Job or Career After 50

If you're at least 50 years old chances are you've had a few jobs over the course of your lifetime. As for me, I'm going on job #11 (not including my own business start-up). The overwhelming number of those jobs were supposed to lead to advancement on my career track. A few did, while others simply moved me into another tax bracket.

So here I am, closer to retirement, working in a JOB that has moved me totally out of my comfort zone and into a world that I have been totally unfamiliar with: time clocks, micro-management, and younger bosses. My ego-driven personality would find this job unbearable but the "thankful for the opportunity" side of me is prepared to suck it up for the greater good.

So what is a job?

A job is something you do simply to earn money.

A job has minimal impact on your future work life.

A job offers few networking opportunities.

A job can stunt your growth mentally and physically.

The good news is you can turn a job into a new career after 50.

Although I was hired for a specific job, I have set my sights on another position inside the company. My plan is to use the skills I've developed over the years and make them marketable for that department. Not only do I see my my skills as an advantage, but I also see my age AND race as bonuses based on the hiring practices of this particular company.

The truth of the matter is, over our lifetime we've acquired many useful skills, whether it was in a previous career or through other life experiences. You'd be surprised to see how skills can transfer across occupations.

Although you may be hired for one position (like I was), you can use your experience to move into a position that will showcase your talents. Many older workers are led to believe that age works against them when, in essence, it can be your trump card. Age is only a factor if you make it one by being a know-it-all, difficult to communicate with and someone who thrives on telling everyone else how to do their jobs.

You can shine in a new career after 50.