Breaking Ageism’s Grip: How One Massachusetts Group is Helping 50+ Job Seekers Slay the Stigma
Job seekers over the age of 50 face many challenges when seeking employment, including ageism in the hiring process. However, this age group also brings valuable skills and experience to the table.
Deborah Hope, an executive career coach and founder of the Massachusetts Library Collaborative 50 Plus Job Seekers Networking Group, encourages job seekers to find their passion and embrace this new chapter in their lives. She emphasizes that age is an edge and that individuals over 50 bring wisdom and passion to the workforce.
Founded in 2016 to fight Ageism in the Job Market
The collaborative job seekers networking group was created in 2016 to help people over 50 polish and fine-tune their job search tools. The program started with funding from the Massachusetts Council on Aging and was presented through local Councils on Aging in 17 locations throughout the state. However, during the pandemic, the program grew to include 62 public libraries throughout Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire, which funded the program.
Since 2019, 111 people have successfully landed jobs through the program, with a run rate of about one job every two weeks until 2022, and one job every ten days in 2023. The program emphasizes the importance of understanding and conveying one’s career story, including highlighting skills and accomplishments that can solve an employer’s pain points.
Networking is a crucial aspect of job searching, with about 75% of jobs found through networking rather than simply applying online. LinkedIn is a valuable tool for networking and job searching, and job seekers should embrace technology as a tool for job searching and networking.
Job seekers over 50 are not necessarily looking for full-time employment and may be exploring new career fields or part-time work. It’s essential for them to assess their skills and interests and try different things to find what they enjoy. Practice, practice, practice is key to success in job searching and interviewing, with job seekers encouraged to practice their career story, star achievement stories, and interview answers with friends, family, and even their pets.
Take your time, and “work” through the pain of losing your job
Finally, the job search can be a traumatic experience, and it is important to acknowledge and work through the grief stages before moving on to a job search. Networking and support groups can be helpful in finding new job opportunities and providing emotional support during a job search.
In conclusion, job seekers over 50 bring valuable skills and experience to the workforce, and programs such as the Massachusetts Library Collaborative 50 Plus Job Seekers Networking Group can provide critical support and guidance during the job search process. With the right mindset and tools, individuals over 50 can find fulfilling and meaningful employment in their encore careers.
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Copyright 2023 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson
