Have you or someone you know lost a job due to age discrimination. While this is not easy to prove in court, a recent survey by AARP of people over 40 found 64% reporting they have experienced or seen age discrimination. 92% say it is common.
While many people find another job, “more than one-third of older workers are not confident that they would find another job right away without having to take a pay cut or move (37%). Of this number, one in five (19%) say the reason they are not confident is due to age discrimination, while 21 percent attribute their lack of confidence because they feel limited in some way because of their age.”
In writing The Best Home Businesses for People over 50, we interviewed over hundreds people who started their own businesses. Overwhelmingly they reported that they consider their age an advantage as this communicates experience. In fact, we know women who are allowing their hair to grow in gray.
While becoming self-employed presents challenges, it offers the flexibility to control your time and to produce income proportionate to one’s choice of how to make money and the effort one can put into it.
If you’re over 40 and exploring working for yourself as an option, many sources of help are available from SCORE and SBDC programs in many communities. You can also contact me (Paul) directly. I offer coaching through Google Helpouts and as a SBDC consultant.
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