Starting A New Job The Week Before You Turn 60

Summary

The author reflects on starting a new job at age 59, just before turning 60, discussing the experience with a mix of nostalgia, confidence, and humor.

Abstract

As the author approaches their 60th birthday, they begin a new job, marking a significant transition in their career. Despite previous easy job acquisitions, the author faced rejections this time around, yet they approach the new role with a surprising lack of fear. The job entails a different role within their field, and although there's an area where the author lacks practical experience, they are confident in their ability to learn and adapt. The author notes the unusual circumstances of starting a job during the coronavirus pandemic, with many colleagues working remotely and the necessity of masks in the office. They express a carefree attitude towards appearance and a positive outlook on forming new workplace relationships. The author is enjoying the process, finding humor in potential mishaps, and is optimistic about the impact they can make in their new role. They also commend employers who value the experience of older employees.

Opinions

The author is not concerned with the conventional wisdom of listicles or the expectations of writing a certain number of lessons learned by a milestone age.
They are confident in their ability to learn and are not intimidated by areas where they lack experience, already planning to use learning hacks to overcome initial insecurities.
The author values self-expression and personal comfort over conforming to traditional workplace aesthetics, choosing to dress for themselves.
They expect to be well-liked and are open to being both a good co-worker and a friend, while also respecting those who prefer to keep work and personal life separate.
The author finds the experience of starting a new job at this stage in life to be fun and is optimistic about the future, despite acknowledging that mistakes are likely.
They appreciate employers who recognize the value of hiring older workers, believing that their experience can benefit the company with less associated stress.

Happy birthday to me

So I turn 60 on Sunday and this Monday I started a new job.

I know I’m supposed to write a “Sixty Things I Have Learned By 60,” in honor of my birthday, but I understand listicles are out. Yeah, we know they aren’t, and I hope that having the number “60” in my title grabbed your attention. I know I am supposed to use three or five, but since child labor is most definitely out (unless you are a parent of kids those ages), so it just doesn’t work.

I have had a lot of jobs in my life, but I’m truly a long-termer. Thirteen years is my norm. OK, that is only the length I have been at two jobs, but combined, that’s longer than many of you have lived. Adding up the number all of my jobs — starting with babysitting at 12 — well, I just won’t. That’s math no one’s paying me to do. But there have still been a lot — more than average.

But this job I have started at age 59. It has been a different experience than starting other jobs. There were all the rejections I got before finally finding something. Previously I got almost any position for which I interviewed. Those days are over, I guess.

The main thing is my lack of fear. Everyone was asking me last week if I was nervous. I wasn’t. I’ve always been worried about everything. On the first day of school for 16 years, I had a stomach ache. And that short time, I worked on my MBA before getting transferred with my job.

I kept thinking the nerves would come. They never did. It was fun walking into the building as though a new adventure was beginning.

The job I will be doing is in my field, but a different role than I have had before. I had been concerned when I read the job description because there was a significant area of which I have some knowledge but no practical experience. I’m over the insecurity already. I know how to learn. I enjoy learning, Plus I now know the hacks I can use until I learn it.

There are about a hundred people in my office, but I haven’t met most due to the coronavirus. About half work in the office each day and at home for the rest of the time. Of those I have met, there will be no identifying them in a lineup. Not that I believe I will need to, but masks usually cover their faces. And mine. They probably think I am wearing lipstick.

And that lipstick reminds me. I don’t care how I look. I don’t want to look bad, but I figure no one’s spending any time thinking about it. I’m enjoying getting dressed for work. I dress for me.

I also expect people to like me. Why wouldn’t they? I’ll be a good co-worker to them and a great friend unless they’re the type who doesn’t want their co-workers to be friends. I won’t ever understand that, but I certainly respect it. If they don’t like me, they are missing out on a lot more fun in their workday. Bless their hearts.

Most of all, this time, starting a new job is fun. With almost every job I have had, I had those times when I wonder, “What have I done?” Oh, that’s happening now, too, but I am laughing as I think it. It’s only been two days, but two days of happiness.

Most of it is due to knowing I could make an extensive list of things that could go wrong, but also knowing I could solve most problems.

I’m confident in myself, even if that confidence is that I am sure to screw things up along the way. Nothing I do should end anyone’s life, but I may be able to make some lives better.

I’m feeling good starting a new job during this last week of my 59th year. I anticipate it will get even better at 60.

And yay to employers who hire people my age and treat us as assets. They will get their money’s worth, with a bit less angst.

A few other related articles, in case you’re interested.

Starting A New Job The Week Before You Turn 60

Happy birthday to me

Flying High Over The Obstacles

On the job market over age 50

Bungling The Job Interview

And working your way to recovery

When Did I Get Old?

I Thought I Was Just Experienced