According to last year’s report from the Women and Equalities Committee more than a million people over 50 are unemployed but want to work. In a recent article in The Telegraph, Professor Heather McGregor, executive dean of Edinburgh Business School, mentioned that despite obstacles such as technology advancements or lack of relevant experience, it is perfectly possible to change career in your fifties. She went on to explain the strengths of the older workforce and how skills can be transferable across industries.
This is something that we are really passionate about as we strongly believe that changing career later on in life can be a great way forward. As you may know, Karen started Cleanhome shortly after turning 50 when she was keen to achieve a better work/life balance. She used the skills she developed over the years by working across various industries to build a business and following the success of the first Cleanhome branch she franchised the business model so others could benefit from it.
If you feel that you’re ready for a change and want to take on a new challenge, there are a few things you should consider. Firstly, it’s really important to keep learning new things and developing new skills. Whether that’s through training or independent learning, you need to keep improving. There is an abundance of resources you can access out there from evening classes to online courses so explore all the different options available to you.
This also the time to make the most of your personal and professional network. One of your biggest advantages is building connections over the years so it’s time to make the most of them. Reach out to people who may be able to help you through introductions or can give you career tips. Even if their industry is not relevant to what you’re aiming for, it might provide you with someone who can act as a sounding board to bounce ideas off. If you are thinking of setting up your own business, talking to other business owners can be particularly helpful.
Starting over in your 50s may seem daunting but it can be a great opportunity to develop yourself and open up an exciting new career path ahead of you. So if you’re open to change, fuel your next move with your passion for knowledge and the rest will follow!
Cleanhome UK News 