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Ageism: a career destroyer or a chance to start a new life?

How do you start a new life after losing your job when you are over 40?

I am repeatedly asked this question by people, and it is indeed extremely painful for many. I would like to share a story with you. A woman of “Balzac’s age plus” was made redundant and, of course, like most people, she started looking for a new job. At first, she was enthusiastic about it, but after numerous interviews to no avail, where the reason for rejection was the age limit, she became depressed and gave up. I also have other stories of young people being denied employment with the wording “too young, no experience”.

Unfortunately, at some point in our lives, many of us have to deal with the negative phenomenon of ageism. This is a latent form of age discrimination, i.e. its hidden form. This problem has become acute in many countries around the world, and Ukraine is no exception. Society has prejudicial stereotypes that apply not only to middle-aged people but also to young people. With regard to the former, employers have limited understanding of their ability to work and learn, to quickly navigate the situation and to keep up with the times. At the same time, young people’s little or no work experience is often devalued by the older generation, which, so to speak, “knows better”. A classic example of ageism in our society is the notion of respecting a person for their age, which is rather strange because you should respect them for certain personal qualities, not for the number of years they have lived.

Having had a negative experience in employment caused by ageism, a person loses self-confidence, feels inner confusion, and fears that all attempts to find a job in their field will end in failure. In this regard, they become stressed before each new attempt to pass an interview. They feel disappointed and unrecognised, which negatively affects their somatic health and leads to depression.

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What should people who face ageism do?

Firstly, they should understand that refusal of employment due to age is not a sentence, but a chance to reflect and finally change the trajectory of their lives. Starting a new life after losing a job can be a challenge, but it can also be seen as a period of new opportunities and change. The main thing is to have the desire to act because motivation is the driving force in any business. But desire alone is not enough, it would be good to unpack your personality, namely, to conduct, so to speak, an “audit” of your resources and your own self-analysis. There is no need to be afraid, there is nothing complicated here, it is only important to overcome the psychological barrier and sometimes laziness.

It is necessary to objectively identify your strengths and weaknesses, think through a strategy for further action, starting with identifying your capabilities and abilities. Look inside yourself, identify your goals, values and preferences. What is important to you in your work and life? What are your strengths and what skills do you want to develop? In other words, you need to realise your internal and external resources, and perhaps find like-minded people. Create an action plan for finding a new job or reorienting your career, and determine what steps you need to take to achieve your goal. Assess your skills, experience and interests. Answer the following questions: What am I best at? What interests me and what would I like to work on? Perhaps your hobby can become a new source of income, or you once had an idea to start your own business, change your field of activity, and now fate is indicating that the right time has come. For example, you used to be fond of knitting blouses and sweaters and you really liked it, but then you gave up your hobby. Perhaps it’s time to remember about it now because the so-called “handmade” industry is gaining momentum every year and your skills can not only be useful but also be a good source of income. Unfortunately, we often do not pay attention to the clues that fate and coincidence throw at us.

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Next, you need to think about the direction of your future activities, calculate possible threats and ways to avoid them. It should be noted here that in this case, you are this “business project”. Research the labour market in your future industry and determine which sectors are promising and which are risky for your career development. In other words, work with yourself and for yourself to create your personal “business project”. This is also useful not only for a new field of work but also for your own self-development.

Another step towards success in your business is to learn new skills. Consider opportunities to improve your skills that could be useful for your new career. Take courses or trainings to improve your existing skills and increase your chances of finding a new job. This is also useful not only for a new field of work but also for your own self-development.

Another important step in finding a new job is to actively communicate and expand your network. Don’t hesitate to ask for support from family, friends and colleagues who can help you get through this period more easily. In addition, seek help from professional employment counsellors or a network of contacts to find new job opportunities. New people in your environment can sometimes help to put a different perspective on ordinary things and spur you on to action.

Losing your job is not the end, but the beginning of a new life.

It is always thorny, but it is a time for personal and professional development, self-realisation, and a chance for change. For many, it becomes a catalyst for self-reflection, opening up new opportunities and horizons. Remember, only you can change it for the better. As the saying goes, the road will be overcome by the one who moves. Move forward and you will succeed, age does not matter for making your dreams come true!

 

Vlada Marinina, psychologist

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