Not Just a Granny

According to the Sunday Times of 08.11.09 the jobless graduate tally has hit 100,000.

The number of jobless university leavers is expected to break the 100,000 barrier, heightening fears of a “lost generation”.

Tens of thousands of out-of-work graduates from the class of 2009 have joined the 70,000 from last year who have still not found employment, official figures are expected to confirm.

The flood of applicants for the shrinking number of graduate jobs had led recruiters to become increasingly tough in their entrance requirements.

Unemployment data published by the Office for National Statistics will also show that the total number of jobless under 25 passed the 1million barrier in October, up from 946,000 in August.   The number of new graduates unable to find a job means the nearly 8% of those aged under 25 with a degree are now without a job.

So where does that leave the over 50’s?

As the years have gone by employers tend to employ people who are younger rather than the over 50’s and ageism has crept into the workplace, despite protests to the contrary.   Reaching 50 can be quite daunting and it is extremely difficult to compete with the younger generation for jobs, especially if you are returning to the workplace after a break.

Did you know: the number of Baby Boomers alive in 2030 will be 57.8 million!   And far from dwindling into the mists of time and irrelevance, born between 1946 & 1964, Baby Boomers are the largest demographic segment today!

I was reading an article in the November 2008 issue of Good Housekeeping and came across an article about women who had made major changes in their lives, and one of them really caught my eye.

The lady in question at the age of 52, divorced her husband, went to America to retrain as a Life Coach, set up her own business and now has her own home and freedom she never experienced before.

Was it easy?   Probably not!

You could settle for the Job Centre route, becoming a statistic on a long list of people waiting for employment, or you could take a leap of faith and start your own business.

Why start your own business?   There is a tremendous risk involved with starting up your own business.   There are many issues to be considered, particularly finance, and yet, in this age of insecurity and retrenchments, with more and more people being made redundant, the option of a job becomes less and less likely and less attractive.

So what are the options?

The first thing to consider is what experience do you have, what do you enjoy and what are you passionate about?   Statistics have proven that if you really love what you do, you will make a success of it.

Get together with a group of friends and brainstorm some ideas.   You would be amazed at what our friends know about us! 🙂

Do you enjoy writing?  You could do a course and put together a book, it could be about something you have a lot of experience in, a ‘How To’ if you like.

Do you enjoy dancing?   You could set up a group for your peers and charge them per session

Do you have expertise in sewing?   You could offer basic lessons to the mothers at the local school, in today’s economic climate many women would probably like to save a bit make their kiddies clothes.

Perhaps you had a career in Accounting; consider setting up a training course on how to set and manage budgets.

You could also consider joining an MLM or Network Marketing Company.   The set up costs are usually minimal and the industry has produced more millionaires in the last 50 years than any other industry in the world, ever.   In 2008 Avon received a massive boost when a young lady, Debbie Davis who had lost her job, became an Avon representative, aged just 29 she became Britain’s most successful seller.

You could set up a Joint Venture with someone, pool your experiences and offer your services.

On another level, you could offer courses at the local Community Centre.  What about painting, or drawing or cooking; think Nigella Lawson.

Are you good with your hands?   Many women are exceptionally handy with their hands and have had years of experience fixing things in the house; d.i.y.   You could offer a basic service in the neighbourhood; changing light bulbs, plugs, whatever; offer a service.

What is available for women our age, the Baby Boomers?

And as we explore those options, let us celebrate the unalienable fact that we have so many more opportunities open to us than our mothers did.   We are no longer constrained by the rules of society, we have a choice and in exercising those choices we are able to experience the freedom that brings.

I would be interested to hear what you think!

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