Job Hunting at 50+? Here’s Our Tips
If you find retirement dull or boring, you can always return to work. Now don’t write it off just yet! You don’t have to work full-time or even for someone else. There are plenty of opportunities to work for yourself, freelancing or part-time. You can have the flexibility of working but also have the ability to set your hours. It might be nice for some to have some extra in the bank! We’ve got some tips to help you get back into work if you want to and a way to have more flexibility.
Ability, not Age
Age and ableism are still very much a thing and prevalent when it comes to employers. So it’s important that you focus on your ability and what you would bring to the business. Don’t lie or hide your age. But you don’t have to highlight it either. It’s completely down to you. You can also take time to streamline your CV to highlight your best working experience and use older stuff to expand on when you come to the interview portion.
Be open about health concerns
Your health may have been the reason you had to leave your last job. There isn’t a requirement for you to mention it in your CV or in an interview. Unless it would affect your capability to work in the future. It’s ultimately your decision as to how much information you give. Especially if an illness won’t affect your ability to perform your responsibilities. But you need to be truthful about health concerns that could affect you or if you need time off. Keep reasons for leaving previous employment light and positive.
Update your skills
Being an older worker you may face prejudicial questions around digital literacy and skills. For this reason, it can be worthwhile to polish your skills in some areas which are valued by employers and to generally you ahead of the game. You can try and keep up with developments in your field. This can help you stand out from the crowd.
There is the option for you to take voluntary opportunities to help boost your skills. As you can get on-the-job training. There needs to be some form of specification in your CV or application that you’re interested in new challenges and learning new skills.
Ask for flexibility
Sometimes you may find that you don’t have the energy to work full-time or have other responsibilities outside of work. So you shouldn’t feel nervous to ask for flexible work. It’s also great that remote and hybrid working is still very much sought after. A lot of businesses are realising that offering flexible working helps retain workers, regardless of their age.
Improve yourself
Don’t rule out gaining new professional qualifications. This can be a positive, as it demonstrates to employers that you’re willing to adapt and learn new skills and technologies. Or even start a new career. Think about your transferrable skills as well. Try not to undervalue yourself as an older worker. You may have more experience than other candidates. You need to remind yourself of that!
Become an Assessor
This can be a great time in your life to become an Assessor. You may find that retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be! Or you have health concerns which make you want to lessen your work. We actually see it a lot! Especially in labour-inducing industries, like construction or bricklaying. You may be finding it hard to work because of the pressure it places on your body, so becoming an assessor is ideal. You get to stay in your industry, do less physical labour and you can work flexibly. Who wouldn’t want that? It allows you to work at your own pace and take those needed days off.
This is where we come in. We have a lot of older workers come to us because they want to stay in their industry, but injuries or health concerns prevent them from continuing. So they want to become an Assessor to lessen their physical workload and to share their knowledge with the next generation of workers. To become a fully qualified Assessor you need the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA). This allows you to assess learners both in the workplace and the learning environment.
If you have any questions or need more information about becoming an Assessor then our friendly course advisory team is available to answer any questions or queries you may have! You can call us at 01205 805 155 and we would be happy to help.