How to Start a New Career at 50

Marsha was in her 50s and hoping to make a career pivot. "Have I got chance?" she asked me. I'll tell you what I told her: Ageism in the job market is real. But, if you are prepared, you can overcome the obstacles. It had been years since she'd applied or interviewed for a job. We worked together on her resume, LinkedIn, networking, and interviewing to package her for the job she wanted. When she called to say she'd gotten an offer for a great new job in pharma, with a 30% pay increase, I was jumping up & down!! I want to be clear that this was not easy. It took a lot of focus. Here is the multi-pronged approach we worked on together: 🎯 Resume Strategy: ↳ Focus on impact ("Delivered $2M in savings" vs "25 years of experience") ↳ Go back no more than 15 years  ↳ Highlight current technical skills, leave off old ones ↳ Take the graduation year off all degrees ↳ Contact info should include only city, state (no street address) ↳ Ditch the AOL, and hotmail email addresses; they date you 🌐Networking Strategy: ↳ Reconnect with former colleagues & give them an update ↳ Practice talking about your skills and abilities ↳ Speak to others who've successfully overcome the age barrier ↳ Make sure your LinkedIn profile follows best practices ↳ Work toward 500+ connections ↳ Post and comment on LinkedIn weekly 🏢 Employer Strategy: ↳ Target 40-50 companies with age-diverse cultures ↳ Talk to people in similar roles & ask about key skills ↳ Ask HR/recruiters about their hiring process ↳ Follow each employer on social media to learn priorities 💡 Interview Strategy: ↳ Lead with energy and genuine interest ↳ Show you've done your research with deep preparation ↳ Be ready with stories that include cross-generational work ↳ Share examples of your adaptability and growth mindset ↳ Talk about new skills you've built and show you're on top of trends ↳ Communicate your experience working with diverse people 🤵🏼Personal Strategy: ↳ Take additional courses & certifications to keep your skills fresh ↳ Stay current in your field with podcasts and social media ↳ Make reasonable adjustments to your appearance ↳ Clothes should fit well and be current, but not "trendy" ↳ Avoid language that "dates" you (ask a trusted younger friend) Remember: You're not "overqualified" You have battle-tested wisdom. That, along with these strategies, will set you up as a strong candidate! ♻ Repost to help people who are facing ageism in their job search 🔔 Follow Sarah Baker Andrus for more strategic career insights

Let's talk about the elephant in the room: if you're 50+ and interviewing, you're fighting age bias, whether anyone admits it or not. I've seen brilliant, experienced professionals stumble in interviews because they're using strategies designed for 25-year-olds. That approach doesn't work when you have decades of experience. Here's the reality: age bias exists despite legal protections. The key is reframing your experience as a competitive advantage, not a liability. Your strategic preparation framework: 1. Research your interviewers - Look up their backgrounds and company demographics. Find potential advocates and cultural alignment opportunities. 2. Demonstrate technology fluency - Show current technical competencies and familiarity with modern tools. Don't let them assume you're behind the times. 3. Project energy and enthusiasm - Combat assumptions about engagement levels through forward-looking discussions and genuine excitement about the role. 4. Lead with recent wins - Start conversations with current achievements and capabilities, not a chronological career history that spans decades. 5. Show adaptability - Provide specific examples of successfully adapting to new systems, methodologies, or market conditions. Prove you're not stuck in the past. Position your experience strategically: Your decades of experience aren't just nice-to-have - they're business risk mitigation. You bring relationship assets, seasoned judgment, and capabilities that create immediate value. Your industry knowledge and professional networks are competitive advantages that reduce onboarding time and accelerate contribution timelines. Stop competing with younger candidates on identical terms. Emphasize the unique value propositions that justify your investment level. What strategies have you found most effective for positioning senior-level experience during competitive interview processes? Sign up to my newsletter for more corporate insights and truths here: https://vist.ly/3z9fc #deepalivyas #eliterecruiter #recruiter #recruitment #jobsearch #corporate #seniorprofessionals #interviewstrategy #careerstrategist

🎂 Today is my 51st birthday! 🎂 I love birthdays (especially the more I accumulate) but how do we address ageism in the career search? Ageism in the job market is real, but it doesn’t have to define your career trajectory. As an executive, your experience is an asset—if you position it correctly. Here’s how to combat age bias and stay competitive in today’s market: ✅ Stay Cutting-Edge – Demonstrate that you’re not just experienced but also current. Stay ahead of industry trends, emerging technologies, and market shifts. Invest in continuous learning—whether it’s AI, digital transformation, or the latest in leadership methodologies. 🎓 Enhance Your Education – Consider executive education, certifications, or board governance training. A LinkedIn course, an AI workshop, or a designation like NACD Directorship Certification® signals your commitment to growth. 🤝 Engage Across Generations – Show that you can lead and collaborate with both younger and older professionals. Highlight projects where you’ve successfully integrated diverse perspectives. Reverse mentorship—learning from younger colleagues—can be a powerful differentiator. 🎯 Mentorship Matters – Position yourself as a leader who lifts others up. Coaching emerging talent and guiding teams through transformation showcases your leadership agility. It also expands your influence in your industry. 📢 Network with Intention – Don’t just reconnect with long-time colleagues—expand your circle. Join industry groups, contribute to thought leadership discussions, and engage in digital and in-person networking to remain top of mind for opportunities. 🚀 Own Your Narrative – Age is an advantage when framed correctly. Speak to your ability to drive results, lead change, and develop high-performing teams. Avoid dated language and focus on impact. The most effective way to combat ageism? Show up as a leader who evolves, adapts, and delivers. Your value isn’t in your years—it’s in your insight, agility, and ability to drive success. How are you staying competitive in today’s job market? Let’s discuss in the comments. 👇 #Leadership #ExecutiveCareers #JobSearch #Networking #Mentorship #Careers

Age is just a number—until it’s used against you Age discrimination can feel like a barrier to career advancement, especially in a workplace or job market that may favor youth It's frustrating to think that the wisdom and experience you’ve gained over the years could be seen as a disadvantage But here’s the thing Age doesn’t have to be a weakness With the right approach, you can turn it into your greatest asset Here’s how: - Highlight Experience as a Strength: Your experience is your edge, make sure it's front and center. Emphasize your ability to navigate complex challenges and mentor others in your workplace or during interviews. - Stay Current With Industry Trends: Whether it’s taking online courses, attending webinars, or reading up on the latest tools in your field, showing that you’re engaged with modern trends dispels the myth that age equals obsolescence. - Leverage Your Network: Networking helps you stay visible and can lead to opportunities where your age is seen as a benefit, not a hindrance. Your network can also provide valuable referrals, helping you bypass some of the biases that come with job applications. - Focus on Results: At the end of the day, results speak louder than anything else. Data-driven success stories can shift the focus from your age to your performance, making it clear that your contributions are still highly relevant. - Embrace Lifelong Learning: Demonstrate adaptability by continuously learning and growing. Whether it’s gaining certifications, learning new software, or tackling fresh challenges in your current role, lifelong learning is key to staying competitive. The challenges of age discrimination are real, but they don’t have to define your career Don’t let age hold you back—let’s make it your secret weapon Do you have strategies that have helped you combat age discrimination? P.S. If you’re ready to take control of your career and connect with others facing similar challenges, join my free community of over 200 midlife professionals. Join here: https://lnkd.in/ezZBS98D