Late Starters

The Late Starters is a recently-arrived group on the career scene. They are typically the late-twenties to late-thirties people who, for a range of reasons, feel that they are yet to start on a career path.

These include people who have:

• combined work and travel, or overseas study and travel
• already had their children and missed out on study when they first left school
• tried a number of jobs but not found any of these satisfying
• spent a considerable amount of time studying, perhaps to Ph.D level or they might have two or more Masters degrees, but lack work experience

Despite their considerable life experience, and usually a bucketload of transferable skills, when late-starters hit the job market they often find employers are prejudiced against them because of a perceived lack of experience. They look at high level graduates with a level of skepticism, and see them as competing with twenty-two year olds fresh out of uni. Those looking for work, say, in hospitality or retail, which do not require a university degree, are compared to others their age who have already built a career in the industry. Employers wonder whether they will be loyal, or whether they will be taking off on another overseas jaunt as soon as they have saved up again. People (usually women) who have children are seen as untrained and unreliable; the same goes for those who have job-hopped.

The challenges for this growing group of people are significant, but not insurmountable. Establishing a satisfying career is entirely possible, and there are some special strategies you can use.

Inquire about my e-book on this topic if you would like to get a head-start on your future.