Are you a mature worker who paused your job hunt because it was becoming too frustrating? Individuals over the age of 50 often find that age discrimination forces them out of the workforce before they’re ready, and finding a new job can be almost impossible.

Fortunately, things have changed in recent years, and now may be time to get back on the proverbial horse. Worker shortages have been reported in several locations, including some European Union countries, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

More opportunities are opening up for workers, and in many cases, employers are more willing to consider mature people than they were in the past. Your skill set and experience could now be in high demand. However, the world has changed, and you may not be able to go back to your old role, making this the perfect time to shift careers.

Why Now is A Good Time to Make A Career Shift

There are lots of job openings, and this is one of the reasons why now is a good time to pivot.

However, mature workers often have a unique set of preferences. Maybe you want to work from home most of the time, or you need a flexible schedule that allows you to care for an elderly parent. Maybe you want mental health days or the time to take care of medical issues.

Whatever the case, you’re likely to be in a position to ask for what you want, given the current circumstances. Wages are also likely to be higher, and you may be able to get a decent signing bonus as companies seek to fill vacancies. While income is important, you should still think about the nature of the job and whether the organizational culture is a good fit.

Another piece of good news is that employers are more likely to invest in on-the-job training. This will allow you to gain new skills while you work, and it means you can enter an industry that you’ve perhaps never been involved in. Tech companies, for example, are flourishing in many countries, and employers are willing to develop new employees.

How to Go About Making a Change

The first step is to be clear on what you want from your new career. Are you looking for a job with the potential for advancement, or are you more concerned with feeling fulfilled? Do you want your career to be more aligned with your belief system and core values? Ideally, you should do some soul-searching before you start looking for a job.

You also need to consider your salary requirements as well as what you’d prefer in terms of vacation, family leave, medical insurance. and other benefits. In addition, you should think about whether you’d like flexibility in when and/or where you work.

Assess Your Skills

You also need to think about the skills you have which are transferable from one job to another. Maybe you worked in the hospitality sector, but you have the communication or customer service skills to work in an administrative position anywhere. If you’re creative or good at project management, leadership, or analysis, you’ll be able to fit in in a range of industries.

Update Your CV

Once you’ve analyzed your skills, make sure your resume and your LinkedIn profile are current. In addition to the obvious degrees and other high-level qualifications, you may have completed courses or done volunteer work that could be relevant in today’s market.

You may also discover that you have marketable skills that you previously overlooked. You’ll be better able to respond to available opportunities if you have a modern, updated resume at hand. And if your LinkedIn profile is optimized, you may even have employers or recruiters reaching out to you.

Consider Working With a Staffing Agency

It’s also important to note that you don’t need to transition to a new career on your own, especially if you’ve been out of the job market for a long time. A staffing agency can point you to where you should be looking for work and if you need to do any additional training to make yourself more marketable. Professional recruiters can help you to achieve the goals you’ve set for yourself.

Draw on Your Network

You may find it useful to talk to friends, relatives, and professional contacts about your plans. They could have a unique perspective on your skills and abilities and where you could be a good fit. By talking to people at different levels and in different industries, you’ll be able to get a better appreciation of the possibilities. Some of your connections may even know about specific job opportunities.

The Bottomline

Changing careers in mid-life can be challenging. However, the state of the current job market has opened the door for mature workers to pivot. By following the tips above, you can use the persistent talent shortage to your advantage. See how WiseForce Advisors can help with your career path info@wiseforceadvisors.com.