Over 50 And Changing Careers? You’d Better Have a Plan

Like it or not, if you’re over 50 and changing careers, you’re going to face some challenges that younger workers aren’t accustomed to. There’s an unspoken bias out there against older workers – at least in many companies - and unless you plan ahead and are prepared to meet that bias head on, you could be in for a long and frustrating job search.

For many employers, “older” workers mean trouble. The perception is that workers over 50 will have more health problems, will miss more work days, will be more forgetful and make more mistakes on the job, and will cost more to insure. There’s also the belief that an employer will have to pay an older worker more, and that they’ll get less for their investment when the worker retires or moves on.

And perhaps the worst bias that older job seekers have to face is the idea that they’re “dinosaurs,” or some kind of museum relic that’s out of touch with the needs of modern business. And what’s surprising is that many of the employers who feel this way are over 50 themselves!

Now an employer isn’t going to come out and tell you that you’re too old for the job – that kind of discrimination is illegal, after all. You’re more likely to hear something like “Your overqualified for the position,” or “We’re looking for an entry-level worker to fill this post.” Read More