Thinking out loud
Tackling the issues that confront 45+ experienced professionals looking for work or wanting to start a business
Understanding midlife and the importance of a growth mindset
Midlife, as a life stage, now spans more than 30 years. It is a time of life when we navigate some of life’s great challenges. Researchers suggest midlifers need more support to develop resilience but especially a growth mindset to help us live our best lives.
Making a career transition – where to start
Mature workers often start to rethink their life priorities and their interests in mid to late career and as a consequence consider a new career direction.
Addressing common age stereotypes
Ageism is prevalent in recruitment but that does not mean there aren’t ways to challenge ageist perceptions in the recruitment process without being too overt about it.
The surprisingly positive news about getting older
It may surprise younger generations to know that getting older has many advantages.
Understanding the key differences between coaching and mentoring
If you are over 45 and looking to take your career to the next level, you may be considering a coach or mentor. But with so many options out there, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out which one is the right fit for you. Here’s some guidance to help you decide.
Hidden value in upskilling mature-aged employees
World-wide, age diversity rarely figures in organisational diversity programs. As a result, organisations often have limited understanding of how mature-aged workers fare in relation to professional development and upskilling compared to their younger colleagues.
Older women navigating bias and sexism in the workforce
Research suggests that, proportionally, the likelihood of an employed woman being a business owner increases with age. In Australia, more than two in five women business operators are aged 40-54.
Debunking the myths
Myths about mature-age workers contribute to negative stereotypes that limit their opportunities. Constantly debunking these myths in a range of forums is necessary to encourage employers and younger people to think differently about their older colleagues.
The modern career – it’s all about freedom to change direction
The idea of a linear career is being disrupted. The traditional career trajectory is changing as workers, especially those of mature-age seek opportunities to move in new directions.
No turning back the clock on flexibility
New research indicates that it will be all but impossible to turn back the clock on flexible working arrangements. The pandemic has created a preference for a mix of both remote and office-based work. While it will create challenges for employers, it will also open up opportunities to reimagine work.
Mature-aged entrepreneurship – are we overlooking an economic powerhouse?
Compared to many other OECD countries, Australia has fewer older workers in the workforce. Indeed there is often a ‘deficit’ view of our ageing population as a burden rather than recognising the potential of this under utilised talent pool. Mature-aged entrepreneurs, the fast growing segment of entrepreneurship in the country, are a great example of a strength-based view and we should be doing more to foster this form of workforce participation.
New thinking needed on part-time work for experienced professionals
Mature-age professionals often prefer to move to part-time work either as they transition out of the workforce or when they want to start a new business. However, finding good quality part-time jobs that utilise the high level skills and experience of older professionals are rare. As holders of significant corporate knowledge, a lack of attention to this issue by employers seems short-sighted.
Kick starting a job search
Kick starting a job search after a holiday break is never easy. To reinvigorate your search it may be necessary to have a plan and at the top of the list should be working your network
Can we prevent age bias in AI technologies?
The proliferation of AI or machine learning technologies pose some real concerns for bias including age bias. This bias is often unconsciously built into algorithms. Diversity among people developing algorithms and also in those assessing them for bias are critical to overcoming this problem.
Career transitions – finding work you love
It can be difficult to make a career transition at any age but it is particularly daunting as a mature worker. At the same time, as people get older interests often change and the desire to do something more meaningful or make a different kind of contribution can motivate a move in a new direction. It’s important to recognise that it is never too late to find work that you love as long as you are willing to put in the time and effort to understand your transferable skills and how they can benefit you in making a transition.
Seeking wise counsel
Mentoring programs and sponsorship, which aim to help people advance their careers or build a new business, are now commonplace. However, they are not without their pitfalls. That’s why it’s important to put in place some clear parametres.
The benefits and challenges of a multi-generational workforce
In some workplaces five generations may now be employed. While this age diversity is great for the unique perspectives each generation brings, organisations will need to pay more attention to how they leverage the benefits and meet the challenges of a multi-generational workforce into the future.
What will a loss of experience in the workforce mean for the economy?
The federal budget has been criticised for its lack of support for older workers. In particular, questions have been raised about the impact of the wage subsidy for younger people on the chances of mature workers remaining in, and finding work. What has been overlooked in the debate is what the loss of experience in the workforce might mean for the economy.
Retirement RIP
As we live longer, healthier lives, the idea of retirement as a concept is being called into question. In this blog we look at whether it is time to ‘retire retirement’.
Eight reasons to take the plunge as a mature-age entrepreneur
Mature-aged entrepreneurs are the fastest growing segment of enterpreneurship in Australia. Older workers have great networks and experience, which are critical to starting a new business. Could now be a good time to take the plunge?
The virtual co-working space – a better fit for senior entrepreneurs?
Co-working spaces have provided innovative environments for aspiring entrepreneurs but they are often designed to appeal to young innovators. Could virtual co-working be a better fit for senior entrepreneurs because of their potential for age-diverse, global membership?