Kerry Hannon, author of 'In Control at 50+', discusses combating ageism in the workplace with Jessi. They explore challenges faced by older workers, benefits of remote work, value of continuous learning, and embracing career transitions. The conversation highlights strategies to navigate ageism, find new opportunities, and succeed in the modern workforce.
Older workers face challenges of ageism in the workplace, but entrepreneurship offers autonomy and success.
Career transitions require self-reflection, upskilling, and challenging biases towards diverse skill sets in hiring practices.
Deep dives
Facing Ageism in the Workplace
Ageism in the workplace is addressed in this episode, highlighting the challenges older workers face in a changing work environment. The episode presents the experiences of individuals feeling undervalued due to their age, seeking more meaningful work opportunities beyond traditional retirement age. The discussion emphasizes the importance of recognizing the value and skills of older employees, urging employers to adapt to the shifting demographics and appreciate the unique contributions of seasoned workers.
Embracing Entrepreneurship in Later Career Stages
The podcast explores the concept of entrepreneurship as a viable option for individuals in the latter stages of their careers. Entrepreneurship is presented as a pathway to autonomy and self-direction, allowing individuals to leverage their skills and experience in new ways. The episode highlights the potential success of older women in entrepreneurial endeavors, emphasizing the benefits of moving at a thoughtful pace to achieve long-term success.
Navigating Career Transitions and Upskilling
Listeners are encouraged to navigate career transitions by reassessing personal goals and aspirations in the later stages of their careers. The importance of self-reflection and identifying desires beyond traditional milestones is underscored to facilitate successful career pivots. Additionally, the episode stresses the significance of continuous learning and upskilling to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving job market, urging individuals to embrace curiosity as a mindset for growth.
Addressing Biases and Promoting Diversity in Hiring
The episode addresses biases prevalent in hiring practices, highlighting the tendency of hiring managers to favor candidates who mirror their own demographics. Recommendations are provided for hiring managers to interrogate internal biases and foster inclusivity within their recruitment strategies. Moreover, the importance of valuing diverse skill sets over traditional qualifications is emphasized, urging organizations to tap into the wealth of experience and expertise offered by mature professionals.
Like most -isms in our world, ageism can be pervasive in the workplace. Older employees might be passed over for new opportunities, expected to fall behind on technology, and generally underestimated just because of their age. Today’s guest is optimistic about the future for workers 50 years and older. Kerry Hannon is the author of “In Control at 50+: How to Succeed in The New World of Work.” She sits down with Jessi to discuss how we can set ourselves up for success and new opportunities well into our 50s and 60s.