Employment for the over 50s is nearly as much a hot potato as housing for younger Australians. Many baby boomers feel pushed aside and this adds to the invisibility factor I talked about a couple of weeks ago.
It isn’t nice to feel undervalued or unappreciated. Many of us need to work for financial reasons, others need to work for social connection and a sense of self-worth. All those are extremely valid drivers. But for a lot of over 50s it seems increasingly difficult to find good work or any work at all.
Why is this?
It seems to me that it is too easy to blame this on the arrogance of youth or their inability to come to terms with managing team members who may have more experience than they have. Sadly (and I know this will be controversial) I think that like many things in life, the issue may rest within ourselves. Are we stepping up and learning new skills? Are we refreshing our attitudes? Do we tolerate that younger manager or mutter behind their back that they are wet behind the ears and know nothing, rather than acknowledging that they have a different and perhaps complementary skill set to ours? Are we just too set in our ways to see that there might be a new and better way to do something? Are we up to date with the technological tools that are now available?
Let me give you an example of older folks who I felt needed to step aside. Late last year we attended a business awards presentation night. The businesses there represented a range of activities from cafes to beauty salons, driving schools etc. The business and tourism body running the event was mostly comprised of old men. I use that term advisedly based not on their age (they all had grey hair but then so do I); my judgement of them was based on their attitudes. As each of them stepped up to introduce a new group of shortlisted nominees they almost without exception talked about the importance of store front businesses and that it was so important to fend off those nasty (my word) online businesses. Of course, as the owner of this online business I was appalled. I understand that high street businesses are important to the survival of many regional towns but it was the narrowness of attitude that really bothered me. It struck me so clearly that these men should consider stepping aside and leaving the business and tourism body to some new blood who could embrace the new whilst continuing to nurture existing businesses.
Again, this isn’t an attack on ageing but rather on attitudes. We all need to keep up to date and the proof is definitely in the pudding. I recently read a piece by Scott Pape – The Barefoot Investor – about Apple hiring older workers in Australia. This is a smart decision by Apple who have realised that there is a huge market in older Australians who want to buy and exploit the latest technologies. It goes without saying that the folks being hired have kept up to date and are happy to work in a largely youth focussed culture like Apple. Good for them and I would love to see more of that.
In the same article there was a reference to a job agency which specialises in matching older workers with jobs. What a wonderful concept and well worth a look if you are seeking employment.
Let’s continue to grab as many opportunities we can to live a vibrant life and if that includes paid employment; my wish is for you to find the job of your dreams. But do remember to keep current, whether in your working life or any other aspect of your life, it is critical to your success and happiness.
Are you still working? What do you do to keep yourself up to date? Have you ever worked for a younger boss?
Estelle | 05th June 2017 at 11:49 pm
Currently we are travelling Australia. While we are not working, many over 50s are interested in working as they travel. Some say there is plenty of work, but generally hands on type jobs. These people are open to try new experiences, to do something different. But whatever people do, everyone needs to keep as up to date as possible with the ever changing new technological tools. .
jess | 29th April 2017 at 11:00 am
I’m only in my 30’s but my husband and I often talk about wanting to stay up to date with technology, not like our grandparents who don’t even use email. Tech moves so fast these days, that I am often feeling behind when compared to children and teens!
Deborah | 28th April 2017 at 1:47 pm
I’m 49 and struggled to find work after my seachange because of a lack of options in my new small hometown. I don’t think age was an issue but I also live in an older community.
I think young people and older people all have something to offer in the workplace and agree it’s about skills and attitude. (Not age, sex etc)
Jan at Retiring Not Shy! | 28th April 2017 at 7:30 pm
There is no doubt that location impacts employment opportunities, from my experience smaller locations work more on word of mouth connection than do big cities.
You are absolutely correct that all ages have something to contribute if they choose to do so.
Lyndall Guinery-Smith | 27th April 2017 at 9:33 pm
It’s a matter of attitude too. My hubby is in his early 60’s and still very much working. He has so much knowledge and experience the younger ones can never match. After having my own business and selling it several years ago, I struggled to find work for a while. Nobody wanted to employ me because I’d been my own boss. So, I just started another business! #TeamLovinLife
Jan at Retiring Not Shy! | 28th April 2017 at 8:43 am
I agree Lyndall it is absolutely about attitude, in fact I would argue that if you have your attitude right there is a good chance everything else will follow. No guarantees but it’s a good starting point.
Min Write of the Middle | 27th April 2017 at 4:53 pm
I left mainstream employment in my late 40’s but never had any trouble finding work then. It’s important to keep your skills up, particularly when it comes to technology etc. Having said that though, I do know people who are over 50 that are having a terrible time trying to find employment. I think that we can learn from the younger folk and they can learn from us. The workplace is a better place having a good range of ages across the board I think! #TeamLovinLife
Jan at Retiring Not Shy! | 27th April 2017 at 5:04 pm
I absolutely agree with everything you say. I found it interesting that there is at least one employment agency focusing on older folks.
Leanne@crestingthehill | 27th April 2017 at 3:55 pm
I’m 55 and I’ve never had a moment’s trouble finding work – it’s a matter of keeping your skills up to date, knowing what you bring to the table, and not trying to compete in areas where those gorgeous young things would walk all over you. I’ve seen older people who work slow, think slow and make mistakes but still think they’re 30 – they need to step down or change direction because they give the rest of us a bad name. Leanne | cresting the hill
Jan at Retiring Not Shy! | 27th April 2017 at 5:03 pm
Sadly I have to agree with you, the arrogance really does nobody any good. And yes we need to stay up to date and know our worth.
jotracey | 27th April 2017 at 8:47 am
Hubby took an early retirement from his job of 37 years last November. After some time spent moving, he’s now trying to get another job. It’s tough. There’s a perception about change resistance that sadly some older workers are very guilty of. #teamlovinlife
Jan at Retiring Not Shy! | 27th April 2017 at 8:51 am
Yes it is really horrible that the resistance of some taints everyone. I hope your hubby soon finds the perfect job.
HandbagMafia | 27th April 2017 at 8:12 am
Where I work, we have some fabulous older team members. And some not-so-fab. From what i have observed (and just my view of course) the fab ones are those who have never stopped learning and are not resistant to changes. The less fab believe they have learned all they can and seem reluctant to learn more or change their practices.
Jan at Retiring Not Shy! | 27th April 2017 at 8:18 am
Yes, that’s just the issue I was touching on. The sheer arrogance of ‘but that’s the way I have always done it’ is indefensible. I’m pretty sure your perception is spot on ☺
Ingrid | 24th April 2017 at 10:26 pm
Towards the end of the year the organisation I work for is restructuring and I will either need to take a redundancy or go full time. Much as I’d love the redundancy at the back of my mind i am also aware that my age will work against me in finding another job. It’s so hard to know what decision to make!
Jan at Retiring Not Shy! | 25th April 2017 at 7:08 am
Dealing with an impending redundancy is always really difficult. Are you at least being offered outplacement services? If so it is sometimes an excellent opportunity. Good luck with your decision making.
Kirsty @ My Home Truths | 24th April 2017 at 8:20 pm
I think you make many valid points here Jan. In my previous life, as a manager in the public service, there were definite cultural tensions between younger and older staff. With experience and the passing of time, you do tend to become more jaded and set in your ways, but there were employees who were able to overcome this tendency and took on new thinking and contributed to new ideas. If only there were more out there like this!
Jan at Retiring Not Shy! | 25th April 2017 at 7:10 am
Thanks Kirsty. Yes it is way too easy to get set in one’s ways and yet when we step up to new ideas it can be so invigorating. It is such a waste of resource otherwise.
Denyse Whelan | 24th April 2017 at 6:53 pm
Interesting post! I have become somewhat jaded about “12 year olds” who are in charge of courses or activities or deem themselves experts. Obviously they are not 12 but very young and there are places for youth but there are places for experience too. Off my soapbox. One thing that I have found patronising is “oooh, you have a blog…wow”. Oh my goodness, not only a blog, I am on all the social media sites that mean something to me to stay connected. I actually started my own course for seniors when we lived in Sydney and I wrote it and called it “Tech Savvy Seniors”. I got 5 attendees. I charged very little and it seemed to go well. I did not repeat because who came along and did it for free a month or so later (calling it the same name as mine) but the Govt. I couldn’t be bothered even challenging it. Thank you for linking up today for #lifethisweek 17/52. Next week: Taking Stock.
Jan at Retiring Not Shy! | 25th April 2017 at 7:13 am
Yes Denyse I totally get what you mean about the patronising attitudes when the young think they are the only ones who are up to date. However some of my age group perpetuate that illusion through their own resistance to change.
NormalNess | 24th April 2017 at 12:12 pm
I was at a training course once and having quite an in-depth discussion with someone about who would look better applying for a job: the young, tech savvy me, or the experienced them. Both of us saw the advantages in each others position! It really can come down to the company culture and what exactly the hiring manager is looking for. Sadly I don’t think many people who recruit are actually skilled at recruitment so it’s hard to tell until you’re in a job!
Jan at Retiring Not Shy! | 25th April 2017 at 7:14 am
I think you are right. Sadly too everyone in workplaces today seem to be under so much pressure that time for connection is just not there.
sydneyshopgirl | 24th April 2017 at 8:31 pm
Good points, Ness.