I’ve never had a problem finding a new job, until I hit my fifties. Then it became an impossible task. I applied for over 80 jobs in a year. It’s demoralising. It sucks your confidence. Makes you doubt your capability. And finally, thank goodness, it made me so mad I fought back. Being chucked on the employment rubbish heap riled me to the extent that I am on a crusade to prove that experience does not have an expiry date. And skills are transferable across sectors.
The over 50s were hardest hit with redundancy during the pandemic. Once out of work this age group finds it so much harder to get back in. Past it. Lacking energy. Digitally incompetent. Over-qualified. Feet up cruising to retirement. I’ve heard all the negative stereotypes of older job seekers. It seems crazy that experienced people are being overlooked considering the skills shortage in the workplace, no less so than in the charity sector where the number of vacancies mean some organisations are having to cut back on what they can deliver.
If you’ve worked in a charity for most of your career you may not realise how hard it is to make the leap from the corporate world. Many of the people who finally manage it, do so because someone gives them a chance.
I was lucky enough to find five amazing, trail blazing charities who piloted the idea of paid placements as a stepping stone into the charity world.
November 2023 Dee, Stella, Kaz, Caroline, Mills and Christina started 6-month placements. They joined Alzheimer’s Society, Disability Equality Scotland, Age UK, Age International and the British Heart Foundation. They worked in Fundraising, Volunteering, Campaigning and Member Engagement. Some were returning to the workforce having taken career breaks to support their children through school. All struggled to switch to the voluntary sector, and those who had interviews usually lost out to someone who’d already worked in a charity.
They loved their placements. One told me the experience had changed her life. They made an impact. Their commercial experience and their knowledge gives them a different perspective, creating a diverse way of thinking across a team.
Their managers were just as enthusiastic. “Having a fresh set of eyes, that has never worked in the charity sector, has been really refreshing for our team.” “She comes with experience I don’t think we’d be able to find in the charity sector, because she’s worked across so many different organisations and companies.” “Having someone who has never worked in the sector, is a real super power.”
If you would like to switch your skills to a charity, The Well Placed runs 2 cohorts a year in November and May.