Laid-Off, But Near Retirement? Here’s What To Do.

Robby

If you’re in Central Indiana and you’ve been laid off, you will likely feel discouraged. And if you’re close to retirement age, you’re probably feeling despondent.

Who is going to hire someone who was about to leave the workforce anyway?

When jobseekers here in Indianapolis approach me with this problem, I want to offer more than encouragement—I want to offer some clear thinking. They often asked “What are my chances of finding my recent level of income at his age?”

The answer is: 100%. Since you had a job that valued you at that level, it is absolutely possible to find new work that leverages his skills and experience.

© Flickr User Rain Moth Gallery

However—and this is the kicker—the techniques needed to present yourself for those kinds of opportunities are completely different than the skills he needed to move up to the level of the position you just left. Here are a few examples:

How to Get Internally Promoted to a High-Paying Position As An Older Worker

Probably doing it the way you did it: Work for the company for a long time, demonstrate loyalty, put in hard work, continue to increase your education, and reap the rewards.

How to Find a High-Paying Position at a New Company As An Older Worker

• Attend a networking groups
• Develop your online presence
• Leverage your personal contacts
• Practice interviewing and selling yourself
• Stay positive

It’s a completely different set of skills. And that’s why so many older workers struggle if they are laid off from their jobs.