t used to be when you turn 65, most people put down the work and retire. However, the newest trend is “unretiring,” with as many as 20% of older workers rejoining the labor market in their 60s and 70s.
As of late 2023, there were nearly twice the percentage of Americans over age 65 working compared to the 1980s, according to Pew Research.
Carly Roszkowski of AARP says that given the tight labor market, it makes good business sense for employers to hire older workers.
“We have seen an increased interest in hiring older workers nationally,” she said.
A major reason is inflation, which is battering the value of their 401k and monthly Social Security checks.
What to know before you apply
Roszkowski says a majority of older workers feel age discrimination can hurt their chances of getting a new job. So, in your resume, highlight your skills, not your age, she says.
“Make sure you are highlighting your most recent experience. And while you want to include your credentials, you don’t have to include graduation dates,” she said.
And if you’re hanging on to an old Hotmail or AOL email account, upgrade to something more modern like Gmail. She also says it’s never too late to create a LinkedIn profile.
Millions of retirees like Rooch are now working again, whether for the money or to stay active.
“It’s something to do, or I wouldn’t know what to do,” he said.
Politicians, dignitaries and celebrities joined members of the public Saturday at a state funeral to honor Brian Mulroney, one of Canada’s most consequential prime ministers who in the 1980s solidified trade ties with the U.S. and spoke out against South Africa’s apartheid.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and hockey great Wayne Gretzky were among the attendees at Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica. Mulroney, who died Feb. 29 at age 84, was prime minister for nine years between 1984 and 1993 and led the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada.
“He shaped our history. He got the big things right,” Trudeau said to reporters outside the church before going in. “He had a huge impact.”
The funeral follows four days of public tributes in Montreal and Ottawa during which political dignitaries and members of the public filed by Mulroney’s casket and paid their respects to his wife and four children.
“Every day of my life my dad told me that I was the greatest daughter that God put on this earth. Now we all know how much he liked hyperbole, but how lucky am I,” Caroline Mulroney, his daughter, said in her eulogy. “He gave me love, confidence and strength … we are heartbroken by our loss. We adored him. I miss you daddy.”
Mulroney was first elected in 1984 after winning the largest majority in Parliament in Canadian history, but he left almost a decade later with the lowest approval rating in Canadian history. His Progressive Conservative party suffered a devastating defeat just after he left office. But in the years after the loss, prime ministers sought his advice.
“Brian Mulroney chose to spend his political capital. He took risks and by doing so he became one of those rarest of leaders, able to define an era as his own,” former Quebec Premier Jean Charest said.
Most Introverts are happiest in work environments that don’t overwhelm or overstimulate them. These are easier to find now than they used to be, because of the expanding number of jobs that can be done wholly or partly from home. As an Introvert, you can now minimize your exposure to highly stressful workplaces and follow career paths that might have been challenging for you in the past.
With that in mind, here’s a list of career options where Introverts can find satisfying work. Some of these career possibilities may be new to you – which shows how the workplace is evolving more and more in the direction of the Introvert!
What are the best jobs for Introverts?
#1: Engineer
Engineers need to have an excellent grasp of science and mathematics but rarely need to have advanced socializing skills to thrive. Your focus will be on data analysis and problem-solving, and you’ll generally work on your own in quiet environments where you can concentrate on your duties and avoid energy-draining distractions.
Engineering is a diverse field that includes chemical, electrical, mechanical and civil engineering. As a minimum, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in engineering, although pursuing a master’s degree may enhance your career chances. As a trained engineer, your skills will remain universally useful, letting you dictate your terms of employment for as long as you continue to work in this field.
#2: Software Quality Assurance Analyst
As a software quality assurance analyst working independently, you’ll put your hard-earned knowledge of computer technology to work checking software programs for bugs, errors, inefficiencies, bottlenecks and other flaws that prevent them from functioning as they should. Introverts feel secure when they possess advanced skills they know will be useful to employers, and software quality assurance analysts have the type of skill package that will keep them in demand forever.
To become a software quality assurance analyst, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer programming or information technology. You should supplement this with online courses in software analysis, plus gain experience working as a computer programmer or in some other area of IT.
#3: Actuary
If you train as an actuary, you’ll be qualified to work in just about any area of the insurance industry. Your job will be to use statistical formulas to calculate risks and assess probable outcomes in relation to insurance risks and disasters. Actuaries usually have plenty of power to determine their own working conditions, either inside or outside the office. How, when and where you do your job largely will be left up to you.
In addition to having a bachelor’s degree in mathematics or actuarial science, you may have to study for and pass as many as 10 different exams to become a certified actuary. While your path won’t be easy, once you’ve succeeded you’ll remain a valuable and trusted employee wherever you go.
#4: Graphic Designer
Graphic designers use digital tools to create compelling visuals for marketing, public relations campaigns, magazine layouts, covers, brochures, advertisements, posters and other products. Creative Introverts will love having the ability to process ideas creatively while working in a way that suits them. Work conditions are ideal for Introverts since the job only requires a suitable computer with the right software and a private, quiet environment where the graphic designer can think, plan and create.
A bachelor’s degree in graphic design, plus additional self-directed study, should be enough to qualify you for work as a graphic designer.
#5: Counselor or Therapist
If you’re a people-oriented Introvert who enjoys the company of others most of the time, becoming a therapist or counselor might be just what the doctor ordered. Therapists must be active and careful listeners who enjoy the challenge of helping others gain deeper self-understanding – a skill that checks a lot of Introvert boxes. In counseling sessions, you’ll lead the conversation without having to reveal anything about yourself, focusing your social energies on people who need your expert assistance.
Therapists generally require a master’s degree to pursue their chosen career. But once you’ve achieved this goal, you’ll be fully qualified to set up a private practice or work for an institution that offers therapeutic services.
#6: Medical Laboratory Technician
Has the idea of being involved in medicine always thrilled you? If so, you may want to consider a career as a medical laboratory technician. In this role you’ll be asked to perform a variety of medical tests, which you’ll then analyze before passing the results along to patient care professionals (doctors and nurses).
As a medical technician, you’ll be around medicine but your work will be in the laboratory, rather than directly with patients. You won’t need to develop a bedside manner, just a thorough and professional attitude. It’s a position that rewards knowledge, diligence and dedication. The entry point is an associate’s degree in clinical laboratory science.
#7: Video and Film Editor
As a video and film editor, you’ll be able to indulge your creative instincts and work in an exciting industry while staying safely behind the scenes. You’ll need to be a stickler about meeting deadlines. But as long as you can do that, you’ll be given extraordinary leeway to work according to your own schedule. The hours can get quite long at times, but if you enjoy becoming deeply immersed in your projects, you likely won’t mind.
You may want to study video production in college to prepare for this career. However, you can certainly learn a lot about this topic through your own initiative.
#8: Paralegal
A huge number of Introverts are attracted to careers in the law due to the intellectual challenge it offers. If you may find the social demands of becoming a lawyer unappealing, another possibility is to become a paralegal.
Paralegals spend their days researching legal issues, preparing documents and performing other tasks to help lawyers carry out their duties. You may sometimes work closely with lawyers as they get ready for cases, but the social interactions in paralegal work are usually focused on professional matters exclusively. Standard preparation to enter the field is a bachelor’s degree in legal studies. But some paralegals start out with a specialized associate degree and work their way up from there.
#9: YouTuber
The number of people surviving on revenues from YouTube content creation videos has grown by leaps and bounds in just the past few years. People have discovered that you can monetize just about any hobby, and that if you create good and interesting content people with similar interests will find you.
If you’ve ever dreamed of making money as an independent entrepreneur, doing or talking about what you love, the time could be right to make the jump into YouTube content creation. Whether you like camping, rock climbing, collecting rare objects, antiquing, talking politics, traveling, living in your van full-time, or a thousand other fascinating activities, monetizing your passions on YouTube could be your ideal Introvert’s career choice.
Finding Your True Workplace Fit
Hundreds of career choices can be suitable for Introverts, and you have more opportunities to follow your inspiration now than you ever had before. This is thanks to the shift in labor patterns that will allow you to work from home or another peaceful environment if that is your preference. Career choices can also be customized to a far greater extent than they could a decade ago. It seems that the world of work is meeting Introverts where they are instead of forcing them to step outside their comfort zone to fit in – how will you take advantage?
People want to have faith in the products they buy, the people they employ, and the information they read. Having a good reputation is a big part of that trust. In the workplace, some professions are more reputable than others. A Gallup Poll gave a rating for 20 occupations in terms of honesty and ethical standards. More than 80 percent of people rated nurses as the professionals they trust most.
This isn’t the first-time nurses topped the poll—in fact, they’ve been consistently ranking at the top for 17 years. Medical professionals are trusted more across the board, Forbes reports. So, the next two most trusted professions are doctors and pharmacists, respectively. The poll asked people to rate all the professions as highly honest and ethical, average, low, or no opinion.
The next most trusted professionals are high school teachers, police officers, accountants, funeral directors, and members of the clergy. The following are journalists, building contractors, bankers, real estate agents, labor union leaders, and lawyers. At the bottom of the pack are business executives, stockbrokers, advertising practitioners, telemarketers, car salespeople, and members of Congress. Only 8 percent of people view car salespeople and members of Congress as honest and ethical.
Although the list changes from year to year, many professions like nurses are regular repeats. In fact, the only time nurses didn’t top this list since their 1999 addition was in 2001. Firefighters topped the list that year after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Pharmacists and clergy members were also frequently the most highly rated professionals for their ethics before 1999, per the poll. Some of these rankings make sense, while others might be a bit surprising.
America is facing a worker shortage crisis: There are too many open jobs without people to fill them. The interactive map below shows which states are suffering the most from a labor shortage by comparing their Worker Shortage Index ratios.
The 13 states most affected by labor shortages, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, are Alabama, Arkansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah and Vermont.
Contrast this with Texas, Texas has 89 available workers for every 100 open jobs, with 846,000 job openings and 609,845 unemployed workers. It falls into the “Least Severe” category in the Worker Shortage Index.
Other states, while growing, are losing out on the scarce labor resource to the states where the opportunities are easier and more plentiful.
Buying a car can be an exciting but daunting experience. Walking into a car dealership unprepared is like entering a maze without a map.
Your Budget
Before you step into a dealership, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of your budget. This isn’t just about how much you can spend on a car, but also how this purchase will affect your overall financial health.
Consider not only the price of the car but also the ongoing costs such as insurance, maintenance, fuel, and any financing charges if you’re taking out a loan.
Financing Options
Understand the financing options available to you. Dealerships often offer financing, but their rates may not be the best. Shop around for auto loans from banks or credit unions to compare rates.
Being pre-approved for a loan not only gives you an advantage in negotiations but also sets a clear budget for your purchase.
Your Needs vs. Your Wants
What do you need the car for? Commuting, long road trips, or just weekend drives? Your lifestyle will dictate the type of car that’s best for you. A compact car might be great for city living, but if you have a large family or love outdoor adventures, an SUV might be more appropriate.
It’s easy to get dazzled by the latest models with all the high-tech features. However, it’s crucial to differentiate between what you need and what you want. High-end features add to the cost, so prioritize what’s essential for your day-to-day use.
Market Research
Research different models, their features, and their prices. Websites and forums offer a wealth of information on everything from fuel efficiency to reliability and maintenance costs.
Compare models that meet your criteria. Look at similar models from various manufacturers and weigh their pros and cons. This comparison will give you a broader perspective and prevent you from making a decision based solely on brand loyalty or impulse.
Negotiation Tactics
Car prices are negotiable, and dealers expect some haggling. Your research will come in handy here as you’ll know the fair value of the car and can negotiate accordingly.
When negotiating, it’s best not to reveal how much you’re willing to spend or your preferred monthly payment. Focus on the total price of the car instead. This prevents the dealer from potentially structuring the deal in a way that seems appealing but is actually more expensive.
Looking to make a profit from extra space in your home? Scott McGillivray, renovator and host of Income Property on At Home with Family Handyman, shares his tips on what to consider when you’re thinking about it.
Check Your Local By-Laws
What are the legalities surrounding rental properties in the area? Can you legally create multiple units in a home?
Look for Natural Divisibility in a Home
Are there separate entrances for separate levels? Is there access to a basement? This makes it easier to begin the conversion to multiple units.
Get Multiple Estimates
Do your homework to have the work done legally and create a rental space you can be proud of.
Do the Math!
Look at comparable rentals in the area and make sure your investment will generate a desired/profitable return.
Plan it Out
Plan a design that adds to the overall value of the home.
Is there anyone in a senior role who – if they were being totally honest – would deny having ever experienced “imposter syndrome”. That feeling of being a fraud or a phoney, not worthy of a job title or status, and about to be “found out’, is very prevalent.
Originally thought of as a phenomenon only associated with high-achieving women, research now suggests it affects both men and women almost equally, with at least 70pc of us experiencing imposter syndrome at some point in our lives. In my experience, women just talk about it more.
The pitfalls of it
It doesn’t matter how great our actual achievements are, the self-doubt can be crippling to the point where feelings of inadequacy become self-fulfilling. Imposter syndrome causes us to downplay good results, obsess over our mistakes and work extra-long hours to prove ourselves – risking burnout and a low-esteem spiral.
I know the feeling well. I felt the very definition of an imposter when promoted to chief executive aged 35, with no business management experience or specific training.
One minute I was a successful fund manager, the next I was in charge of a business employing hundreds of people and managing £20bn of other people’s money. (In case you’re wondering, I took the job because I loved the company and recognized it was a great opportunity.) I figured, in that split-second moment of decision, at least I could learn fast.
Little did I know how difficult the first year would be – and how close I came to self-sabotaging that wonderful opportunity.
The reality
Since my appointment was unexpected, it’s perhaps unsurprising that I felt I really needed to earn credibility. I also felt constantly judged, with the harshest judging going on inside my own head.
The hardest thing was not to panic. But there was a moment I remember very clearly, sitting alone in my office, when I made a conscious decision that I was going to live up to the title and prove my doubters wrong (including myself).
The plan
The first step was to make a plan and list priorities. Second was to find supporters. I asked my allies for their thoughts and shut out the many siren voices who were suggesting the company change course. I believed in what the company offered: a distinct approach to investing that our clients valued and that needed nurturing, not changing.
I started to lead rather than look over my shoulder, and the business began to thrive. We were achieving strong investment performance, and more clients were trusting us with their money – quantifiable indicators that things were going well.
The fact is that people in all walks of life sometimes doubt their abilities and are concerned about being “found out”. This is part of the human condition. It becomes a problem when this feeling becomes debilitating, preventing us from getting on with things or leading us to focus merely on avoiding failure, rather than achieving success.
The focus
While I felt daunted as a new and unprepared chief executive, after that initial panic I didn’t allow those feelings to subsume me. I consciously focused my time and energy on the tasks immediately ahead rather than the vague goal of “being credible”.
Over time (and it can take time) the sense of being an imposter came to seem irrelevant – foolish, even.
My approach was to focus on the process, the day-to-day, rather than on some distant proof point. It’s a good mantra to have: the process not the goal. If you follow this, you will find that constructive daily actions ultimately lead to a strong performance – and you’ll achieve the goal.
But we are all different. There are other strategies that can also help:
Celebrate your “wins”, but accept that we all make mistakes
In fact, these so-called mistakes are often what help us grow and achieve more. When something goes wrong immediately ask yourself: what can I learn from this? How can I use the setback to improve?
Don’t allow negative thoughts to take hold
These unhelpful thoughts will inevitably arise, especially in moments of stress.
They have to be actively pushed out of your mind – tell yourself they are lies. Then counteract and replace them with positive assertions. Acknowledge the triumphs of reality over fear. You are good enough.
Make a decision ‘not to do’ imposter syndrome
Lorraine Candy, author of best-selling books including What’s Wrong with Me? says in Unravelling to Reinvention: A Midlife Memoir that she has “no time” for imposter syndrome and thinks we do ourselves a disservice by even letting it rear its head.
Candy describes imposter syndrome as “a stone in the shoe of smart women… because even if you don’t feel like an imposter, you think you should because this daft phrase exists”.
She hopes we can stamp out the expression before her two teenage daughters enter the workplace.
Consider sharing feelings of inadequacy with others
It can help you to realise we are not alone and that many people have the same experience however senior their job title or apparent high level of confidence.
Keep track of your actual performance
Write down achievements, tasks completed, lessons learned, struggles overcome.
I’m a big fan of Reformer Pilates, which is challenging even though I’ve been going to classes for over a decade. If there is an exercise that I find impossible one day, I work for improvement rather than seeing myself as failing.
Each new challenging position is how we progress. It is how we grow and gain flexibility (both mentally and physically).
And finally, remember that overcoming imposter syndrome is an ongoing process. Life provides us with plenty of challenges and opportunities. How we use these is what matters, and is the key to having a more successful, happier life – and career.
I had changed the perma-link settings in my blog recently and was shocked to discover that all previous articles with the old link were not available to view.
I have now reverted back to the old link which was indexing articles by date rather than title. My mistake!! I had believed that the change would make it easier to find an article, but just the opposite happened.
I apologize if you were caught up in a search debacle and ask that you contact me if you have a problem with my site.
Thank You.
DH
Update March 25, 2024
It has taken way longer than I had hoped to correct my websites issues. Know that I am working hard to get each post up to the various webmaster’s requirements. Have patience please as I continue to work through each issue.
Sending a thank you letter after an event is an excellent way to retain the loyalty of existing attendees and encourage them to come to the next event you host. Ensuring recipients feel valued may also help you increase your attendance in the future since valued guests are more likely to tell their friends, family members and colleagues about your next event.
