In your mid 40’s and 50’s… what your remaining 20 years of career will be
This is a common trait of a number of my clients searching for guidance and advice, whether in outplacement or coaching. So common that you may relate to the following example of one of them, I’ll call him Sam for this article.
Sam graduated in 1995 without anticipating a future as a Product Owner manager, a field that was just emerging. He shifted to front-end and back-end development and graphic design during the dot-com bubble, gaining valuable experience at various companies. Sam eventually built and managed development teams, taking on leadership roles at prominent organizations.
However, as he approached his 45th birthday, Sam began to panic and start questioning himself. He struggled to envision the next 20 years of his career, particularly when considering seniority, work life balance, salary, saving for retirement, pension fund (LPP). He even mentioned that he had no clear understanding of the LPP system and how he is really protected in terms of social insurance.
Furthermore, he wondered how to maintain his expertise relevance as senior roles like Chief Product Officer are limited. Where would he go from here? After all, as one climbs the corporate ladder, the number of available positions decreases.
The solution is quite clear
All this led Sam to reflect on how to ensure that his efforts, career trajectory and value to organizations remained strong throughout his career.
The solution, which he discovered during our career development program, was relatively clear.
The key to success lies in the continuous development of your employability. This involves consistently sharing and repurposing your experience, passion, and expertise to create an ecosystem of thought leadership around yourself. By becoming a recognized expert in your chosen field, you reverse the job search dynamic opportunities come to you, rather than the other way around.
Continuous development of your employability doesn’t necessarily mean quitting your job. It applies equally to those who wish to remain employed in-house long-term and to those who aspire to consult or become self-employed, even entrepreneurs.
Here are five core concepts I, as a career coach, I consider crucial as you think about the last 20 years of your career and building your professional ecosystem.
Entrepreneurial Mindset
I explained to Sam that I never thought of myself as an entrepreneur when I founded Jobprofile in 1998. You might not see yourself that way either. However, transitioning to an entrepreneurial mindset is essential.
It means proactively putting yourself and your ideas out there to attract opportunities, land them, and turn them into successful ventures.
This is your life, your business, your career. Approach it like an entrepreneur: Who is your target audience? What problems can you solve for them? What’s the most effective way to deliver your services? These questions guide you toward building a “Solopreneur” career centered around yourself.
Self-Confidence
Sharing your expertise can be daunting. I told Sam that I often questioned whether there was anything new to say about recruitment, career development, outplacement, or corporate culture.
It can feel like everything has already been said, but there’s one story that hasn’t been told yet yours. Your unique life experiences, diverse career paths, and the obstacles you’ve overcome form the foundation of your expertise. No one else has that.
Remember to tap into the deep well of skills and expertise that is uniquely yours. When you’re at a crossroads, know that you bring something valuable and unique to the table. Embrace it, own it, and share it with confidence.
Continuous Learning
Everything is constantly changing, and the only way to keep up—or better yet, stay ahead is to keep learning. Read blogs and books, listen to podcasts and audiobooks, and engage with thought leaders who can illuminate your path forward.
Talk to people who have achieved the success you aspire to, and build communities of expertise around yourself. Experiment with new ideas and approaches, and learn from both your successes and failures.
Stay curious and keep your mind open to new possibilities.
Continuous Improvement
As you learn and experiment, you will naturally improve in whatever you’ve chosen to do to enhance your employability. Always strive to find better ways to do your job, no matter how skilled you believe you are.
What can you learn from others in your field who have been successful? What about leaders in other industries? How did they build their ecosystem, and what can you apply to your own?
Conclusion
From the moment we enter the job market, we must continuously seek ways to reinvent ourselves. This ensures that our efforts, career paths, and viability as valuable employees for companies remain relevant throughout our careers.
So it’s essential to imagine what the last 20 years of your career might look like, and above all to implement the factors that will determine your success in this project.
That what we do at Jobprofile accompanying Sam and many others, to focus on ensuring the strength of their careers and value in the long term.
