So who goes to these things anyway?
Research from the 2008 MetLife Foundation/Civic Ventures Encore Career Survey confirms that half of those 44 to 70 who are not yet in Encore Careers want to be. That is in addition to the 8 million (or so) Boomers who have already embraced the Encore Career ethic and retired back in to the workforce.
What are people looking for in an Encore Career?
When it comes right down to it, we all want work that reflects our highest and best selves, work that allows us to make a real impact on the people and the world around us.
Those who are embarking on an Encore Career are in a great position to make this dream a reality. They have experience, drive, and imagination. They bring a lifetime of knowledge to their work, and they know how to get things done.
They want to stay active, to be productive, to overcome challenges, and to continue learning. More than that though, they want to align their values and their work. They want to work towards a purpose, not just a paycheck.
What are people looking for in an Encore Career? In a nutshell, they're looking to define their legacy.
People looking to design their Encore Careers have a number of concerns1...
These concerns include:
Let's examine these concerns one at a time.
Many people considering an Encore Career have been with the same company, or in the same field, for decades. They are highly successful individuals, and they haven't had to "look for a job" for a long time. They're anxious about finding the right job, and unsure about how to position themselves to get that job.
At ENCORE Career Workshops, we teach people to access and activate their hidden networks, and show them how to leverage the skills they currently possess to move into any field they desire. We don't pretend to re-invent the wheel here. We preach the gospel according to Richard Bolles, the best selling (10,000,000+ copies) author of the "What Color is Your Parachute" series of books. In fact, Dick is currently on the schedule to act as Keynote Speaker and Leader at our Kauai workshop!
While 59% of those in ENCORE Careers work 40 hours per week (or more!), three quarters (73%) say they have the flexibility that they need and want, and more (85%) say they have the time to do the things outside of work that are important to them.
During an ENCORE Career Workshop, you will define your own ideal schedule, balancing work along with family and other interests. This way you can enter your new career with ALL of your priorites in alignment.
Extra income and access to healthcare are primary motivators for many people seeking to work after "retirement". However, when considering an ENCORE Career, people often wonder where they can find the place where income and meaning come together.
As you go through the ENCORE Career Workshop, you will define how much money you need, how much money you want, what benefits (and perks) are important to you, and what level of responsibility you are seeking.
While nearly half of those considering ENCORE Careers fear they will encounter age discrimination, only 15% of those currently engaged in Encore Careers report having experienced this.
I personally think that 15% is too high a number, but even in 2008 there are still many bigots (of all stripes) out there. The good news is, by working through the ENCORE Career Workshop, you will see (and position) yourself as a valuable resource that the right organization would be thrilled to have on board, not someone who is coming hat in hand "looking for a job".
Need for Retraining / Further Education:
This is a valid concern. Approximately 4 in 10 people active in ENCORE Careers report having needed to learn a new technology or skill, or have needed to go back to school for certification.
I see this as validation that people are challenging themselves and embracing the value of continual learning. If you leave one career just to go back and do the same thing, of course you don't need any new training. But if you want to stretch, to grow, to really do something new, then yes, the reality is that there may be some training or school or certification involved. During the ENCORE Career Workshop we will work with you to determine what training might be required for your ENCORE.
Getting Used to Less Status and Seniority:
Another valid concern, no doubt. After decades in the same industry, ENCORE Career Institute students are frequently very senior people in their respective organizations. Along with seniority comes a certain status as well. People defer to you and give extra weight to your opinions (and rightly so - you've earned it!). So how do you deal with the potential loss of that status?
The first thing our participants need to come to terms with is the level of position they actually want. With seniority comes a great deal of responsibility. Some people thrive on this, and will settle for nothing less. For them, starting a new business or social entrepreneurship venture often makes the most sense. For others, the "burden of the crown" is something they are eager to relieve themselves of. Not being at the top of the organization is a lot easier to swallow for some when they leave work at 2:00 to pick up their grandchildren and head out to the beach for the afternoon...
Here's the thing...
There are challenges associated with embarking on an ENCORE Career, and I for one am thankful for them. It is the challenge that makes it worth doing. We help you meet those challenges head on and overcome them!
The vast majority of people in Encore Careers report tremendous satisfaction from the work they are doing. They also report seeing the positive results of their efforts. Because people who are interested in ENCORE Careers aren't just in it to make a buck, they are in it to make a difference.
If you want to do the work it takes to launch your ENCORE Career, visit the schedule section of our website and pick out the workshop that works out best for you. If you have any questions, about ENCORE Careers in general, or about an ENCORE Career Workshop in particular, write to me directly. I answer all e-mail personally.
Alternatively, give us a call at (800) 301-9985 and we'll be happy to answer all of your questions!
1Statistics in this section were taken from the "Encore Career Survey 2008", an amazing piece of work done by the MetLife Foundation and Civic Ventures.
"Joel is one of those people you MUST have on your team.
Given his range of business and personal skills he can relate effectively with all levels within the organization.
Joel can manage a project, guide a career or launch a business venture. I look to Joel for advice as I move my growing business forward and develop my ENCORE career plan.
Simply put, Joel DELIVERS."
~William Szekeley
Boston, Massachusetts
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