A long time ago in some happier times, folks were used to spending their entire careers in one company at the same work positions. Unfortunately, in this day and age, this blessed sense of certainty seems all but gone and the contemporary business landscape paints an entirely different and not so comforting picture.
Keeping that in mind, it is perfectly understandable to feel disappointed if you have lost the job around the age of 50 where new opportunities seem rare and retirement is still too far away.
But, we’re here to break some good news. Although you might think the best days are behind you, the options for kick-starting your career at 50 are still plentiful. Let us help you to make the best choice.
Best career options
Driving instructor
By the age of 50, most of us have enough skill behind the wheel to be able to share the knowledge with novice drivers. Also, being a driving instructor is not really physically taxing so age doesn’t factor in as any sort of obstacle. So, there you have it – if you want a cozy but responsible job that uses your driving skills, you only need to do a quick research about legal requirements, apply for a license and you will be good to go.
Pet sitter
In this case, starting out and finding your first batch of customers will probably be the biggest obstacle you will ever face. But, a couple of personal recommendations and clever social media marketing should get the ball rolling. Once you start earning more money, you can turn your start adapting your home into a full-scale daycare center and bring the game to a whole new level.
Gardener
Much like the previous profession, this one requires a passion for the job and a bit of talent for visual design. If you have these pieces in place, consider applying for a landscaping apprenticeship and formal license to get more credibility from the get-go. This career path also requires a bit more investments in tools and necessary equipment but the earnings you can expect are also proportionally higher.
Retail career
Retail is a very diverse industry with the need for all kinds of different profiles, backgrounds, and experience levels. This is the point where your previous work experience will work to your advantage. If you spent years of your career working with some type of product (textile, power tools, etc.) who will be more qualified to sell these products than you? Also, hard work will usually open the doors for management positions.
Arts and crafts
Losing a job at the position you never truly loved and appreciated doesn’t have to be seen as a disadvantage – on the contrary. Now you finally have the time to delve into the arts and crafts you always wanted to tackle but never had time to. So, roll up the sleeves and get to work. You will find plenty of opportunities to sell your products at local markets and retail stores as well as online platforms like Etsy.
Useful tips to get you started
So, now that we’ve seen where you should set your sights, let us go through a couple of general tips that will make your job hunt a far smoother sail:
Be fearful – Changing a career at the age of 50 can be intimidating but it’s important not to let the negative emotions take the best of you. Be ready to make some serious leaps of faith.
Don’t prioritize the money – Securing a stable income flow is important, but use this chance to pay more attention to your health, social life, and personal satisfaction.
Be realistic – Although changing a job at the age of 50 is perfectly feasible you need to be aware that some career options will simply miss you. Gear yourself for these small obstacles and don’t allow them to drag you down.
Embrace the philosophy of lifelong learning – This is the only way you will stay competitive in the labor market.
Be ready to work with younger people – Sure, there will be some wrinkles you will need to iron out but their energy and initiative combined with your skill and experience might just be the winning combination you are looking for.
We hope these few mentions gave you some general direction you should go towards when looking for your next employment or even better – sparked some idea of your own. The most important thing to take away from the article is that your age doesn’t present any obstacle in rebuilding your career from the ground up. As a matter of fact, there are numerous examples where your rich experience provides a distinct advantage. Look for the opportunities like these and you will be just fine.
This guest post was graciously provided by Diana Smith. Diana is a full time mom of two beautiful girls interested in alternative medicine and latest DIY projects. In her free time she enjoys exercising and preparing healthy meals for her family.
