How long are you willing to wait for your next position?
One of the greatest fears among job seekers in general, and this is especially true for job seekers over 50, is the real possibility that, because of age, they may never be able to land another job. Never finding an employer willing to hire them at their age is enough to keep them up at nights.
When looking for a job at our age, it is a real concern. And now, factor in the Covid-19, the shakes and shivers can turn into hair loss and a cold sweat.
But all is not gloom and doom.
According to job search website Indeed.com, “The amount of time it takes to find a job can vary based on experience, demand and luck.” They add that some people – in high demand areas – can find a new job in days, others may go for months without as much as an interview.
In the main, Indeed.com states, “The average amount of time it takes to find a job is about nine weeks due to the process of sending out applications, scheduling interviews and waiting for a callback.”
Of course, there is another fear haunting the 50+ job seeker. That’s the specter of being offered a job you don’t especially want, or getting a job offer at an insulting low pay. Realistically, it’s not likely that you’ll make as much money as you did before. But, you may be able to negotiate some non-salary compensation (i.e. flex time, more time off, etc.) as an offset.
At the end of the day, do you take that job out of fear that you may not get another offer? Or, do you wait, thinking that something better is most assuredly out there?
Unfortunately, as much as we hate to admit it, we have to be honest: There is no silver bullet answer. How long is too long? Is it better to wait for an ideal position? As a counselor friend admits, “Finding a job is an accident.” And he adds that job seekers who are successful create quality accidents.