What are the best careers/industries for career changers? What
companies/industries are more receptive to professionals in their late
40s who seek a career change. Most of my career has been in the paper
industry in some form or fashion. I've owned a language business, sold
it and am now looking for something outside the paper industry which
is in very bad shape.

Most companies or industries want someone from their industry or
prefer giving entry-level positions ( which I'm willing to do) to
college graduates. I'm looking for those exceptions who welcome or
even court older professionals.

I would appreciate help on this matter.

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Request for Question Clarification by jbf777-ga on 22 Aug 2003 13:16 PDT

Hello -

Could you elaborate on what kind of capacity you'd like to work in? 
Sales?  Management?  Any inkling of the direction you'd like to pursue
industry-wise?

Since you have experience running your own business, have you thought
about doing that again, perhaps in a different industry?  Or are you
disregarding that possibility entirely?

Thanks,

jbf777-ga
GA Researcher

<Top careers for the L Generation by Michelle Crow suggests the
following careers for older workers.

1. Chief Executive Officer
2. Entrepreneur
3. Consultant
4. Not profit executive
5. Medical records technician.
6. Real estate agent.
7. Loan/insurance agent.
8. Securities Sales Rep/Financial advisor.
9. Travel agent/specialist
10. Instructor
11. Writer/editor
12. Engineer

These are positions where age and experience is valued. At the end of
the feature there is a table with links to job sites. Links are given
below to sites where further information can be found about these
careers.
http://www.hightechcareers.com/doc200/over50200.html

Further information.

Chief Executive Officer
http://www.ncbuy.com/careers/blsj/job012.html

Median earnings (2000).
General operations managers $61,160
Computer industry $101,340
Management and public relations $84,610
Local government $54,700
Grocery stores $44,120

Chief executive $113,810
Management and public relations $136,760
Engineering and architectural services $124,080
Commercial banks $120,840
Colleges and universities $94,980
Local government $69,970

Sources of further information.
http://www.ncbuy.com/careers/blsj/job012_add.html

Consultant
Working as a consultant is a career where experience is a big plus.
You have the option of working for yourself or alternatively working
in-house for a company.

How to assess if consulting is right for you.
http://www.fiveoclockclub.com/articles/1997/02-97-Consulting1-Halland.html

So you want to be a consultant.
http://www.imagineeringezine.com/e-zine/wanabe.html


Real estate

Median earnings in 2000 were $27,640 
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos120.htm

A career in real estate.
Entry level salary is around $18,000.
http://featuredreports.monster.com/realestate/switch/

Getting certification
The length of time to get a certificate varies from state to state.
For example in New York it is 45 hours of classes and in Texas it is
180 lhours.
http://featuredreports.monster.com/realestate/certification/


Loan/Insurance agent
Older entrants are particularly valued for the selling of 
commercial insurance where their experience in a particular field can
help to sell policies to that industry.  Median earnings in 2000 were
$38,750
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos118.htm

Financial advisors
This is a growing industry and will expand as the baby boomers save
for retirement.
Median earnings were $52,420 in 2000.
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos259.htm

Instructors
There is expected to be increasing demand in Teaching English as a
second language. There is also demand for self-enrichment classes.
Median hourly earning were $16.12 in 2000.
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos064.htm

Travel agents
Median earnings in 2000 were $25, 150.
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos124.htm

Writers and Editors
The growth of the internet has resulted in a greater demand for
writers and editors.
Median earnings in 2000 were $42,270
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos089.htm

Engineers
Entrance level salaries for college graduates are significantly higher
than other fields.
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos027.htm>


<Additional links:>

<8 interview question for older workers to anticipate.>
<http://www.aarp.org/bulletin/departments/2002/life/0905_sidebar_4.html>

<7 fundamental rules for crafting a rock-solid resume.>
<http://www.aarp.org/bulletin/departments/2002/life/0905_sidebar_3.html>

<The Art of Networking
Since most jobs are not advertised, networking is an essential
activity to learn about openings. This site provides links to key
networking resources.>
<http://www.quintcareers.com/networking.html>

<Occupational Outlook Handbook
Gives details about specific occupations with information about
salaries, qualifications needs and job descriptions.>
<http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm>

<Tomorrow’s Jobs
The fastest growing area of employment is the services related field
which includes finance, insurance and real estate.
<http://www.bls.gov/oco/oco2003.htm>



<Search strategy:>

<careers "older workers">
<://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=careers+%22older+workers%22>

<careers "shortage of" "change of>
<://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=careers+%22shortage+of%22&as_q=%22change+of+career%22>

<careers mature>
<://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=careers+mature>

<"occupation outlook">
<://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=%22occupation+outlook%22>


<Hope this helps

---

Request for Answer Clarification by johnster-ga on 28 Aug 2003 06:49 PDT

One Researcher asked for additional information.

I'm looking at managment or sales positions preferably insides sales.

I'm focusing on environmental, tourism, education companies among
others.

Some of the companies I intend to contact are Air Tran (growth), Green
Mountain Energy (renewable sources) and the HRC- Human Rights
Commission in Washington.

I enjoy marketing and soft sales. I would really like to work for a
company or agency which is growing in size and influence. I don't like
maintaining the status quo. I like challenges.

---

Clarification of Answer by belindalevez-ga on 08 Sep 2003 23:35 PDT

<The National Association of Sales Professionals provides
certification for sales persons. They also have a searchable job bank
and allow you to post your resume to find positions.
http://www.nasp.com/

To find entry level positions in a growing company you can perform a
search for:

<sales "entry level" "growing company">
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=sales+%22entry+level%22+%22growing+company%22

Performing a search for pages updated in the last 3 months will help
to eliminate outdated positions.
://www.google.com/search?as_q=sales++growing-company&num=10&hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&btnG=Google+Search&as_epq=entry+level+&as_oq=&as_eq=&lr=&as_ft=i&as_filetype=&as_qdr=m3&as_occt=any&as_dt=i&as_sitesearch=&safe=images

The following are links to the companies that you have indicated.

Air Tran – employment opportunities.
They currently have entry level sales positions which pay from $8.50
per hour.
http://www.airtran.com/aboutus/employ/index.jsp

Green Mountain Energy – employment
They currently have entry level sales vacancies which pay $8 per hour.
http://www.greenmountain.com/about/employment/index.jsp

Human Rights Commission
http://www.wa.gov/hrc/commission/contact.htm>


<Hope this helps.>