that college degree was helpful. Those were, however, different times. The workforce was very much a different place. And the cost of that education, just a fraction of todays price tag.

In her 60s, she went back to school again, this time in a continuing education program, more than anything for her own enjoyment.

Do do your homework if what you are really after is job opportunity. You may be better off with a training course and be sure to vet any class, course, seminar, or certificate program . Or, you may be able to take evening or continuing education classes, far less of a financial investment than a full-blown college program, if you are fortunate enough to live near a university that offers them.

Many excellent universities also offer online courses and programs.

Also Check: Patient Access Representative Career Path

Put Yourself Out There

As you embark on something new, build on your current connections. Get together with friends to share whats going on in your life. You can use social media as a way to reconnect with friends you havent seen in a while.

You can also find new friends through volunteering or attending events tailored to people 50+ in your community. Dont be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.

Your social health is important to your well-being, and having good friends to support this transition is vital.

You Have A Clearer Idea Of What You Want From A Job

Starting over at 50 – And Doing It Better

Older people often have the self-awareness to know what they seek from a career. According to Cynthia Corsetti, a career transition expert:

In our society, we make our first career choice when we are 19 or 20 and choose our college major. Many people work in that career for 30 years, but they never feel fulfilled or energized.

She adds:

Such people dont feel as if their life has a purpose. Changing careers once youre 50 is a different game altogether. You know what you want to leave as your legacy, you know what you want to give back to the world.

Don’t Miss: How To Start An Hr Career

You Want To Work For The Best Boss Ever: Yourself

People who have labored under close supervision for decades often enjoy working for themselves. They can set their own hours and choose their own assignments.

There are a variety of career choices over 50, and that includes self-employment. You may not get the same benefits as you would working for someone else, but youll gain the freedom to set your own hours and choose your clients. Just make sure you pick a profession that matches your skills.

Self-employment can give you a renewed sense of purpose, as well as the flexibility to set your own schedule, says Weiler.

Have you had a career change at 50? If so, how did it work out for you? Do you have any tips to make the transition easier? Share your experience or thoughts with us by commenting below or on our .

Do You Have A Passion You Never Exploited

The chances are that you already know someone who wanted to be a doctor or firefighter since they were a kidand today, they are successful in their professions. However, sometimes, life brings us to something else and distracts us from our original goal.

If you have just become fond of something during previous years, this is your chance to follow it. In many cases, having a passion or interest can be an excellent starting point for this personal journey.

You should always ensure that there is still space for the activity you are passionate about in todays fast-changing market.

Finding The Right Career Coach

Finding a knowledgeable consultant to guide you in your efforts can save valuable time. A career coach can be someone that works in a field you are looking to enter. It can also be a professional recruiter. It can even be a friend or former colleague that has the network to help you on your way.

Be careful not to invest in time-wasters. Most people want to be helpful, but not all have the means to aid you in your journey. Their intentions may be pure, but your circumstances require that you find gainful employment as soon as possible, even if that means an entry-level position.

Try and find a success expert that successfully helps people achieve their career goals. You dont want to spend time with people that talk a lot as a means of self-validation. Try out different coaches until you find one you can make a real connection with.

You Can Get Job Satisfaction

If youre like me, moving into tech can be the way you finally find career happiness. A big part of why I knew my job at Skillcrush was a fit for me was because I was able to work remotely from day one, so I could keep living in the place I love.

You might consider switching to tech because you need to get more job security or want to do more interesting and creative work. Or maybe you want to have a job that also lets you serve a greater purpose.

While we can find work like this in other industries, tech really offers a lot of options for diverse and flexible work, which is why getting a tech job can be a finally moment for later-in-life career changers.

Source: Stack Overflow

Statistics show that job satisfaction in the industry is often high. Stack Overflows 2020 Developer Survey reported 83% of developers are happy in their jobs and Glassdoors 50 Best Jobs in America for 2020 ranked six tech jobs in the top ten of all jobs when looking at job satisfaction, average salary, and number of open jobs.

Keep Track Of Your Progress

A great way to make you feel like you’re making progress and closing in on your goal is to keep track of all of the things you have done to get you there. That way, even if the transition takes a little longer than you had hoped, you stay positive that you are on your way to transitioning into your new career.

What to track:

Meetings attended

Practical Tips On Making A Career Change At 50+

So youve decided to take the plunge and make a career switch in your 50s. No matter what your reasons or what type of a career change you are embarking on, here are some helpful hints to make the transition easier:

1. Deal with the Fear

As stated earlier, any big life change comes with both fear and anxiety. Things never seem to go as smoothly as planned, you will always have bumps and roadblocks along the way. By recognizing this and even planning for it, you are less likely to let these issues derail your progress.

If you find yourself becoming discouraged by all of the stumbling blocks, there are always resources to help. Contacting a career coach is a good place to start, they can help you with an overall strategy for your career change as well as the interview and hiring process, resume writing / updating and more. Just Google Career Coach for your options.

I also recommend using the services of a professional counsellor or therapist to help deal with the stress and anxiety of this major life event.

Its always good to have an unbiased third party to help you work through the problems that inevitably arise.

2. Know Your Why

Its important that you have a clear understanding of the why you are making this career change. Is it to have more free time, reduce stress, follow a passion or be your own boss?

3. Be Realistic

Requesting honest feedback from friends and co-workers is a good place to start, but this is another area where a career coach can come in handy.

Don’t Miss: Career Path For Business Intelligence Analyst

Pick Up A Side Hustle

Side hustles were never considered as accessible as they are today. However, due to the rapid increase in the sharing economy and online services more and more people have found a part-time job that can add extra income in a flexible way.

If you are looking for a better way to improve your prospect and you have enough free time, a side hustle could be what you need.

How To Change Careers At 50 With No Degree

Start a Coding Career at 50?

If you are worried that you wont be able to change your career because you do not have a university degree, take note that one is not always required. Even for a functional career change, you will not necessarily need a university or college qualification. Below you will find some tips for changing careers without needing a degree.

Check out career prospects that align with your interests and career goals.
Compare the required abilities for your future career to your current expertise to determine transferable skills.
If you like a job but feel you lack a certain skillset, fill that gap by attending training courses or bootcamps. These do not require you to study for years to gain a relevant qualification.
Gain experience by doing side jobs or volunteer work.
Use your network to get career advice or, better yet, to find job openings or request recommendations.

You May Like: Hands On Real Estate Career Institute

Seek What You Are Passionate About

Lets face it were more than halfway through our lives, and we cant always control time to our advantage. If you could do one thing to reinvent your life, we highly recommend focusing on your passion.

Lets face it were more than halfway through our lives, and we cant always control time to our advantage. If you could do one thing to reinvent your life, We would highly recommend focusing on your passion.

Find yourself a job that makes you excited to go to work. Start honing your hobbies. Figure out the things you love to talk and learn about.

Once you find your craft, hone it. If its really something you love, practicing should be fulfilling and enjoyable.

Best Employers For Workers Over 50

Changing jobs at 50 can be the perfect age to take some risks and try something new. Many companies welcome the tenacity and experience of older candidates. While some companies go the extra mile to welcome all age groups, the best employers for workers over 50 are:

KPMG is one of the biggest accounting firms in the world.
Bucknell University is a private liberal arts college in Pennsylvania.
General Mills or Big G is an American multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer foods.
Pfizer is a leading biopharmaceutical company in the world.
Rover.com is an online platform for people to sell and buy pet care services.

Finalize Your Plan Make It Happen

Once you’ve determined what you need to do to make the switch, turn those tasks into concrete action plans and accompanying organization. Make short and long term goals as to what you want to accomplish, and give them a completion date. Also attach rough dates to each action item you need to accomplish to make your successful career change, and keep everything organized. Your plan may include:

A list of contacts
A recordkeeping system to record who you’ve contacted and what you send them
A file for your resume, portfolio, and other materials for self-marketing opportunities
Dates for targeted marketing, job fairs, informational interviews, networking events, webinars, etc.
Dates for skill building, seminars, workshops, volunteering, classes, certification and more

Where to start:

This site offers a plethora of job search organization tools, including setting up email alerts, applying for jobs, searching for jobs and more