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© Alternative Futures Press, 2003
Over Forty and Looking for Work
demand. The fewer number of positions available and the more
people chasing after them, the longer it will take. Try to accept it,
make some adjustments to your lifestyle, and concentrate all of
your attention on the process and your targets.
Look out for road blocks.
In addition to navigating the emotional ups and downs of an
extended job search, be aware of some common road blocks
which complicate the process for older workers. Age discrimina-
tion is a scourge in our society, along with all of the other forms of
discrimination. Try to avoid buying into it and believing the nega-
tive myths about age promoted by our image conscious consumer
culture. Look at it from a different perspective. Remember that
youth is inexperience, while age is experience and wisdom! You
have something really valuable to offer any employer, i.e., what
you have learned during all of those years of work. Also shift your
game plan to focus on those positions which celebrate and
respect experience. They do exist! Teaching and counseling are
just two examples. And, perhaps most importantly, keep an open
mind. You may find that your next career opportunity may be in a
role you could never have predicted just a few short years ago.
Watch your beliefs.
Our beliefs can also help or hinder the job search process. One
commonly held belief which can paralyze older workers is that if
they leave their field for another, or even leave their old company
for another, they will have to start all over again at the bottom
Finding Your Work
Summary :
One commonly held belief which can paralyze older workers is that if they leave their field for another, or even leave their old company for another, they will have to start all over again at the bottom Finding Your Work
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