The New Over 50 Challenge
In recent years, it has become clear that women over 50 are facing new challenges in the workplace. There have been numbers of instances of women in this age group being laid off (“right sized” is new newest buzz word) and being unable to find an open door into a company that would welcome their expertise and experience.
There are also many more women who have taken time away from their career path in order to raise a family who also find it next to impossible to get hired. Too many of those businesses are looking for someone younger to fill vacant positions who will accept lower salary and are willing to overlook someone with more far experience to get them.
From 2012-2013, women in the over 50 age group accounted for nearly half of the long-term unemployed. That is a quite a difference from previous years, when they were less than 25% of that group in the United States.
What should experienced women over 50 do when they find no job offers forthcoming?
Perhaps best and smartest option for these women to consider is the opportunity to launch their own businesses. Whether it’s to start a home-based business, launch an online store, or join the growing number of franchise owners, starting a business is a great way for women with more experience to rejoin the workforce and find independence in their careers.
According to the International Franchise Association Educational Foundation, franchising has grown faster than any other businesses since 2010. More and more people are turning to these preformed business models to embark on a new career path and to find some freedom and independence.
Women have so many different franchise opportunities to choose from these days that they are sure to find the right industry to fit their lifestyle. One of the main benefits of launching a franchise is that there is already proven success in that business model and the company will do what it can to help the entrepreneur be successful.
If a franchise doesn’t feel like the right way to go, there are many other options including direct sales companie, or simply creating their own company that provides a product or service that no one else does in their area.
Deciding to own their own business also means that these women no longer have to toil away to make someone else richer. All the effort that they put into their company translates into greater rewards for the woman personally and more money in her bank account.
Women over 50 should not feel like they have nothing to offer the business world just because traditional companies show no interest in the experience that they have to offer. They need to consider all of the possibilities and benefits of starting a business of their own. Oh, and be sure to get a business coach!