At fifty, many of us feel we finally know what we are doing professionally, have a lot to offer others, and are wiser than ever before. On the other hand, we may also be sensing that this is our last chance to make our mark on the world; that our energy, while strong, is beginning to wane; and that others - amazingly - see us as 'old'. If this is your situation, how do you think about your career?
If you're over 50 and find yourself out of work, try thinking about your situation as your chance to take your work life in a new direction. Your skills, experience and knowledge, gained over years, are hugely valuable, to someone, in some sector. In addition to asking yourself what sort of work you want as above, ask yourself:
Is there a sector you would like to work in that is different from where you have been working?
If you've always been in business, do you want to experiment with working in government or the third sector? If you've worked in public service, there may be many businesses who value your contacts and insider knowledge.
Asking yourself these questions is challenging, and generating useful answers is easier if you work with someone else, as they will listen most skilfully, and help you tease out answers that suit you. An older person who has lots of life experience can also help, as can people with experience of HR or learning and development. Once you have got clear on these questions, it is much easier to move forward and take control of your career.
If you're over 50 and find yourself out of work, try thinking about your situation as your chance to take your work life in a new direction. Your skills, experience and knowledge, gained over years, are hugely valuable, to someone, in some sector. In addition to asking yourself what sort of work you want as above, ask yourself:
Is there a sector you would like to work in that is different from where you have been working?
If you've always been in business, do you want to experiment with working in government or the third sector? If you've worked in public service, there may be many businesses who value your contacts and insider knowledge.
Asking yourself these questions is challenging, and generating useful answers is easier if you work with someone else, as they will listen most skilfully, and help you tease out answers that suit you. An older person who has lots of life experience can also help, as can people with experience of HR or learning and development. Once you have got clear on these questions, it is much easier to move forward and take control of your career.
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