Example Career Changes after 50

Reinventing your career; it’s not easy but it’s never too late. That’s the message from people who made life-altering career changes in their 40s, 50s, 60s or even older.

Some second acts aren’t by choice, some have described being forced into midlife career changes after losing their jobs and failing to find similar work because of the economy, their age, a disability or discrimination.  Some people start a second or third career because they can’t afford to stop working after retirement. Some discover they’re happier working, even if they can afford to retire.

See six examples of later-in-life changes here.

Returned Missionary Career Steps

Home from a mission begins a new and exciting chapter in life. The next steps might include finding employment or seeking further education and make this a dynamic time of career exploration. While there may be a feeling of uncertainty, know that your experiences and your missionary service have prepared you for the decisions ahead. 

As you start on your path to building a career, consider the following tips.

• Keep Your Momentum
• Develop a Career Plan
• Plan for Education and Finances
• Communicate the Skills Gained from Your Mission
• Use Additional Resources
• Move Forward with Trust in the Lord

If these topics sound interesting, see the full article here.

Job offer? Ask yourself 5 questions

If your carefully crafted Resume, job searching and a few interviews have finally landed you a job offer, what now?  No longer is it necessary for job seekers to jump at the first opportunity that comes along; if you’re talented, experienced and personable enough, there will be more where that came from.

But for candidates, simply realizing they have a certain amount of agency and leverage in the job hunt is only the first step. After all, having a measure of power is one thing, but making a power play is another. If in the course of your search you land on a job that, on the surface, appears to suit your interests, it’s important to ask some difficult questions of the position, the company, and yourself before saying yes.

See five key issues to consider here.

Turn around Workplace boredom

Time is a resource with high monetary value, and any boredom is a symptom of wasting time you should be putting to good use. Take advantage of the situation and do something you wouldn't ordinarily be able to do. 

Start a new initiative, develop your professional skillset, or reorganize your current strategies; you'll make yourself more valuable and ultimately, you'll position yourself for a respectable salary increase at your next formal review.

The next time you find yourself bored at work, try the ideas here.

Five Meaningful Soft Skills

While your experience and education may land you an interview, you need to be prepared for an additional assessment on how well you would fit into the company culture.

Many assume that a solid education is what employers deem most important when determining the right candidate, but this is not always the case. Soft skills, the traits that measure a person's emotional intelligence, are a good indicator of job performance. Soft skills, aren't necessarily learned at school. They include the following:

1. Communication 
2. Time Management 
3. Team Player 
4. Motivation 
5. Flexibility 

For more detail on these skills, see the complete article here.

Career Change Planning

There are many reasons that people face career change. Sometimes career change can comes as the result of a long anticipated layoff while other times it can occur suddenly without warning. But don’t think you’re alone. Know that career change (not job change) happens to everyone sooner or later. The average job-seeker will change careers several times over the course of a lifetime. Whatever the reason, the key to having a successful career change is having a good plan.

See several steps you should follow in order to have successful career change here.

Upgrade Your Skills

Is your career up for the challenges of a tough job market and the rapid pace of technology? Experts agree that ongoing professional development should be part of your career plans no matter what stage you’re at. Keeping your skills current can help you stay competitive and make sure you’ll be an asset to any employer.

Review some practical ways to stay sharp here

Career Change Planning

There are many reasons that people face career change. Sometimes career change can comes as the result of a long anticipated layoff while other times it can occur suddenly without warning. But don’t think you’re alone. Know that career change (not job change) happens to everyone sooner or later. The average job-seeker will change careers several times over the course of a lifetime. Whatever the reason, the key to having a successful career change is having a good plan. 

See several steps you should follow in order to have successful career change here.

Fill in with a Part Time Job

Part time jobs can supplement your current job or be a fill in while unemployed. If unemployed recognize that the benefits you receive are partly reduced by your income. If you may be out of work for some time, your benefits could be stretched for a longer time before expiring.

Part time work may provide you with funds to pay down credit cards., or some other specific financial objective.

For an on-line source of part time jobs visit the site here.

Best Jobs in America

It is in your best interest to actively manage and monitor your career. Whether employed, looking for work or a new career, being aware of the jobs market place is prudent. 

The job market’s getting stronger, to find America's Best Jobs this year, analysts reviewed professions that offer great growth opportunities, and that are satisfying as well. Other big factors considered: pay (how strong it is now, and how fast it's growing) and how many jobs are in the field overall. Also included weighed how meaningful or low stress a job is, how difficult it is to enter the field, the likelihood of moving up the ladder and, where possible, the ability to telecommute. 

See the listing of the 100 top ranking jobs in America here.

Finding a Job Can Take So Long

Finding a job often takes much longer than job seekers expect. 

The rule of thumb is to plan for at least one month of job searching for every $10,000 of salary desired. This means that a job seeker who expects to earn $60,000 needs to prepare for a six-month-long job search or more. 

Why does finding a job take so long? See the complete article here.

Moms’ jobs can make a difference …

The Church surveys and research make some projections for the sisters of the Church. Two thirds of all sisters will at one point be the principal breadwinner for their family. This comes about with the husband’s loss of employment, unexpected death or divorce, or a sister remaining single.

There is little opportunity for a mom with the responsibility of a child to move beyond minimum wage work. To make a shift is almost impossible for a family without help. They have to work hard to make the day-to-day.

The biggest motivator for moms is the financial security that a "non-traditional" job can offer. For more details on this topic, see the full article on a Wyoming program here.

Best 100 Colorado Companies for Flexible Jobs

Based on years of researching companies that hire for telecommuting, part-time, flextime, or freelance jobs, FlexJobs has compiled the best list of 100 of companies located in Colorado that specifically have hired for jobs with at least one of these flexible working options. Below you will find the company profiles on Colorado employers such as Catholic Health Initiatives, Imagine!, and Niche Technologies Inc., as well as each company's telecommuting, part-time, freelance, and flexible job posting history, a staff-written description, and the company's headquarters and website.

The purpose of the free Colorado List of Best Companies for Flexible Jobs is to help people in Colorado to easily find and research the legitimate employers embracing workplace flexibility.

If you you're looking for a job in Colorado, click here.  This guide is excellent and free as a resource for jobs!

10 Best-Paying Jobs Of The Future

If you decided on a new career path today, wouldn't you like to know which jobs will be in high demand and pay the most once you were out of school? To serve as a guide, 24/7 Wall St. has identified the best-paying jobs of the future. These jobs will grow the most in the next decade and have median incomes well above the national average. Almost without exception, these occupations will be in highest demand

One change that will create high demands for some professions is the increasing amount of data available to businesses.  For more info, click here

Reasons for Changing Jobs

During the time the economy struggled, it was important just to have a job. As the economy improves, you may consider the opportunity to change jobs. Carefully consider the reasons you come up with to justify a significant decision.

Don’t overreact. Leaving a job to minimize pain should not be the primary reason for accepting another job. Both negative and positive motivators must be considered; as well as extrinsic (short-term) motivators, and intrinsic (long-term).

See an interesting diagram in the full article to assist your decision making here.

Strategies for a Career Change

People are becoming more apt to take action to become upwardly mobile. According to the Wall Street Journal, nearly 40 percent of all people seeking new jobs are also trying to change careers.

Think through the process or method you will use to accomplish your goals; accept that there is a level of risk involved. Younger workers have an easier time changing career, but if you have been in a profession for several decades, it may be difficult to match your current salary with an entry-level position.

The article outlines three key elements of the process:

• Accept the Risk
• Avoid the Traps
• New Career Choices

For more on these topics, see the complete article here.