Career change at almost 50!

madrabeag

Hi All, I am currently looking for a career change- I have been in my present role in healthcare for the past 6 years. I am currently undertaking the ECDL course in the hope that I can get some office/reception work. There isn't any work experience included in the course and I was just wondering how hard it will be to get work experience as I know I haven't got a hope of getting a job without out any experience. I have never done office work before which is a major disadvantage. Any advice on looking for work experience and how hard it is to change career at my age?
Thanks.

Henry Ford III

It's become much more accepted these times. 50 is young. I say go for it!

MouseTail

Volunteer, even for a couple of hours a week, reception, office work, updating databases etc for a charity or community group, look at volunteer.ie.

I think with that and if you can sell the transversal skills you have from healthcare you have every chance of building a new career, good luck with it.

duffman13

Something in banking might be an option. Do one or two qfa exams, specifically loans and regs and you'll get work pretty quickly I'd say. Get your computer skills up to speed first though

madrabeag

Thanks for the replies-have two interviews lined up for Hotel Receptionist. Surprised at being called for interview as I don't have any experience but we'll see what happens.

tringle

Fingers crossed for you. I am in the exact same situation and start a new (low pay) job next Monday after 20 years doing one thing.

madrabeag

madrabeag wrote: »

Thanks for the replies-have two interviews lined up for Hotel Receptionist. Surprised at being called for interview as I don't have any experience but we'll see what happens.

Changing career is a great idea, maybe don't go into the interviews with the attitude that you were surprised at being called for interviews it might not come across so well.

madrabeag

tringle wrote: »

Fingers crossed for you. I am in the exact same situation and start a new (low pay) job next Monday after 20 years doing one thing.

Thanks tringle - yes if I get either of these jobs I will be taking a pay cut but I don't mind too much it will be a new experience hopefully! good luck with your new job

Ursus Horribilis

Although you don't have any history of working in an office, you have a wealth of other experience you're bringing to the table. If you think about what you've had to do in your past jobs, it'll most likely involve skills you'd need in an office environment. For example, being able to deal with all sorts of people, meeting deadlines, working in a team etc. And to employers, a 50 year old who has gone to the trouble of doing the ECDL and changing career could be a better bet than a raw 22 year old. You know what holding down a job is like and you're unlikely to be taking off to Australia after a few months. I agree with the person who said you shouldn't walk in there acting surprised that they wanted to interview you at all. They wouldn't have called you if they didn't think you had something to offer.

As long as they've got somebody lined up to show you the ropes if you get the job, I can't see why you should have any great problems working in any office. And as a word of encouragement, I've a neighbour who worked in a shop for years. Then when she was in her late 40s she did a course like what you've done and she ended up working in the local credit union.

tringle

madrabeag wrote: »

Thanks tringle - yes if I get either of these jobs I will be taking a pay cut but I don't mind too much it will be a new experience hopefully! good luck with your new job

I did feel under pressure to be very well groomed for it. No stray eyebrows, no grey root, no gardening hands and nails..
Things a 20 something wouldn't have to think about.

madrabeag

Well I did the two interviews one was over two weeks ago and the other one was almost two weeks ago-haven't heard anything back from either of them so I suppose I can presume I won't be getting either job. Thanks for the replies, the words of encouragement and advice I appreciate them all. I will keep trying and intend doing more courses and look for work experience which hopefully will help!

tracey turnblad

You should apply for the civil service there will probably be a competition coming up this summer or the temporary civil service jobs, this will give you experience. If your unemployed at the moment have a look at Fas courses. I did one called office administration it’s nearly a year long but you do 10 weeks work experience and there’s lots of modules in it. I got a job from it in an office having worked in retail for 20 years

madrabeag

tracey turnblad wrote: »

You should apply for the civil service there will probably be a competition coming up this summer or the temporary civil service jobs, this will give you experience. If your unemployed at the moment have a look at Fas courses. I did one called office administration it’s nearly a year long but you do 10 weeks work experience and there’s lots of modules in it. I got a job from it in an office having worked in retail for 20 years

Thanks for that I was looking at that office admin course it's something like that I am going to do. I will keep an eye out for the civil service jobs thanks

um7y1h83ge06nx

First, fair play.

I'm a manager in my current company (sister development) and would be the hiring manager for any open positions on my teams. Every team need balance in terms of experience and having older more experienced people is great. Not just for their technical experience but their overall life experiences are so important too when dealing with people, handling pressure etc.

So in my eyes you're not too old at all. Best of luck.

Avatar MIA

Chad Petite Puffin wrote: »

I'm a manager in my current company (sister development)

Apologies to the OP, but what is sister development. Phone typo?

I think you'll get your chance OP, lots of companies out there struggling to get the right admin staff. Good luck with the ECDL course.

CeilingFly

Look at what you can bring from previous experience into a new career.

What immediately jumps out at me is your experience is in heathcare - possibly your work there would make you a candidate as health and safety officer in a company that would be alongside your main role.

If your experience is in that area, then you highlight that in your cover letter - its one role many companies find difficult to get volunteers for.

um7y1h83ge06nx

Avatar MIA wrote: »

Apologies to the OP, but what is sister development. Phone typo?

I think you'll get your chance OP, lots of companies out there struggling to get the right admin staff. Good luck with the ECDL course.

Sorry, phone typo! Software development I meant to say.

madrabeag

Chad Petite Puffin wrote: »

First, fair play.

I'm a manager in my current company (sister development) and would be the hiring manager for any open positions on my teams. Every team need balance in terms of experience and having older more experienced people is great. Not just for their technical experience but their overall life experiences are so important too when dealing with people, handling pressure etc.

So in my eyes you're not too old at all. Best of luck.

Thank you

madrabeag

Avatar MIA wrote: »

Apologies to the OP, but what is sister development. Phone typo?

I think you'll get your chance OP, lots of companies out there struggling to get the right admin staff. Good luck with the ECDL course.

Thanks

tringle

Apply for absolutely everything you can, keep trying. I sent off about 16 applications one week, I started a new job last week but also had what I think was a good interview last week too in a job that did seem to value my experience rather than youth.

Crunchymomma

madrabeag wrote: »

Thanks for that I was looking at that office admin course it's something like that I am going to do. I will keep an eye out for the civil service jobs thanks

Clerical officer comp will open in may I think and executive officer in Dublin (unless it starts early)

Avatar MIA

Avatar MIA wrote: »

You'd need to be an employer first of all to employ anyone. Thankfully, when someone has reached 50 years of age I'm sure they'll have enough maturity to ignore your "contribution".

That person is a troll - see their previous posts and don’t engage. I have reported no point in engaging with them.

Mrs OBumble

How many posters here are actually over 50?

Being in that age group, my perspective is that its a lot harder for me to get interviews now.

If there's any way to write your CV so that your age isn't obvious, then do so. Don't lie - but don't include your full work history or when you got your leaving cert.

tringle

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

How many posters here are actually over 50?

Being in that age group, my perspective is that its a lot harder for me to get interviews now.

If there's any way to write your CV so that your age isn't obvious, then do so. Don't lie - but don't include your full work history or when you got your leaving cert.

I agree...if you can. I list all jobs from leaving college and details of my study...I don't say I was a mature student and left college at 35. But now lots of companies have full disclosure competency based forms looking for all dates, details, employers and locations from leaving cert including details of periods of non work. Totally unfair I think and a way of getting around discrimination laws.

Midlands Minnie

Hello, I'm not sure if am in the right thread so apologies if not. I am hitting 50 in July and I work in an extremely high pressured job in the Midlands for seriously low pay and with a manager who sits opposite me who comments on absolutely everything I do. I have been in this position for nearly 2 years after taking redundancy in my last job where I worked for nearly 20 years. I was good at this job and valued to a point where my opinion was asked by directors. I was even told to write my own reference which I didnt but its brilliant. But I am made to feel daily that I am rubbish at this job and my mental health and self confidence is at an all time low. I want to leave but my husband puts bills above all else and wants me to try and stay, but I cant. I want to work in an office with no pressure, believe me when I say I am a fantastic worker, I get on with everybody, do my very best and am not lazy but the stress of working in an office like this is killing me. Life is too short but jobs are near impossible to get here. I dont know what to do and any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Avatar MIA

Midlands Minnie wrote: »

Hello, I'm not sure if am in the right thread so apologies if not. I am hitting 50 in July and I work in an extremely high pressured job in the Midlands for seriously low pay and with a manager who sits opposite me who comments on absolutely everything I do. I have been in this position for nearly 2 years after taking redundancy in my last job where I worked for nearly 20 years. I was good at this job and valued to a point where my opinion was asked by directors. I was even told to write my own reference which I didnt but its brilliant. But I am made to feel daily that I am rubbish at this job and my mental health and self confidence is at an all time low. I want to leave but my husband puts bills above all else and wants me to try and stay, but I cant. I want to work in an office with no pressure, believe me when I say I am a fantastic worker, I get on with everybody, do my very best and am not lazy but the stress of working in an office like this is killing me. Life is too short but jobs are near impossible to get here. I dont know what to do and any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Even in the midlands there must be work for an experienced office worker. It's practically full employment out there and employers are finding it very hard to get good staff. Being 50 shouldn't be a barrier to getting an office admin job.

I'd not mention in an interview you don't want any pressure.

Soulsun

Avatar MIA wrote: »

Even in the midlands there must be work for an experienced office worker. It's practically full employment out there and employers are finding it very hard to get good staff. Being 50 shouldn't be a barrier to getting an office admin job.

I'd not mention in an interview you don't want any pressure.

Absolutely agreed.
Employers trying to hold onto good workers is another issue now

Midlands Minnie

I have been thinking about this for a long time, I love the work but its the manager who is putting so much pressure on me as I mentioned its highly pressured work but I left work on Tuesday for a break and had about 3 hours of work still to do and am dreading tomorrow because I know I will have "emails" from her waiting for me. I have applied to other jobs but am not getting any interviews or even replies. Its heartbreaking.

tringle

Midlands Minnie wrote: »

I have been thinking about this for a long time, I love the work but its the manager who is putting so much pressure on me as I mentioned its highly pressured work but I left work on Tuesday for a break and had about 3 hours of work still to do and am dreading tomorrow because I know I will have "emails" from her waiting for me. I have applied to other jobs but am not getting any interviews or even replies. Its heartbreaking.

Minnie, apply for every job you can find. Register with all the recrutmemt websites and get the daily emails. Have you a LinkedIn account, if so state on it you are actively seeking a position ( if your boss wont see it). Apparently the public service competition will open again in May but lots of single public service positions have recently been advertised. I don't know what type of work you do or what your pay expectations are and to make a change you may have to take a big cut. I agree that employment figures are up but my experience is showing that starting wages are down.
Some will say you should talk to your boss or their boss but I know in a small company that isn't always an option and being miserable at work is so draining and is wearing on your health.
Best of luck.

Midlands Minnie

i work in an office dealing with builders equipment and believe me I couldn't take lower pay cut without it being near minimum wage. I have emailed all the local employment agencies but dont seem to get any offers, the last one couldn't have sounded less interested if she tried. Really poor call and got all my details wrong over the phone, she sounded bored and totally uninterested in what she was doing. I can only keep trying and see what happens. I feel better for venting and getting it out there so thanks for replies. I'm just afraid that I will lose it completely and tell her to stuff her job

AndrewJRenko

Midlands Minnie wrote: »

the last one couldn't have sounded less interested if she tried. Really poor call and got all my details wrong over the phone, she sounded bored and totally uninterested in what she was doing.

Get onto the manager or owner and let them know how much better a job you could do for them!

corcaigh1

tringle wrote: »

I agree...if you can. I list all jobs from leaving college and details of my study...I don't say I was a mature student and left college at 35. But now lots of companies have full disclosure competency based forms looking for all dates, details, employers and locations from leaving cert including details of periods of non work. Totally unfair I think and a way of getting around discrimination laws.

Hi "tringle". Can i ask how you have found your job hunt after leaving college with a degree at 35, do you find employers are slow to take on older graduates?

Mrs OBumble

Avatar MIA wrote: »

. Being 50 shouldn't be a barrier to getting an office admin job.

Shouldn't be, but is.

Midlands Minnie

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Shouldn't be, but is.

It very much is l'm afraid. I am finding it impossible to get any interviews and l have vast experience with excellent references.

AndrewJRenko

Midlands Minnie wrote: »

It very much is l'm afraid. I am finding it impossible to get any interviews and l have vast experience with excellent references.

At risk of generalising, public sector employers are often less ageist than private sector, though I appreciate that those opportunities may be limited in your area

JennyZ

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

At risk of generalising, public sector employers are often less ageist than private sector, though I appreciate that those opportunities may be limited in your area

I agree with this completely. I'm a slight bit younger but found myself in a very similar position. Public Sector are far less ageist. I secured a permanent PS position which I am happy with. I think it's the absolute right of any private sector company to employ or choose to interview who they see as a fit and especially where there is a younger culture they may think a younger person would be a better fit. It's unfortunate though and especially in the area of work that you are searching for OP there are less opportunities for older workers. Keep at it though, and take a broad picture of organisations in your area you think might be a fit for your skills and keep an eye out for opportunities, especially those that may have a mid/older profile, look at any temp opportunities also. I wouldn't focus on agencies too much.

Midlands Minnie

Thanks Jenny, I applied for a PS library assistant position 2 weeks ago and am hoping to get even an interview from that as I have experience with the book trade. Fingers crossed.

AndrewJRenko

JennyZ wrote: »

I think it's the absolute right of any private sector company to employ or choose to interview who they see as a fit and especially where there is a younger culture they may think a younger person would be a better fit.

It is explicitly against the law for businesses to discriminate when recruiting on grounds of age, gender, sexual orientation, disability or several other grounds. It can be difficult to prove discrimination, but that doesn't make it legal.

Smarter businesses are starting to see the value of diversity. They've worked out that businesses full of hip, cool, white, middle-class 20-somethings tend to build products and services that work for hip cool, white, middle-class20-somethings. This tends to be not a great business model, unless perhaps you're running a niteclub/eatery in the 'batter.

Businesses with diverse teams build products and services that reach wider audiences, which is generally considered to be a good way for a business to make money. Here's what Bank of Ireland are doing to bake diversity into their HR practices;

https://careers.bankofireland.com/bank-of-ireland-inclusion-diversity-parents-and-carers?_lrsc=5ef62c69-2ff1-43d2-b36c-9cd608d4cc9f&utm_source=elevate&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=LinkedIn

https://careers.bankofireland.com/bank-of-ireland-inclusion-diversity-multicultural?_lrsc=88f9b179-a9af-453d-b2a1-0b26b7b6d5cd&utm_source=elevate&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=LinkedIn

https://careers.bankofireland.com/bank-of-ireland-inclusion-diversity-accessibility?_lrsc=93fdf314-9bbf-4613-8a92-0857b6a33109&utm_source=elevate&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=LinkedIn
https://careers.bankofireland.com/bank-of-ireland-inclusion-diversity-with-pride?_lrsc=4cd45425-b2d4-4f32-b2ab-0bbd995d0c7f&utm_source=elevate&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=LinkedIn

Avatar MIA

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Shouldn't be, but is.

From my discussions with employers (mostly female) what they don't want is a female late 20s early 30s if they can avoid it. You've guessed the reason why. BTW, don't anyone shoot the messenger.

tringle

corcaigh1 wrote: »

Hi "tringle". Can i ask how you have found your job hunt after leaving college with a degree at 35, do you find employers are slow to take on older graduates?

At the time I was studying in an area that I was working in, in fact it was a subsidised course and you had to be working in that sector to do it. So I had that job anyway.
But I've since left it (short contract hours and I need a PAYE job) and yes did see the look of surprise at one interview when I walked in and they where expecting someone younger.

tringle

Midlands Minnie wrote: »

Thanks Jenny, I applied for a PS library assistant position 2 weeks ago and am hoping to get even an interview from that as I have experience with the book trade. Fingers crossed.

Best of luck with it. I'm now in a 6 month summer job but it is a long and expensive drive. I have an interview next week for Public Service temp contract.

asuna_cpl

Go for it! It's never too late.

madrabeag

Thanks to everyone for their comments and words of encouragement. I have applied for loads of Receptionist/Clerical positions and the majority of them have not even acknowledged my application let alone even mention interview. I am fully convinced it's my age even though I don't have my date of birth or the date of my Leaving Cert on my C.V. but as someone else pointed out a lot of the application forms want a detailed employment history since you left school and of course they are going to know how old I am from that. As I mentioned in a previous comment I did get called for two interviews one of them contacted me after to say I wasn't successful but to date I have had no contact from the other one. Best of luck to you "Midlands Minnie" with your library job I hope you get it.

Avatar MIA

madrabeag wrote: »

Thanks to everyone for their comments and words of encouragement. I have applied for loads of Receptionist/Clerical positions and the majority of them have not even acknowledged my application let alone even mention interview. I am fully convinced it's my age even though I don't have my date of birth or the date of my Leaving Cert on my C.V. but as someone else pointed out a lot of the application forms want a detailed employment history since you left school and of course they are going to know how old I am from that. As I mentioned in a previous comment I did get called for two interviews one of them contacted me after to say I wasn't successful but to date I have had no contact from the other one. Best of luck to you "Midlands Minnie" with your library job I hope you get it.

Well done on the interviews - it really is a numbers game. At least 4 people were called for that job, and you were not lucky those two times. Keep the chin up

madrabeag

Midlands Minnie wrote: »

Thanks Jenny, I applied for a PS library assistant position 2 weeks ago and am hoping to get even an interview from that as I have experience with the book trade. Fingers crossed.

Hi Midlands Minnie, just wondering if you had any luck with the library job?

Midlands Minnie

madrabeag wrote: »

Hi Midlands Minnie, just wondering if you had any luck with the library job?

I'm afraid not. In total l have applied for 7 jobs and not one reply. Its heartbreaking as a couple l would have loved. I need to get out of this job l am in now, my manager has reported me to HR because l am not fast enough and making a few mistakes. Which is bull.

beauf

Midlands Minnie wrote: »

I'm afraid not. In total l have applied for 7 jobs and not one reply. Its heartbreaking as a couple l would have loved. ....

7 is a tiny number of applications. If you apply for 20-30 and get no reply then I change something. Until then this is normal.

Midlands Minnie

beauf wrote: »

7 is a tiny number of applications. If you apply for 20-30 and get no reply then I change something. Until then this is normal.

That's all that is available in the Midlands. But l get your point, I'll keep applying and will update if l get any acknowledgements.

beauf

You should try everyone you know, family and friends aswell. Not just job applications.

madrabeag

Midlands Minnie wrote: »

I'm afraid not. In total l have applied for 7 jobs and not one reply. Its heartbreaking as a couple l would have loved. I need to get out of this job l am in now, my manager has reported me to HR because l am not fast enough and making a few mistakes. Which is bull.

Yeah I know the feeling it's very disheartening. My biggest problem is not having the required experience. Hopefully something will turn up.

tringle

madrabeag wrote: »

Yeah I know the feeling it's very disheartening. My biggest problem is not having the required experience. Hopefully something will turn up.

I applied for about 20 and am in one now, turned one down and will be changing to a better one soon. Surprisingly the Ines I didn't even get an acknowledgment from let alone an interview were all lower skilled jobs. I was getting desperate an applied for everything.