Queenager Careers: No! You are NOT on the scrapheap try our January Noon Jobs Board

Looking for a new job, over 50? Help is at hand!

Dear Queenagers, 

I hope your January has not been too dark and gloomy – and if you are looking for a new job then help is at hand in the form of the Noon January Jobs board. I know how daunting it can feel to make a mid-life pivot – either into finding a new job in your existing field, or branching out into something new –but we are here to help. Remember all the vacant positions on our site are there because the companies advertising them are actively seeking older, experienced workers – this way you aren’t battling the ageism in our society! And I’ve used a picture of one of my all time favourite Queenagers in the work place, the incredible Hannah Waddingham from Ted Lasso - brilliant, humane, sassy, fun - she gives older female workers an icon to look up to!

As well as Hannah, I am a big fan of an American gendered-ageism campaigner called Bonnie Marcus; in a recent article she highlighted all the self-limiting beliefs which can hold us Queenagers back. This is my take on some of her suggestions so you don’t fall into any of these traps! 

1.        “I’m too old to get promoted”: nonsense Queenagers are in their prime when it comes to careers, this is our moment. The average age of a female CEO is 56, three quarters of the latest list of World’s Most powerful Women were over 50.... you are not too old and it is not too late. Don’t talk yourself down! 

2.        “I’m too old to compete with younger peers” : if you don’t try you will never know – give it your best shot and you might be amazed by what you can do, particularly if you equip yourself with some whizzy new tech skills – start checking out how AI can help. Even it its just ChatGPT on your browser, or trying out some of the brilliant transcription devices such as OtterAI which record conversations and turn them into print... you can do it. Youtube tutorials are your friend

3.        “I’m no longer attractive”: I love Bonnie’s response on this which goes “It’s your choice, you can fight to look younger for the rest of your life or you can learn to love and accept yourself as your are now”. God I love that. The beauty game at this point is the law of diminishing returns. Don’t sweat it. Maybe invest in some cheerful accessories or bright coloured clothes. Be yourself and be proud of it. One of the great things about being a Queenager is giving up having to be ‘pleasing’ both physically and emotionally. Embrace your power in the here and now - you don’t need to look young to succeed 

4.        “I’m irrelevant”: Bonnie says ‘you matter, you are relevant, you have opinions and ideas” -I would add, you are part of a hugely important consumer demographic, Queenagers are behind over 90% of ALL household consumer spending decisions. You have power – tell your prospective employer all about why Queenagers matter as consumers and why they need to hire some to understand this lucrative demographic! 

5.          “I’ll never get another job.. I’m on the scrapheap” - you won’t get another job if you think like that. Positive thinking leads to positive outcomes, corny but true 

6.        “I’m terrified of ageing” -well it’s better than the alternative! A friend of mine just died aged 54. It’s better to be wrinkly and still here... 

Hope some of that was helpful! I went on Bonnie’s podcast if you’d like to listen here is the link! Badass Women at Any Age: Meet The Queenagers with Eleanor Mills on Apple Podcasts 

Anyway back to the this month’s job opportunities. Our featured partner is the global ad agency Dentsu this month. They are looking to find Digital Assistants and are particularly interested in midlife Queenager career changers who can start in the next few weeks - so this will be a quick process. This opportunity is perfect for marketeers who have taken a career break and want to brush up their digital skills, or Queenagers wanting to get into advertising for the first time.   

The opportunity includes enrolment into their digital academy  to initially learn about Dentsu the business,  learn on the job, get experience of digital marketing and identify their own strengths in this area. It’s a bit like a paid apprenticeship. There are roles available in Stafford  

 Manchester and Edinburgh 

We know that flexibiity is 16 times more important to you Queenagers than status from our research. Flexibility helps with caring responsibilities, health issues or just frees us up to be able to do the things we want/need to do.  Flexible options include working with customers for Nat West (they are looking for people in their branches in the north, from Yorkshire to Glasgow serach roles HERE) or on the waterways and rivers volunteering with The Canal and River Trust   

Or how about super flexible work week as a fundraiser? Midlifers are the very best at it, according to The Fundraising Partnership, who have opportunities across the country. Jobs Listed HERE. (And we LOVE the Fundraising partnership, they just did an hour long YouTube video all about how brilliant Queenagers are at raising money, with lots about me and Noon and the Queenager project, check it out!  

 

And of course there are loads of other jobs just waiting for you on the Noon Jobs Board just click this Find the job that's right for you - Noon. 

Good luck and see you soon 

Eleanor