Keep an eye out for signs that you could be aging out of job.
It’s not unusual for people to outgrow their jobs. You have alternatives, which is wonderful news.
Are you noticing signs at work or during job interviews that your industry is changing and leaving you behind? The signs may be subtle or obvious, but the truth is that you are aging out of your job.
It’s more crucial than ever to understand how such signals are delivered so you can figure out whether you’re on the verge of retiring from your job. You may be able to take action to safeguard yourself and your livelihood now that you have this knowledge. Here are some warning indicators to look out for:
What’s Going on in Your Environment?
Organizations change from time to time; it’s a natural element of doing business. While growing older is not inherently a form of age discrimination, some developments in your employment or sector may cause you to be left behind in part due to your age.
DEMOGRAPHICS – Are younger, less-tenured employees being promoted ahead of you? This is a not-so-subtle indication that you are being passed over on purpose.
SKILL SETS – Has the whole division and/or company changed beneath or around you in terms of skillsets? If your firm is adopting a newer language that you are unfamiliar with, or if you believe you have fought technological advancements implemented by your organization, this might exacerbate your sense of isolation at work. Inadvertently, you may be putting your abilities out of date.
AT THE INTERVIEW – If you and the interviewer have a brief interview or discussion, you should move on since the employer may have already formed conclusions about your suitability based on your age or other factors. A short interview is an alarming indication. Either the recruiter or hiring manager felt forced to interview, or they were just going through the motions after concluding you weren’t the right fit.
If one of the following five expressions is used by a current or future employer, it might signify you’ve crested the wave in their minds:
You’ve Been Here So Long’
If this statement was made in an annual review, after a meeting, or casually over lunch, it might be a hint that the speaker believes you’re aging out of your job. These types of comments may indicate that your time at the organization has outlived its value. Consider if you should follow up with the person who mentioned this and/or whether it’s time to look for other work.
The Job Is ‘Extremely Stressful’
If a boss explains a prospective new work for you in this way, he may be implying that the job takes more energy or output than he’s used to seeing from you lately.
‘You Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks,’ as the saying goes.
This might indicate that your supervisor feels the firm is involved in activities you are unaware of or don’t comprehend, or that the terminology used to discuss your company has changed.
‘You’re Overqualified’ or ‘You’ve Got More Experience Than We Need’
If your years of experience just show that you’ve worked in the sector for a number of years, you might not be providing the value that today’s companies are looking for. Senior-suite roles increasingly demand a demonstrated capacity to affect the bottom line. This means job seekers and employees need to show the results of the work they’ve done.
‘We’re looking for someone who can bring a new perspective to the table.’
This might be a signal from the interviewer indicating that your resume and profile are too old for the job criteria. Consider how you might sell the contributions you made in your previous role. Always stress how your efforts contributed to the company’s purpose or bottom line.
What Should You Do If You Suspect You’re Aging Out?
Finding a fulfilling career can be a long, incremental journey. Few people enter the workforce knowing exactly what they want to do. In fact, by age 50, the average person has held 12 different jobs in an effort to find the “right fit.” For many, this requires changing careers completely. In 2016 alone, roughly 6.2 million workers made the leap, leaving their current roles for work in an entirely different field. So if you’re considering a career change, you’re not alone. Taking action on these thoughts, however, can be daunting. For some, it can mean deserting a stable job to head down an uncharted path.
Switching job functions in the middle of a career might feel like a step backward for some people, but it doesn’t have to be. As a Career Ownership Coach, my goal is to support people who want to make the leap and start their own empires.
Learn more about how I can help you by booking a free discovery call. https://ksprouse.youcanbook.me