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Inspiring Opportunities Free E-Newsletter |
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Work
Staying informed and prepared in matters of work is always important, but never so much as in today’s uncertain economic climate. From questions surrounding retirement to thoughts of a second career, guidance and tools are only a click away.
Nonprofit Training to Utilize Boomer Know-HowWith financial support from;The Philadelphia Foundation, Coming of Age held a two- day workshop (the Learning Lab) to encourage nonprofits in the Greater Philadelphia area to make use of stipended "Encore" Volunteer Managers (over age 50) in their organizations. Of the 32 organizations that participated, an overwhelming majority indicated they were interested in having an EVM join their team. The program will start in April. To learn more about this training session and our Learning Lab curriculum, click here.
3 Jobs You Didn't Know You Could Do in Retirement!Do you think that working while you are retired means being stuck doing a boring, low-level job? If so, it’s time to update your thinking. Nancy Collamer, career coach and author, has found a growing number of unconventional, fun options for part-time work, that can enliven your retirement and pay pretty well, too. Here are three to consider: Voiceover Professional (in which actors record the audio tracks used in everything from training videos to audio books to TV commercials); Life Cycle Celebrant (someone who helps people commemorate important life transitions;weddings, divorces, adoptions, etc.); and Senior Move Manager (people who assist clients needing to downsize and relocate.) To learn more, click here.
Lessons Learned About WorkAnn Brenoff, a senior writer for the Huffington Post and a Pulitzer Prize winner reflects on what she has learned about working (since her part-time job at 14) and how that knowledge can be helpful in the encore years. Among lessons learned are you that you need to realize that "nothing lasts forever" (that goes for good and bad), you should "go boldly into that dark night" (we miss a lot of opportunities out of fear of change...show some spunk!), and "what you do for a living is just part of who you are" (and you are way more than the sum of your parts). For more of her well-earned wisdom, click here.
Mistakes to Avoid When Considering Nonprofit WorkAre you ready to leave your corporate career behind to find work at a nonprofit? That is a laudable goal...but you need to take the time to learn about the unique needs, culture, and expectations of the nonprofit sector before you send out your resume. If you skip doing your homework, you might run into unexpected roadblocks that will stop you from realizing your dream of beginning an "encore career" that combines passion, social purpose, and pay. Keep reading to learn how to approach this new challenge and join the more than 9 million people (ages 44 to 70) who have taken this step successfully.
Making Your Age a Plus in a Job SearchAs some 50-plus job hunters are sadly discovering, age discrimination is alive and well among hiring managers. But, there are ways to overcome the perception that age trumps ability...and persistence, resilience, and resourcefulness are central to making it happen. The best way to combat age bias is to make sure that interviewers have no doubt that you've got the drive, enthusiasm, and focus of a younger employee and the skills that come from experience. Read this Next Avenue article to learn seven things to say in an interview that will play up your strengths and get you the job.
Boomers' Job Gain...An Election Changer?The September unemployment figures for boomers - the country's single largest voting group - are the most encouraging in more than three years. For workers 55 to 64-year-old, the figure is 5.7%, the lowest since December 2008. Companies looking for experienced workers see boomers as a savings in training dollars and workers with seniority. Yet, when an older worker loses a job, it takes longer to find a new one. But, that time has also decreased: the present 33.4-week average was 43 weeks a year ago. With boomers making up 37% of voters, the jobs uptick may have impact on this election.
Test-Driving RetirementWhile boomers are pretty sure that they don't want their parents' version of retirement, many of us are not ready for what lies ahead. This article points out the need to understand your finances and your emotional needs before leaving the workplace. A free online tool from T. Rowe Price called "Practice Retirement" can help you figure out how much longer you need to work to be financially secure and recommends a gradual transition to retirement. Equally important, is the emotional transition that retirement brings. Pre-retirement is a good time to begin considering next steps...jobs, travel, time with friends...and taking the time, as Coming of Age believes, to "Explore Your Future."
Tips for Women Looking for Nonprofit JobsThe author, a personal finance writer, has seen a rise in the number of women in their 50s and 60s thinking about, and making the switch, from a corporate job to one in a nonprofit. Why it is happening for many in that age may be the realization that there is more to life than making money or, perhaps, the question of what to leave as a legacy. For those gravitating to the nonprofit world, issues of job flexibility (flex time, job-sharing), more opportunities for women (less men apply), and a more collaborative workplace (plus altruism) may be key. These 9 tips and resources are a great starting point. Check out encore.org to learn more about Encore Careers.
"Work Reimagined" by AARP
And speaking of jobs...AARP has joined forces with LinkedIn to launch Work Reimagined, a social media site targeted at older adults who want to find jobs. A June report by Pew Research Center found that 50% of people ages 50 to 64 use social networking sites. This site adds value by building the user's online social media presence and providing a community where people share information and find job opportunities offered by 120 employers(all have agreed to treat all applicants equally, regardless of their age). You can connect to Work Reimagined through LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook or at WorkReimagined.AARP.org.
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