Marketing yourself after 50. Ten things you need to know

If you are over 50 and were one of the people that fell victim to downsizing, early retirement or involuntary layoffs, use these guidelines to rediscover your potential.

The fact is: you are 50. And 50 is the new 30! You are on the brink of an entirely new and exciting life stage. Call it a second career or call it a second chance. Follow these simple guidelines, launch that second career and take advantage of the opportunities waiting for you.

Update your Resume and Get Online
Update (or create) your resume. Even if it’s been 10+ or 20+ years since you’ve even had a resume, get it done. If you feel capable and can do it yourself, go ahead and do it. There are online resources and templates that can guide you. Most charge a fee, so be careful if you’re going to spend your money. Use free templates first. Find one that suits your needs. Google “resume templates, free” to get started.

If you’re looking for a job in your locality, Google job sites in your area. You’ll be amazed at the number of sites available. Looking to relocate? Search job sites in other localities. If it’s part-time work you want, check out Snag A Job. There’s also Day Job Finder which is an excellent resource for help with searching for just about any type of job.

Network, Network, Network
Maintain contact with former colleagues. Let them know you are in the job market. Tell them exactly what type of work you are looking for. They won’t know if you’ve been in finance all your life and now you want to explore opportunities in health care or non-profits. Tell them. Be specific.

Network – in person and online. Search out networking opportunities in your area. There are breakfasts, seminars and business association meetings. Find people who share your interests. Get to know them. Make sure they know you and why you are attending these functions. Online, set up an account on Linked In. It’s free (there’s an option to upgrade for a fee) and it keeps you connected with everyone you’ve ever worked with. Also try Facebook and Twitter.

Organization is Key

Organize your finances. There are several online sources that can help. Visit Mint or Money Center Yodlee and review the sites to see which one best fits your needs. It may take a couple of hours to enter in your information, but it is easy to track everything.

Determine the type of work you are looking for. Are you looking to get back into the same old grind you just left? Did you absolutely love the work you did? There is no better time than now to explore options.

Decide what fits into your plan – full-time or part-time? Work from home or consulting? Making these types of decisions is critical, because it helps you focus.

Stick to a schedule. Maintain a daily schedule immediately. Write it out and front-load it, so all of the important things are done first each day.

Discuss your plans with your spouse or partner. Knowledge is power and including them in the loop is the smart thing to do. Ask their advice, but remember, it’s your next career so you need to be at peace with your decisions.

Even if you've been away from job searching for a couple of decades, take the next step. View this as an open window and not a closed door. Use these steps as a guide to getting started. Get your resume completed, network with as many people as you can, use available (and free) online resources, and create a plan and stick to it. Don’t despair because 50 is here and it’s all good.


By Joann Sardo