1412: 9 Tips for Finding a Job After 50 or After You Have Retired by Kathleen Coxwell of New Retirement

[00:00:00] [SPEAKER_00]: This is Optimal Work Daily, Episode 1412, 9 Tips for Finding a Job After 50 or After You Have Retired

[00:00:07] [SPEAKER_00]: by KathleenCoxwell of Newretirement.com. And I'm Dan, I'm your host and I'm with you every single

[00:00:13] [SPEAKER_00]: day reading to you from some great blogs that cover all sorts of work related topics. So right

[00:00:18] [SPEAKER_00]: now let's get to our post from Kathleen as we optimize your life. 9 Tips for Finding a Job

[00:00:28] [SPEAKER_00]: After 50 or After You Have Retired by KathleenCoxwell of Newretirement.com

[00:00:34] [SPEAKER_00]: Working as long as possible is a recommended retirement strategy for almost everyone.

[00:00:39] [SPEAKER_00]: There are so many benefits to working as long as possible and they're not only financial,

[00:00:43] [SPEAKER_00]: working keeps you young, happy, and healthy. However, not everyone wants or needs to do it

[00:00:48] [SPEAKER_00]: and finding a job after 50 can be hard. Here are some of the reasons why and tips for making

[00:00:53] [SPEAKER_00]: it easier. 1. Know that finding work after 50 can be hard. A study by the Government Accountability

[00:01:00] [SPEAKER_00]: Office, GAO, found that common barriers to employment for older workers can include

[00:01:05] [SPEAKER_00]: salary expectations that are too high. You've been working for a long time,

[00:01:10] [SPEAKER_00]: you've built up your earnings, but you may need to compromise on your pay as your skills

[00:01:14] [SPEAKER_00]: might not be as up-to-date as they once were and pay for your job may not be as high as it

[00:01:18] [SPEAKER_00]: once was. Maybe you can get more flexibility or ask for another kind of compensation.

[00:01:23] [SPEAKER_00]: Younger Bosses It seems to be human nature to want to work with people who are like you,

[00:01:28] [SPEAKER_00]: but to keep working you may need to get comfortable rubbing elbows with people from

[00:01:31] [SPEAKER_00]: different generations and make them comfortable with you.

[00:01:35] [SPEAKER_00]: Out-of-date Skills Technology and our culture is changing faster now

[00:01:39] [SPEAKER_00]: than ever before in the history of humankind, whether it's applying for a job via the web,

[00:01:44] [SPEAKER_00]: email, or a tweet, or actually being able to operate the computer applications you might

[00:01:48] [SPEAKER_00]: need for your desired career. Technology and changes in technology can be completely overwhelming.

[00:01:53] [SPEAKER_00]: It can be hard to keep up, but you must. And the good news is that if you can adapt to these

[00:01:58] [SPEAKER_00]: new systems, you are guaranteed to keep your brain in top working order. Learning new

[00:02:02] [SPEAKER_00]: ways of doing things is arguably the best way to keep your brain young.

[00:02:06] [SPEAKER_00]: Expensive Health Benefits The older we get, the more expensive health

[00:02:10] [SPEAKER_00]: premiums can be. Companies can be reticent to bear the burden of those costs.

[00:02:14] [SPEAKER_00]: Bigger companies will be less impacted than smaller firms.

[00:02:18] [SPEAKER_00]: And Bias. Old habits and ideas die hard. We are only at the beginning of reinventing what it really

[00:02:24] [SPEAKER_00]: means to be over 50, and stereotypes still exist. Unfortunately, many people still think of 50 as

[00:02:30] [SPEAKER_00]: the beginning of decline rather than a vibrant time. Be aware of the biases and work hard to

[00:02:35] [SPEAKER_00]: combat them. Two, have an optimistic mindset to find the right job after 50.

[00:02:41] [SPEAKER_00]: Betty Friedan famously said, quote,

[00:02:44] [SPEAKER_00]: Aging is not lost youth, but a new stage of opportunity and strength.

[00:02:50] [SPEAKER_00]: That kind of attitude is the exact right ticket to a new job. You need to approach your job search

[00:02:55] [SPEAKER_00]: wearing your experience as a badge of honor while also being open to the new. Having a great

[00:03:00] [SPEAKER_00]: attitude about your age and aging can not only help you get the right job,

[00:03:04] [SPEAKER_00]: research indicates that it can also keep you youthful. Psychology Today reports that, quote,

[00:03:08] [SPEAKER_00]: Researchers identified that having positive self perceptions about the benefits of getting

[00:03:13] [SPEAKER_00]: older can create a self fulfilling prophecy by helping someone stay mentally, physically,

[00:03:18] [SPEAKER_00]: and psychologically younger. End quote. Three, identify what kind of job you want and why.

[00:03:25] [SPEAKER_00]: There are countless stories of people over 50 completely reinventing themselves.

[00:03:29] [SPEAKER_00]: If you've always worked in sales, there's absolutely no reason why you have to stay

[00:03:33] [SPEAKER_00]: in sales. At this stage of your life, you are more you than you ever have been.

[00:03:37] [SPEAKER_00]: Make sure that you are hunting for the job you really want. Do you want to work for yourself?

[00:03:42] [SPEAKER_00]: Part time or full? Is salary the most important consideration? Do you require benefits?

[00:03:47] [SPEAKER_00]: What do you want to be doing and with home?

[00:03:50] [SPEAKER_00]: Four, market yourself and network online. You need to network and market yourself

[00:03:55] [SPEAKER_00]: to find the job you really want. Nowadays, that usually means doing things online.

[00:04:00] [SPEAKER_00]: LinkedIn Are you on LinkedIn? LinkedIn has become

[00:04:03] [SPEAKER_00]: the de facto resume clearinghouse and online networking site. If you're looking for a job,

[00:04:08] [SPEAKER_00]: put yourself on LinkedIn and network through your online connections.

[00:04:12] [SPEAKER_00]: Facebook and Instagram Different people have different ideas about what's

[00:04:16] [SPEAKER_00]: appropriate and comfortable for posting to social media. However, if you're job searching

[00:04:20] [SPEAKER_00]: and you're comfortable doing so, post about what kind of job you are looking for.

[00:04:24] [SPEAKER_00]: Acts Many people network and make professional

[00:04:27] [SPEAKER_00]: connections on Twitter or Acts. If you are job searching, it might be useful to get more

[00:04:31] [SPEAKER_00]: active on this platform and your own website. If you're going into business on your own,

[00:04:36] [SPEAKER_00]: you may need to create a website or some kind of online presence through Yelp or another platform.

[00:04:42] [SPEAKER_00]: Five, make your resume more timeless. You don't want to hide your experience,

[00:04:47] [SPEAKER_00]: but taking the focus away from your age is probably a good idea for your resume.

[00:04:51] [SPEAKER_00]: Here are a few ideas. A, make it short. A three-page resume with every job

[00:04:56] [SPEAKER_00]: from the last 30 to 40 years is not necessarily the way to put your best foot forward.

[00:05:01] [SPEAKER_00]: Career experts recommend shortening your resume, only including relevant and recent work and experiences.

[00:05:07] [SPEAKER_00]: B, eliminate graduation dates. Eliminate those graduation dates from schooling.

[00:05:13] [SPEAKER_00]: They're not important. C, update your email address.

[00:05:17] [SPEAKER_00]: Many of us got our personal email addresses 30 years ago and are still using them today.

[00:05:22] [SPEAKER_00]: However, that address could be making you look old and unprofessional.

[00:05:25] [SPEAKER_00]: Try to have an address that displays your first and last name

[00:05:27] [SPEAKER_00]: and use a current domain like gmail.com. D, use your cell, not landline. Sure,

[00:05:34] [SPEAKER_00]: connectivity can still be a problem in places, but most 20, 30, and 40-somethings only have

[00:05:39] [SPEAKER_00]: a cell phone. Having a landline might highlight your age.

[00:05:42] [SPEAKER_00]: And E, include your social media info. Definitely give your LinkedIn URL.

[00:05:48] [SPEAKER_00]: Hiring managers use this platform more than any other,

[00:05:50] [SPEAKER_00]: and they often want to see who you know and get a more complete picture of you online.

[00:05:54] [SPEAKER_00]: If you are active professionally on other social media platforms,

[00:05:58] [SPEAKER_00]: then include those too. Don't include if you primarily post for friends or family or a hobby

[00:06:02] [SPEAKER_00]: unrelated to your career objectives. 6. Give yourself a careful makeover.

[00:06:09] [SPEAKER_00]: Before heading off to an interview, consider carefully your hair, shoes, and clothes.

[00:06:13] [SPEAKER_00]: You want to be timeless, not dated. As most of us wear casual clothes at work these days,

[00:06:18] [SPEAKER_00]: your interview suit is likely woefully out of date and could hurt your chances at the job.

[00:06:23] [SPEAKER_00]: 7. Use online job search services. If you're looking for a more traditional career,

[00:06:29] [SPEAKER_00]: here are numerous online resources that can help seniors find jobs.

[00:06:33] [SPEAKER_00]: A. Workforce 50. Workforce50.com has jobs and information to help navigate your job search

[00:06:39] [SPEAKER_00]: or a search for a new direction. Search jobs by location or with one of our favorite employers.

[00:06:45] [SPEAKER_00]: B. Retired brains. Find work from home, part-time, seasonal, and online retirement

[00:06:51] [SPEAKER_00]: jobs as well as resources for starting your own business and more.

[00:06:55] [SPEAKER_00]: C. Retirementjobs.com The goal of Retirementjobs.com is to identify

[00:07:00] [SPEAKER_00]: companies most suited to older workers and match them with active, productive, conscientious,

[00:07:05] [SPEAKER_00]: mature adults seeking a job or project that matches their lifestyle.

[00:07:09] [SPEAKER_00]: And D. Flexjobs.com Flexjobs is the leading job search site specializing

[00:07:14] [SPEAKER_00]: in the best remote, part-time, freelance, and flexible jobs available.

[00:07:19] [SPEAKER_00]: Find a better way to work today.

[00:07:21] [SPEAKER_00]: 8. Get creative As you near retirement, you may find that you can

[00:07:25] [SPEAKER_00]: be more creative and flexible about your work. Could you benefit from passive income?

[00:07:31] [SPEAKER_00]: Passive income streams can be the perfect income for retirement.

[00:07:34] [SPEAKER_00]: Could you work from home? As you near retirement, you may want more and more

[00:07:38] [SPEAKER_00]: flexibility. Working from home can give you just that.

[00:07:41] [SPEAKER_00]: Can you work just part-time? Part-time work is another great flexible option.

[00:07:46] [SPEAKER_00]: Or could you earn money online? The internet has not only revolutionized

[00:07:50] [SPEAKER_00]: how people access information and buy products online, but also how people can make money and

[00:07:55] [SPEAKER_00]: create their own side incomes. 9. Assess your reason for work

[00:08:01] [SPEAKER_00]: Retirement is your time. It's important that you think carefully about how you want to spend

[00:08:05] [SPEAKER_00]: these golden years. Work has so many benefits beyond a salary, but that salary can be important

[00:08:10] [SPEAKER_00]: for many of us. Make sure that you have a good understanding of your retirement finances.

[00:08:18] [SPEAKER_00]: You just listened to the post titled 9 Tips for Finding a Job After 50 or After You Have Retired

[00:08:24] [SPEAKER_00]: by Kathleen Coxwell of NewRetirement.com. This show is sponsored by BetterHelp.

[00:08:30] [SPEAKER_00]: We all have non-negotiables. Maybe you never skip leg day or have to take your morning walks,

[00:08:36] [SPEAKER_00]: but when your schedule is packed with kids' activities, big work projects and more,

[00:08:40] [SPEAKER_00]: it's easy to let your priorities slip. Even when we know what makes us happy,

[00:08:45] [SPEAKER_00]: it's hard to make time for it. Therapy can help you reclaim control of your time and values,

[00:08:50] [SPEAKER_00]: and make no mistake, therapy is for everyone. Whether or not you've been through significant

[00:08:55] [SPEAKER_00]: trauma, therapy can be a great tool for setting boundaries, learning positive coping skills,

[00:09:00] [SPEAKER_00]: and ultimately becoming the best version of yourself. If you're thinking of starting

[00:09:04] [SPEAKER_00]: therapy, give BetterHelp a try. It's entirely online, designed to be convenient, flexible,

[00:09:09] [SPEAKER_00]: and suited to your schedule. Just fill out a brief questionnaire to get matched with a licensed

[00:09:14] [SPEAKER_00]: therapist and switch therapists any time for no additional charge.

[00:09:18] [SPEAKER_00]: Never skip therapy day with BetterHelp. Visit betterhelp.com

[00:09:22] [SPEAKER_00]: slash workdaily today to get 10% off your first month. That's BetterHelp, H-E-L-P dot com slash

[00:09:29] [SPEAKER_00]: workdaily. And thank you so much to Kathleen for this great article. She is the head writer

[00:09:35] [SPEAKER_00]: over at New Retirement and New Retirement actually started because their founder's mom

[00:09:39] [SPEAKER_00]: needed help. A while back, Steve's mom came to him asking to borrow money. He wanted to help,

[00:09:45] [SPEAKER_00]: but he wasn't sure that a loan was the right long-term answer. He wanted his mom to be able

[00:09:49] [SPEAKER_00]: to retire without constant worry about her finances. So, Steve tried to get guidance from

[00:09:53] [SPEAKER_00]: a financial advisor, but he discovered that that advice is expensive and his mom didn't

[00:09:58] [SPEAKER_00]: need investment management. She required holistic long-term planning focused on

[00:10:02] [SPEAKER_00]: drawing down her assets and making good decisions around benefits, real estate,

[00:10:06] [SPEAKER_00]: cash flow, insurance and more. And this type of advice is not the specialty of most advisors.

[00:10:12] [SPEAKER_00]: Well, it turns out that Steve's mom didn't need a loan. She needed a long-term financial plan

[00:10:16] [SPEAKER_00]: to make the best use of what she already had, prioritizing what is important to her. So,

[00:10:21] [SPEAKER_00]: Steve built some spreadsheets and financial models and figured out how she could have the

[00:10:25] [SPEAKER_00]: comfortable retirement she wanted. And that is the foundation of New Retirement,

[00:10:28] [SPEAKER_00]: which is a platform that enables anyone to build a plan that is right for them,

[00:10:32] [SPEAKER_00]: their resources, goals, values and priorities. So come by newretirement.com to learn a lot more

[00:10:38] [SPEAKER_00]: and a big thank you to them for letting us share their work. But that's going to do it for today.

[00:10:43] [SPEAKER_00]: I thank you so much for staying with us until the end and I hope to see you right back here

[00:10:46] [SPEAKER_00]: again tomorrow for more OWD. And that is where your optimal life awaits.