Career Change Resources for Experienced or Mature Employees

It’s scary when you feel forced into a career change, but things will be ok — the great news is, you have options. It can be hard to know where to start when you expected to remain employed by the same organization until retirement. I have worked with countless clients while they went through a career change following the sale, closure, or reorganization of their previous workplace. This page includes a collection of resources designed to help people who need to make a career change after working for one employer (e.g., GM or one of its suppliers) for an extended period of time. Many of these resources have come from my blog/’AudioBlog’ which is searchable by keyword, by voice on Android devices and Chrome browser and has 180+ articles that you can read or listen to. Additional information is available in past issues of my bi-monthly newsletter ‘You Heard it Here!‘ (you can view and/or subscribe here).

What Type of Job Should I Look For?

This is such a short and simple question, with so many potential answers. Here are a few previous blog articles that may help you to get your creative juices flowing regarding your career change:

• Dear Dr. Helen, How Do I Pick A Career That’s Just Right For Me?
• Automation Is Now
• How To Stay Relevant In The Era Of Artificial Intelligence
• The province of Ontario has some resources available, including Adjusting After Job Loss and Second Career (note this may only apply once a person is eligible for Employment Insurance/EI).
• On November 30, 2019, a provincial representative advised me that “There will be more customized info through GM and your union as details are confirmed” and suggested looking at Rapid Re-employment Training Service which I hope and expect will be updated soon.
• Remember that you are probably capable of doing something different from your past/current job. Consider things that you may have done as a volunteer or as a hobby – some of those skills and abilities may help you get in the door at a different company.
• I also have some strategies for identifying viable career paths. Contact me for more info (email and social media links are below)

If it’s Been a While Since You’ve Looked for a Job, the following articles should give you some ideas around the modern job search, networking, resumes, and cover letters.

• The “Death Of The Salesman” … Is It Online Job Screening?
• Digital Discrimination – The Algorithm is Rigged
• Hidden Consequences Of Online Screening
• Incidental Networking And The Hidden Value Of A Diverse Network
• Resilience And Careers – What’s The Big Deal?
• Networking For Resilience

This next block of articles may resonate with employees who have worked in the same organization for a while

• Life In The Time Of Ageism
• Older, Experienced Workers Without A Degree
• The Fine Line Between Being Fired And Being Retired … Before You’re Ready

For anyone who may be considering self-employment options, these articles may be of interest

• Encore Entrepreneurship – It’s More Common Than You Think
• Encore Entrepreneurship: The Gray Edge Of The Wedge
• What’s Riskier For Your Career? Getting Hired For A Job … Or Becoming Self-Employed? (Part 1)
• What’s Riskier For Your Career? Getting Hired For A Job Or Becoming Self-Employed? (Part Two)
• Pros And Cons: Buy A Franchise Or Build A Business From Scratch?

In case you’re curious about me, here’s the short version. Since graduating in 1999, I have been working on HR and Career matters using my doctorate in work psychology (officially known as Industrial and Organizational Psychology). Since 2012, I have been providing Career Coaching/Career Counselling services through my own practice I/O Advisory Services. I offer Career Coaching and Outplacement Services.

For more info, please visit my About and/or listen to this recent radio interview on Getting back into the job market after a lay-off (‘The Goods with Dahlia Kurtz’, December 2, 2018, CFRA Ottawa).

Do you need help navigating the world of work? Are you feeling stuck when trying to decide on a new career path? Updating your resume, cover letters, or LinkedIn profile? Would you like to do a practice interview or two before you start doing real ones? Contact me today for a free and confidential initial consultation by phone, email, or via direct message on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

More than career coaching, it’s career psychology®.

I/O Advisory Services – Building Resilient Careers and Organizations.