Are You Too Old To Change Jobs?

Feeling old? You’re only as old as you think you are. There’s no magic number that makes a person officially “old.” And that means you’re never too old to change jobs.

As the baby boomer generation creeps toward retirement, more and more people are reaching a point where they are too young to retire, but want to cut back on work or find a fun cool job. Unfortunately, a large number of the people in this age group have a legitimate fear – they are too old to change jobs.

Searching for a job when you feel “old” is certainly challenging, but it’s far from impossible. Age should never be an issue and employers are not allowed to discriminate against an older job seeker based on age. In the eyes of an employer, every job seeker is created equal. Employers just want to find the best person for the job, regardless of age.

How To Find A Job When You’re Over 50

Every job seeker goes through the same job search process  – applications, resumes, cover letters, interviews, etc. This gives everyone an equal shot at getting hired. The best decision for an employer is to make sure that they hire the best candidate because this is how they will be the most successful. For a job seeker, they need to make sure they stand out against the competition.

Now this is honestly where an older job candidate has a leg up. With age comes years of valuable experience. During your professional career, you’ve had the opportunity to build skills, network, and gain experience that a new grad will not have. This is a big selling point on why you, as an older job seeker, are the right person for the job. As long as you are qualified, you can bring a lot to the table.

It’s important to remember that the job market has changed over the years. Instead of wondering if you’re too old to change jobs, here are some ways to help you stand out from the competition:

• Learn to be tech savvy
• Highlight your skills and experience
• Create a web presence
• Address the obvious age issue
• Be willing to learn new skills
• Show that you are adaptable
• Embrace the modern job search
• Build the skills you need to do the job

There is a lot of job search competition out there. As long as you apply for jobs that you are qualified for and apply the above pointers, you’ll be in a good position for a successful job search. Don’t let age hold you back from changing jobs. Instead use your age, wisdom, and experience to help you find the job you’ve always wanted.

If you need more pointers on how to successfully find a job, the JobMonkey blog provides FREE job advice anytime of the day.