January 4, 2024
How can the pursuit of an encore career positively affect one’s personal and professional life?
Often, when someone wants to change careers, it is because their core personal values are not being fulfilled, such as the desire to make a difference or contribute meaningfully. Pursuing a new or different career can spark motivation, inspiration and excitement, which are stimulating and gratifying feelings. It can also create feelings of uncertainty and fear or affect self-confidence, which, if directed positively, is when humans learn and grow. And if someone is successful at landing a new career, they feel accomplished and are now living their values. What could be better?
What role does networking play in finding opportunities for an encore career?
Networking effectively is one of the most important business skills to develop at any age, whether someone is changing careers, advancing in their profession or simply learning and developing.
While online research is an integral element of finding opportunities for a new career, people who work in jobs and industries that interest them are the most reliable and helpful resource for learning and finding opportunities.
Networking also leads to developing new relationships, helping others, and staying current on trends. Personally, I could never have started my business at age 40 without my amazing network.
What are the main challenges someone over fifty could encounter when starting an encore career, and how can they be overcome?
I would say some major challenges are self-doubt, fear of failure and imagining that companies discriminate against “older” people. While ageism is very real, many companies, industries and professionals also appreciate a 50+-year-old person’s experience, wisdom and motivation. Another challenge is expecting the career changer to have the same compensation level. Comparing your past or current career to a new one isn’t always realistic.
This said, it doesn’t mean you will need to find roommates and start eating ramen like you did in college. Planning, being clear about what you need in your work and budgeting are all important steps for deciding on and pursuing a new career.
What advice would you give to someone who is feeling hesitant or fearful about starting an encore career after 50?
Assemble an informal advisory board of champions and supporters, hire a career coach (of course!, interview plenty of people who are doing what you would like to do workwise, write out a simple, actionable plan and schedule small steps on your calendar and develop and use a mantra that you use when you are feeling hesitant or fearful.
READ MORE… read this section and the full article on MoneyGeek.com.