Obstacles for over 50s when returning to the workforce

Illness, injury, travel, study, caring for others, or simply retiring early then realising you’re not quite done with working yet – whatever the reason, plenty of people step away from work only to step back into it later in life. 

It’s certainly not uncommon, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t come with its own obstacles. That’s why we’ve enlisted the help of Career Specialist, Caroline Sandford of Love Your Career for some insightful comments and advice. 

As we take a closer look at what the ageing workforce is and why you might dive into it after being away for some time, we share Caroline’s insight into the challenges of going back to work after a break, and her advice on how to glide over those hurdles.  

What is the ageing workforce, and what’s attracting over 50s back to work? 

The ageing workforce refers to the fact that large swathes of those in the workforce are older. According to 2019 research from the New Zealand Retirement Commission, an entire third of the New Zealand workforce is over the age of 55, and almost a quarter (24%) of Kiwis over the age of 65 are still working. That’s one of the highest rates of over 65s still working in the world – it’s just 12% in Australia, and 10% in the UK. 

And with our ageing population, those figures are only going to grow. 

Reasons why someone might prefer to return to work 

1. Jobs can keep you mentally and physically active. It can give you a reason to get up every day and get out of the house, it can challenge you, and introduce you to new people and skills. All that makes for a busy day, which can offer the real benefit of feeling like you have a sense of purpose. 
2. It’s a great way to maintain your social connections. Depending on the type of work, your daily schedule can include countless interactions with customers, colleagues, bosses, and employees, which usually offers a wide range of people to get to know and interact with.  
3. Financial benefits. Whether you’re already receiving the pension or not, there’s no denying that working and earning can help you to put more away for your eventual retirement.    

Key opportunities for over 50s returning to work 

Anyone who has tried to get something built or fixed in the last couple of years already knows there are massive shortages in the construction sector, but even the NZ Building Industry Federation chief executive Julien Leys admits that “every sector is screaming out for more workers.” Silver Fern Farms was roughly 10% short last season – that’s approximately 700 positions going unfilled. 

On TradeMe, there were 80,000 vacancies listed for the quarter ending June 30, 2021. The company’s sales director Matt Tolich described it as a job hunters’ market, saying “job seekers are well and truly in the driver's seat. It's a great time to be looking for a new role.”

The challenges of returning to work 

Even with a worker shortage, there are challenges in returning to work. 

According to 2019 research from the New Zealand Retirement Commission, a survey of 500 companies found that 65% agreed that older workers can face barriers to being hired because of age. 

Caroline Sandford also had similar sentiments, saying that “it would be naïve to think that there isn’t ageism out there.” 

That said, Caroline also pointed out that the main thing was attitude and conduct.

“Remind yourself that you bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and skills gained from all parts of your life. Build your confidence by acknowledging the skills and achievements that you have gained from your paid and unpaid experiences and be prepared to talk about how they will add value to your future employer,” she explained. 

Another challenge of re-entering the workforce later in life could be new technology. It’s moving and evolving so quickly these days that it’s hard to keep up with, so it’s no surprise it could deter some over 50s. 

Overcoming challenges

Caroline admits there are definitely challenges when it comes to re-entering the workforce.

“Being out of the paid workforce naturally results in loss of confidence, often due to doubting how up-to-date your skills now are, the competition from other candidates, and undervaluing the skills and experience that you have gained over time.”

But she also has a mountain of great advice. 

To begin, she suggests thinking about what you actually want to do. Consider your strengths, interests, values, and what would fit into your lifestyle. Then brainstorm all the transferable skills you have in your toolbox that could be marketable to a potential employer. 

Next, “identify what experience, skills and qualifications are expected for the roles that you want to do. Identify any key gaps, and think about how you can address them, e.g. taking an online computer course”. 

With those bases covered, it’s time to update your CV and LinkedIn profile (don’t have one? Today’s the day!).

“The majority of roles are secured through word of mouth. Start identifying who is in your network and what they are currently doing, and where, and connect with them. Have ‘curious conversations’ with your network about what you are looking for and ask for their advice about how to get into the area.”

You don’t need a lifetime of experience to know that it’s all about who you know, which is why Caroline’s next tip can be so useful. 

“Most employers prefer to recruit from those they know something about. Becoming known to a potential employer, so that you make a positive impression and demonstrate what you have to offer, could be a strategy to counter possible ageism. Temping, volunteering, contract or project work are effective pathways in creating future opportunities,” she suggests. 

Overall, these challenges are more than manageable, especially with a little organisation and determination. And if you’re getting back into work, consider exploring Seniors Term Life Insurance. With a policy in place, you can have peace of mind when it comes to protecting your family’s finances should the unexpected happen.

15 Oct 2022