Looking to enter the Canadian labor market? It is not as difficult as you think.
We grow up viewing life after 65 as the fruit of our labour, as a time when we can finally do the things we only dreamt about on a regular 9-to-5. So, whether you are currently sprinting the final lap of your professional journey, or are a fresh-faced graduate scrolling through LinkedIn internship listings – chances are that you have at least briefly thought about your retirement years.
Well then, what does retirement look like for you? Does it involve checking off every touristy location off your bucket list? Taking memorable pictures in front of the Colosseum? Scuba diving in Corsica? Fishing at the Great Lakes?
Or – and I am sure there are many considering this option – is it to not retire at all? Because there is no hard-and-fast rule about when you should retire, and some people work well past their 60s! This could be due to several reasons; be it to save up for their forever home, support their families, or pay off pending loans. Regardless, it is completely okay to delay the day you bid adieu to the job market!
If you are planning to keep working for a while, then, it is important to note that while the opportunities are many, the job search process could be a little different for you compared to younger applicants. Here we talk about the ways in which you need to tailor your own professional hunt, to find a job as a mature job seeker in 2023:
1. Keep your resume up to date
You have probably been part of the labour market for a while now, and have gathered up years’ worth of valuable experience. The trick is to leverage that, as it is a huge advantage you hold over several younger candidates.
Make sure that your resume does a fair job of representing all the work you have done, be it professional, volunteer-related, or personal project-related. Go into the details about each role, and highlight the skills you may have picked up along the way using keywords mentioned in the job description (in case you have a specific job in mind). It is also extremely important to keep up-to date regarding resume-writing conventions in Canada as of 2023, as employers may not even read an application if it doesn’t follow guidelines.
2. Acquire new skills
Although you have a treasure chest of beneficial skills, which younger candidates may not, it is important to keep building upon them. The job market is never static, and neither are the skill requirements of candidates. Moreover, hiring managers appreciate candidates who are constantly expanding their knowledge in the industry they specialize in; it shows an ability to stay ahead of the curb.
3. Think about switching industries
It is never too late to change careers! You can, at any time, decide to pick up a new occupation, and that is the beauty of working in Canada.
We recommend that 65-plus job seekers consider applying to jobs that are “age proof”, that is, they do not have barriers to entry for older applicants. Moreover, you could join them at 20 or 70, and keep working in them till you do decide to retire as long as you are physically and mentally able. All that is required is you possess the qualifications necessary for succeeding in them.
Teaching, freelancing, and financial advisory are all examples of this. You should do your own research, however, to find the low age-barrier occupations best suiting your profile.
4. Embrace technology
Most fields, as of 2023, require some form of technological competence to be successful in. Take architecture, for example; you may need to be well-versed in software such as Revit, ArchiCad, and Allpaln, which all fall under the umbrella of Building Information Modelling (BIM). This is involved in every stage of the design, documentation, construction, and interfacing process.
5. Look for inclusive workplaces!
Ageism is a problem that older employees could expect to face, and many companies may not offer the work-life flexibility desired by mature workers. However, that should not detract you from looking for a job. Given the tight labor market, companies are increasingly reliant on elderly professionals for filling roles.
You should look at the list of Top Employers for Canadians over 40, which have special programs and benefits of interest for employees of 40 years of age or older. For example, Calgary’s Enbridge Inc. is a private-sector employer that allows new employees join the defined benefit pension plan after working on the job for a few years. Go through companies fitting your profile, and apply for openings if there are any!
We understand that everything we have described above is easier said than done; that is why we are going to be there with you, every step of the way! We at SkilledWorker.com offer our clients industry-leading career coaching and support services to find the perfect job in Canada. Resources, tools, one-on-one interview prep – you name it, we got it. While our MyCareer platform provides a free evaluation of your qualifications, we also offer paid services such as the EECP+ (our in-house Employment Enhancement and Coaching Package) and IELTS training courses.
For more information, contact us at [email protected]. See you soon!
