No more corporate America? It’s a familiar tune.
A common refrain that we hear from many 50+ job seekers is that they want something different. “No more corporate America,” is usually the way it goes.
That’s certainly understandable. Navigating the sometimes treacherous currents of corporate America can be daunting. Or worse.
Naturally, after years in that environment, many mature job seekers are looking elsewhere.
The typical first stop is working at a smaller company. While that may work for many, it’s not for everyone. The way things are done in smaller companies may be a shock to someone who has grown accustomed to the giant conglomerate. It may be best to speak with someone who has been there. Hmmm. It sounds like a perfect lure for an informational interview.
Another popular perceived landing spot is the non-profit organization. At this stage of life, many individuals want to “give something back.” While laudable, from a career standpoint, again, there may be pitfalls.
If you think that big companies and small companies operate differently, but if you’re considering a non-profit – as they say, “You ain’t seen nuthin’ yet.” The non-profit world can be just that – another world.
This is not to say that any one of you might not thrive in any of these environments. But, as we stated earlier, it will behoove you to do your due diligence – not just of specific organizations, but the entire work-a-day world may be different.
With all that to consider, let’s throw one more log on the fire. As different as small companies and non-profits are, we haven’t even mentioned starting your own business. Now that’s a horse of a different color.