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3 minute read

Job-Hunting After 50? Tips to Help Ease the Process

As a professional who’s past 50, you’re probably at a career crossroads.

Are you looking for a job that can continue to challenge you, or do you plan to take a backseat and pursue your passion?

If you decide to look around, you may feel apprehensive or fearful of how to take that step forward. That is only natural. Well, it won’t be easy… but it’s not impossible.

Here are some steps that can help make your job-hunting journey easier.

1. Refine your resume

For a start, you need to constantly update your resume.

Identify your transferable skills from your current or past roles that are relevant to your desired role and be sure to include them.

Your resume should ideally be kept at two pages. In addition, consider seeking professional advice by engaging a Career Coach to guide you further on your resume, interview skills, or job search techniques.

2. Keep an open mind

You’ll need to have a growth mindset and be prepared to embrace the possibility of reporting to a younger boss.

Avoid a “been-there-done-that” attitude and portray yourself as someone who is willing to pick up new ways of working. That said, do view your age as an asset and learn how to differentiate yourself from younger competitors.

3. Network, network, network!

With your years of experience, you’ll have many industry contacts, from ex-bosses and ex-subordinates to peers, friends, or even your vendors or suppliers. Use them to your advantage!

You’d be surprised how many of them will be happy to help.

Don’t stop expanding your professional horizons – network more through your university alumni, industry associations, or events using mobile apps like Meetup or Eventbrite.

4. Embrace LinkedIn

In this day and age, we all need an online presence.

Get on LinkedIn and connect with fellow professionals. It’s one of the biggest platforms where headhunters and recruiters find candidates for their clients.

So start being active on LinkedIn, and let your desired job find you.

5. Start volunteering

Volunteering not only expands your network, but it can also allow you to expand your skills and ascertain if that is the kind of work you want to go into.

It also helps explain the employment gaps in your resume. A popular site to look for possible volunteer work is Giving.sg.

6. Get set for lifelong learning

Remember to upgrade yourself to stay employable!

Get out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself with new knowledge. There are many free online courses like Udemy and Coursera or classroom lessons that you can apply for on MySkillsFuture.

Professionals above 50 can also tap on government subsidies to upgrade themselves.

Want to increase your chances of nailing the job interview? Our virtual seminars can teach you effective job search strategies, enhance your personal brand, and more. Explore Career GRIT to learn more!

7. Consider self-employment

With your years of industry experience, perhaps you can leverage them to start a consultancy service or business, or provide training to pass down your skills and knowledge.

But before you jump into any business, remember to do market research, understand what is required, and the process of setting up a business.

While you may think that your age is a disadvantage in your job search, it certainly has its benefits.

Your experience, on-the-job problem solving, critical thinking, and other quantifiable results can still help wow your potential employer!

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