Many people are working well beyond the traditional retirement age, partly out of necessity and partly because they still want to contribute and are not ready to retire.

Whether you’ve been laid off, you’re retired and looking for something to do, or need a little supplemental income, here are some tips on how to find a job when you are older.

Evaluate

Almost half of boomers have saved less than $10,000 for retirement. So, the financial necessity to stay employed is a real one, and believe it or not, working past retirement is a great opportunity. No matter where you find yourself, it is best to start by gauging your financial situation.

How long can you sustain your current lifestyle? How much do you need going forward? The reality is that you will probably not be hired at the rich salary you had been making. You may want to rethink your retirement age and also consider when to collect social security.

This may be just the impetus you need to consider the kind of work you want to do at this stage in life. Maybe moving to a whole new field will give you more personal satisfaction. Remember Robert De Niro in the movie The Intern. Losing your job may well be finding your life.

Choose Your Path

Self-Employed

If you prefer to stay in the field you know, then you may consider consulting. If you know the industry well, you may identify products or services that solve key issues in that industry.

You will need some lag time to get up and running, so make sure you consider how long you can last without a paycheck and benefits. You may also take a part-time job while building your business on the side.

Something important you will need is a business plan. SCORE, a national non-profit organization affiliated with US Small Business Administration, advises small businesses on these issues. You may have a similar agency in your country.

Consider starting a blog or podcast. It’s a great way to test the waters and get a feel for what people want. These become important marketing tools for your business and lead to business creation. It can also help if you seek employment.

College classes on entrepreneurship are also a good option.

Taking a Job

If you choose to become employed, think about finding jobs at smaller organizations, including nonprofits, start-ups, small trade associations and niche educational programs. Typically, these employers operate with spare staff and depend on the experience and expertise that come with age.

A career coach can help you if you want to change your field of work. And you must have a complete LinkedIn page as this is the new resume.

Half of all jobs come through a network. You may be out of practice after years of security on the job, so now you need to find groups where you can interact. For example, my Rotary service not only fulfills a need to give back but also puts me in contact with other business professionals.

You might also consider volunteering for a board position. All of these things set you up for success.

Combat Ageism

Unfortunately, ageism is a fact of life in society. If you are a job seeker over 60, what can you do to combat it? Make ageism work in your favor.

Some employers believe older people only want to work for a short time, compared with younger people. When researchers look at that question, it is actually the opposite.

Older workers tend to be more loyal and stick around longer than the younger worker. The younger worker is moving around to acquire new skills. We see that with the Millennials.

Another obstacle is the perception that older workers are less productive and energetic. But we know that they are as productive as any other age group. The variations are between workers, not age groups. To counteract that stereotype, an older worker who is physically fit can exude a get-up-and-go attitude.

Some employers also believe older job applicants expect high salaries or are overqualified. Most people over 60 are happy and willing to go back to a position they had a few years ago, if it gets them back doing work they’re qualified to do and want to do. But again, you have to set your expectations.

A lack of technology savvy is also a misperception. That is why engaging on social media, having a blog, and tweeting is important. Consider this post from a LinkedIn colleague:

“I hired a person over 60. Should not be a big deal, but it was. People said: ‘He will never work hard enough,’ ‘He will not fit into our culture,’ ‘He will be taking a lot of sick days,’ ‘He is overqualified,’ etc.

Nobody said he was too old. They were all ‘politically correct.’ He was one of the best hires I ever made. We all learned from him. He made a huge difference for the company.”

Fact or Fiction About Job Seeking

Here are some helpful tips and some misconceptions to keep in mind if you are actively, or soon will be, looking for a job.

Fact: It Is Impactful to Network with Human Resource Managers

One of the many roles human resources serves is to fill open job requisitions. Often, there are numerous requisitions in the pipeline, and the No. 1 priority is to fill these jobs. Requesting to network with people in human resources is in your best interest.

Fiction: You Will Land and Interview for Each Job to Which You Apply

If you’ve purposely submitted a vague or general résumé with the hope that a recruiter will call for more details, think again. Most of the time, you will not receive a call.

Recruiters, human resources staff, and the hiring manager only call you if you are a good match for the job. If your application and résumé don’t show how you are a perfect match for the job, the recruiter has very little interest in speaking with you.

Fiction: The Best Time to Network Is After the Job Has Been Posted

If you are interested in finding a job after 50, it’s never too early to start networking. Imagine… you see the perfect job posted and believe you’re a match. With great excitement, you reach out to someone inside the company only to be ignored. You’re doing the right thing, so why isn’t it working?

The reason: you’re too late to the party. That job has probably been circulating inside the company for weeks. The person you are contacting may even be in the running for the job.

The best time to network is in advance of job opportunities being posted. In fact, networking after a job has been posted really isn’t networking – it’s tracking down a job. That’s not bad – in fact, it’s recommended – but it’s not truly networking.

Fact: The Best Time to Look for a Job After 50 Is When You Already Have One

Now, who would put themselves through this arduous task when they already are working? Looking for work is a full-time job itself!

The smart person, in this case, is always assessing the market, researching opportunities and if applicable, taking interviews. This process will keep you current, fresh, in the market, and aware of the trending that occurs within your chosen industry or the one you may seek to enter.

Besides, when we look for a position while having one, we are relaxed and not fearful, knowing that worse-case, we still have our present position. This allows for a real and perhaps more confident interview process with us more in control, sans the desperation and timing issues that accompany a jobless search process.

Fact: Your Résumé Is a Very Important Job Search Tool

Your résumé is at a minimum your calling card and your public face. Along with your cover letter and LinkedIn profile, your résumé tells your story to a stranger who is considering another stranger (you) for a position in their company.

A powerful, compelling, unique, and honest résumé will tell the tale and serve its singular purpose: to get you that interview.

Fiction: You Should Expect to Hear a Response Soon After You Apply

After you have taken time to strategically apply for a desired position, you assume that you’ll soon hear something. The reality is that you may never hear back from the company. In fact, this is more the norm than not.

Plan to follow up with someone in human resources after you have submitted your application. Ask what the time frame is for filling the job, and then ask if your application was received.

Always end every conversation by asking when you should follow up next and with whom. Don’t be bashful or hesitant. However, don’t wait by the phone, mailbox, or inbox. Finding work is a numbers game. Play that game well and make the numbers work for you.

Fiction: Finding a Job After 50 Only Requires You to Apply to Positions Online

You may believe that if you apply to enough jobs, you’ll eventually beat the odds and land one. While applying to jobs may make you feel productive, most jobs are either filled internally or through referrals.

When you spend all your time and energy scoping out jobs and applying, you’re hurting your chances of landing a position.

The formula is to cast a wide net searching through networking, looking online, using recruiters, attending professional association meetings, volunteering, and meeting new people every day.

Remember, more than 70 percent of people land jobs through networking, and 93% of chief marketing officers (CMOs) report that they award work based upon chemistry alone.

Fact: Your References Will Be Contacted Early in the Interview Process

Every company has a different policy regarding references. Seldom will your references get checked while résumés are being reviewed or early in the interview process.

It costs time and money to verify references, and if there are multiple candidates applying and interviewing, this can be a costly investment. That said, references will be contacted once you have been identified as a viable candidate and an offer is made.

Be prepared with a minimum of three professional and two personal references. Only a few may be checked but your confidence in providing these names will be the final determinant in an employer’s hiring process and you ending up with the position you desire.

Fact: Your Cover Letter Is a Powerful Tool

You can’t assure that someone will read your cover letter. In reality, some people will never read a cover letter, and others won’t look at your résumé until after reading your cover letter.

The bottom line is that you should always include a customized cover letter that explains specifically why you are interested in and qualified for the job and shares something about the company to show that you are a great fit.

If you don’t take the time to do this, then why should the company take time to review your qualifications for the job?

Most applications now require this alongside your résumé. It’s your chance to tell your story using more text and fewer truncated bullet points to do so. Make it compelling and well-written. Remember, the goal of a cover letter is to get hiring managers to learn more about you on their way to inviting you in for an interview.

Utilize These Resources

Workforce50.com: For job seekers 50 and over; formerly called Senior Job Bank.

Retired Brains: For older boomers, seniors, and retirees.

Seniors4Hire: Nationwide online career center.

RetireeWorkforce.com: For retirees and mature workers.

We’ve listed others on our web site.

How about you? Have you been downsized but still desire employment? What is your story? Did you retire and pursue a passion into a business? Please share with the community.

End-of-year sales are often even better than events like Black Friday/Cyber Monday. This is when brands need to unload all the goodies from throughout the year to make room for 2021’s newest products. This is the perfect time to pick up items you’ve had your eye on, especially from holiday collections—at a major discount. The M.A.C. sale at Nordstrom is one you’ll want to check out, especially if you loved the sparkly holiday collection as much as we did.

One of the best things about M.A.C.’s holiday line is that it’s really not holiday-focused. There are eyeliner, highlighter, lipstick and eyeshadow shades that will look amazing all-year-round, but especially through the winter months. Pick up affordable kits at up to 40 percent off, which gives you multiple products for less than $30. M.A.C. makeup is rarely that well priced.

Still, if you’re not in the mood for festive packaging, Nordstrom is also discounting every day M.A.C. favorites, including select matte lipstick shades, lip pencils and more for 40 percent off. You can’t go wrong with these. So, whether you’re picking up a last-minute gift or treating yourself (you deserve it!), shop some of our favorites, below.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

M.A.C.

MAC Fireworked Wow Factor Eye Kit

Get In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash Mascara in 3D Black, two Extra Dimension Eyeshadows and Technakohl Liner in Graphblack all for less than $30.

M.A.C.

MAC Frosted Firework Grand Spectacle Eyeshadow Palette

This limited-editon palette includes 25 shades in regular and Dazzleshadow formulas.

Nordstrom.

MAC Frosted Firework Extra Dimension Foil Eyeshadow

Or pick up three gorgeous eyeshadow shades with a foil finish.

Nordstrom.

MAC Frosted Firework Lipstick

Choose from two limited-edition shades with this pink festive packaging—at 40 percent off!

M.A.C.

MAC Flashing Ice Extra Dimension Skinfinish

This chic palette includes three firework-embossed Extra Dimension Skinfinish highlighters in light or medium-deep shades.

JoJo Fletcher’s Green Floral Print Dress With Tayshia

The Bachelorette Season 16 Episode 12 Fashion

While former star and temporary host of the show JoJo Fletcher stepped in to give Tayshia some advice on last night’s episode of The Bachelorette, we’re stepping in right now to advise you to scoop up her green floral print dress while you still can. Especially if like us, you can totally picture yourselves living together happily ever after.

Fashionably,

Faryn

Click Here to Shop Her Reformation Dress on eBay

Click Here For Additional Colours

Originally posted at: JoJo Fletcher’s Green Floral Print Dress

End-of-year sales are often even better than events like Black Friday/Cyber Monday. This is when brands need to unload all the goodies from throughout the year to make room for 2021’s newest products. This is the perfect time to pick up items you’ve had your eye on, especially from holiday collections—at a major discount. The M.A.C. sale at Nordstrom is one you’ll want to check out, especially if you loved the sparkly holiday collection as much as we did.

One of the best things about M.A.C.’s holiday line is that it’s really not holiday-focused. There are eyeliner, highlighter, lipstick and eyeshadow shades that will look amazing all-year-round, but especially through the winter months. Pick up affordable kits at up to 40 percent off, which gives you multiple products for less than $30. M.A.C. makeup is rarely that well priced.

Still, if you’re not in the mood for festive packaging, Nordstrom is also discounting every day M.A.C. favorites, including select matte lipstick shades, lip pencils and more for 40 percent off. You can’t go wrong with these. So, whether you’re picking up a last-minute gift or treating yourself (you deserve it!), shop some of our favorites, below.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

M.A.C.

MAC Fireworked Wow Factor Eye Kit

Get In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash Mascara in 3D Black, two Extra Dimension Eyeshadows and Technakohl Liner in Graphblack all for less than $30.

M.A.C.

MAC Frosted Firework Grand Spectacle Eyeshadow Palette

This limited-editon palette includes 25 shades in regular and Dazzleshadow formulas.

Nordstrom.

MAC Frosted Firework Extra Dimension Foil Eyeshadow

Or pick up three gorgeous eyeshadow shades with a foil finish.

Nordstrom.

MAC Frosted Firework Lipstick

Choose from two limited-edition shades with this pink festive packaging—at 40 percent off!

M.A.C.

MAC Flashing Ice Extra Dimension Skinfinish

This chic palette includes three firework-embossed Extra Dimension Skinfinish highlighters in light or medium-deep shades.

What are you thinking about this holiday season? For many of us, the holidays can feel dark, lonely and stressful – especially these days, and moreover, if we are over 50 and going through divorce.

Instead of looking forward to the beautiful decorations, smell of baking pies, and holiday songs on the radio, we may feel triggered by sadness.

Moving on after a decades-long marriage ends does not mean that we cannot enjoy the holidays. In fact, we can even make them better than ever before when we remember the following:

Manage Expectations and Remain Optimistic

For years, we have been inundated with people telling us how the holidays should be. It could be from watching impossibly staged meals on cooking shows. It might be from pictures we see in the media of the perfect holidays, or from family members who say “but we’ve always done it this way.”

We have been taught to do whatever everybody else wants to do. Often, we have never learned to imagine how we want the holidays to be for ourselves.

So, it’s no wonder why we feel lonely or stressed when we are spending the holidays alone!

These unrealistic expectations of perfect holidays and families getting along have conditioned us to feel as if we are not up to those standards. We feel that we are wrong, and that we’re not celebrating the holidays ‘the right way.’

You have worked too hard over the years and deserve more than to get sucked into the idea that you’re doing the holidays wrong. This year, it is time to envision what the best holiday season means for you, regardless of where you are in your life.

If you are alone, you are still worthy of celebrating the season any way you like. A change in family circumstance does not mean you are sentenced to feel bad. It just means that you are now given an opportunity to decide how you want the holidays to be, regardless of what anyone else thinks.

Your Selective Memory After Divorce May Be Your Worst Enemy

When we are alone, we tend to think about the times when the family was together, when the marriage was strong and when the holidays were ‘perfect.’ We’re all guilty of remembering our past holidays, when we were still married, as perfect.

It’s easy to fall into this trap when we are heartbroken. But what we forget are all the things that weren’t great during the holidays when we were married. When we shut those not-perfect memories of family holidays out, we are subconsciously setting ourselves up for failure.

We are holding our current holiday mood up to an impossible ideal of selective memories that may not be correct. We do this when we are feeling down, trying to imagine a happier time.

This way of thinking does not serve you because you are holding yourself to an ideal that is impossible to attain. Making yourself feel guilty or resentful or longing for the past will not serve you this holiday season. The only way to start loving the holidays again is to reclaim them for yourself… now.

How to Actually Embrace the Season Instead of Dreading It

During the holidays, especially the times when you were with your partner or raising a family, you were probably too caught up in trying to please others. You were almost certainly trying to make things so perfect that you never took the time for yourself.

Overlooking Your Own Needs Stops Now

This holiday, especially if you are spending it by yourself and are worried about being lonely, gives you a unique gift. This season, you get to do something for yourself that you may have never had the opportunity to do before. You get to choose the season for yourself.

The first steps to learning to love the holidays again begin here. Celebrating you in this chapter of your life, starts by answering the following questions:

• What do I really want to do?
• What will give me joy this holiday season?
• What steps will I take to get there?

The answers do not have to be complicated, and you are not required to spend a lot of money on them.

Now Is Your Chance to Reclaim the Holidays

Shaking off your loneliness and reclaiming the holidays is all about taking care of yourself for a change.

This is the year that you can say ‘no’ to the things from holidays past that you have not enjoyed and that bring you stress. These can even include too much traveling, seeing toxic family members, spending too much money.

It is also the year where you can pick the traditions that you love and throw out the rest. This is the year that you can define what a joyous season means to you and choose to celebrate how you want to celebrate.

Learning to love the holidays again, even if you are recovering from divorce and over 50, starts with kicking those unrealistic expectations to the curb and ignoring the selective memory that plays tricks on you.

These new few weeks can be the season when you finally recognize that you deserve holiday joy and happiness, and you have the power to define that on your own terms. Will you accept that gift?

Are you experiencing the first Christmas after a divorce? If you are divorced and spending the holidays alone, what are your plans? Please share with the community!