Aging: Finding a Job After Middle Age

Finding a job or changing careers at any age can be frustrating and uncomfortable. But when you add on the obstacle of being of an advanced age, it can be downright frightening and humiliating.

Modern Western culture likes to pride itself on being unbiased, open-minded, inclusive, and not discriminatory to any group, including older adults. In fact, there are even laws in place protecting against age discrimination. But if you are of an advanced age and are looking for a job, you may feel that the laws are arbitrary and that age discrimination is alive and well in modern society.

Practical Tips for Finding a Job in Older Age

So how do you maneuver around the obstacles of an aging physical body, discrimination against older people, and younger competition when you’re looking for a job?

Muster confidence

It’s been said that there’s nothing more confident than a high school senior. They are young, hopeful, and confident in their abilities (and unknowingly and blissfully ignorant of their limitations). And to a certain extent, that could be said about a senior citizen, too.

As you age, you gain life experience and common sense, and that gives you a certain degree of confidence. Unfortunately, aging also brings broken bodies, wrinkles, and gray hair, which can be limiting and bring about insecurities.

If you’re in the market for a new job at an advanced age, you have probably felt this odd contradiction of confidence in your mental abilities and insecurity regarding your physical capabilities or maybe even your appearance.

The saying that youth is wasted on the young may resonate with you like never before. You may be longing for your once-youthful body and appearance, and that beautiful, naïve enthusiasm of your younger years. But what you may lack in those areas can be compensated for through your life experiences, your wisdom, and the realization of your limitations, which is often a challenge for younger people.

You can moderate some of your insecurities by recognizing your own worth. Your worth as a child of God has nothing to do with your resume or how many words you can type per minute. God created you for a purpose, and His plan for you is perfect. Seek Him and rest in the fact that the creator of the universe sees your struggles and will intervene on your behalf.

Put your best foot forward

When finding a job, your resume provides the first impression a prospective employer has of you. Having a trusted friend who is experienced in reading resumes can help you update your work experience and make a big difference in the effectiveness of your resume. Tailor your resume to the specific position you are seeking.

Don’t forget to list volunteer work and other skills you may not think of in your initial draft. If you are having difficulty finding someone to help you with your resume, consider contacting a local community college, or go back to your roots and contact your alumni association if you have graduated from a university or college.

You may not realize that sometimes the appearance and style of your resume are just as important as the content. Consider using a clickable PDF format for your resume. This type of document can be created in Canva and other similar programs for free. If you don’t know how to manage this technology, consider enlisting the help of someone who has this skill, or research it yourself on YouTube.

Be sure to use a modern font or consider creating a CV (curriculum vitae) instead of a resume if it’s appropriate for your desired career path.

Be realistic

Be realistic in your expectations. If you have no experience in a particular field, you can’t expect to walk away with a six-figure paycheck. Internships are often believed to be for college students or young adults, but there’s no rule saying that you can’t take on an internship later in life.

Internships are a good way to acclimate yourself to a new career, gain experience, and maybe even more importantly, make connections with people within the industry.

If you are experienced in your desired field, you might find one potential downfall. If your resume reflects an extensive history in your desired field, potential employers may be concerned that you will be dissatisfied with a lower wage or salary. If you can keep your income expectations realistic and communicate this expectation to a potential employer, this limitation may instead be used to your advantage.

Network

Leverage your connections. One of the advantages you have as an older job seeker is the connections you have made throughout your life. Your life experience has exposed you to a variety of people in a variety of industries. Ask your well-connected friends for leads and recommendations for new positions or to introduce you to people in your desired field.

Choose your references wisely. Get permission from your prospective references before adding their contact information to your resume, CV, or application. Choose a non-family member with a personal connection to you. Bonus if they have worked with you in the past with a positive outcome.

Leverage life experience

Don’t underestimate the power of your life experiences. Those moments of disappointment, days of grief and mourning, the late nights with sick children, and the worry of making your mortgage payment may have been stressful at the moment, but they also gave you resilience, the ability to think on your feet, and a real-world advantage over your younger counterparts.

Your prospective employers may value your ability to think on your feet and consider your life experiences as an advantage over younger and less experienced applicants. Many prospective employers may want to have someone cool under pressure, wise, brimming with common sense, and full of practical knowledge over someone with a youthful appearance and enthusiasm.

Embrace continuous learning

The job market is constantly evolving, and staying relevant means being open to learning new skills and mastering new technologies. Whether you’re re-entering the workforce or making a career shift, investing time in yourself and your education can not only boost your confidence (despite your insecurities about aging) but can also make you a more competitive job candidate.

Consider taking online courses, attending workshops, or earning certifications in your desired field. Websites like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and your local community college programs offer flexible and affordable options to enhance your knowledge. If technology feels overwhelming, start small and learn basic computer skills, familiarize yourself with industry-specific software, and practice using video conferencing tools.

Lifelong learning not only improves your employability but also keeps your mind sharp and engaged. Employers appreciate candidates who show a willingness to adapt and grow, regardless of age.

Seek therapy

If you are feeling overwhelmed and discouraged or just need a little help finding a job, consider talking with a professional therapist. A professional mental health specialist can help calm your anxiety, give you tools for managing your emotions, and give you practical advice about how to make a good impression on potential employers.

A therapist can also help you build a positive mindset despite the practically inevitable rejections. Rejection is a natural part of the job search, but it can be discouraging. A therapist can help you build resilience and help you to reframe your rejections as a learning experience rather than a personal failure.

Keep the faith

Remember that your worth is not tied up in finding a job or in your career. God, who is omnipotent and holy, finds you worthy no matter whether you’re unemployed or a CEO of a major corporation. Trust the Lord to open the doors that you’re meant to walk through and close tightly the ones you aren’t. Once you surrender your job search to the Lord, peace will overcome you, and you will notice the right path opening before you.

Next Steps

For more information or to speak with a Christian therapist about finding a job in middle age, contact our office today.