Looking for a new job in your 40s, 50s and beyond isn’t always easy. Whether you’re returning to work after taking time off to raise kids or pivoting into a new field, there’s a chance you may encounter obstacles. You may face age-related discrimination, a dearth of upper-level positions, or simply a lack of confidence—especially if you’ve been out of the workplace for a while.
In this episode, I chat with inspirational leadership coach Cigdem Gencer about why many of us run into career roadblocks during this life stage, just as we should be hitting our peak stride. We discuss why some women find themselves with a newfound energy and enthusiasm for their careers in midlife, and how our age group represents an enormous pool of talent that companies are finally starting to tap into. We talk about how focusing on feminine “empowerment” in the workplace isn’t enough; we also need to instill systemic change in order to see more gender equality in the workplace. Plus, if you’re looking to change things up in your career, we break down the steps you can take to set yourself up for your next act.
This career-changing conversation will reveal that landing your dream job is totally possible, at any age. It’s never too late to return, pivot, change or branch out. Hear that, ladies? Never. Too. Late. So tune in now!
Cigdem Gencer, founder of Fazilet Consulting, is an inspirational leadership coach with extensive experience and demonstrated success in coaching and guiding tomorrow’s leaders. She has coached professionals in all career stages and has personally built high-performing international teams that have answered the call on every level—strategically, financially and competitively. Prior to founding Fazilet Consulting, Cigdem held progressive roles at Wells Fargo over 17 years of leadership across a wide array of businesses and functions, including CFO of wealth management and head of international HR. Prior to that, she was the CFO at Intrax Cultural Exchange, an international, cultural and educational exchange company. Her early career includes executive roles at a B2B startup (ADPM) and a decade of management consulting with First Manhattan Consulting Group and Mitchell Madison Group, where she helped establish the Madrid office. Cigdem holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business, a bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard University, and a patent in analytic methodologies. She currently serves as the vice chair of the board of directors of the SF-Marin Food Bank. She may be reached at Cigdem@faziletconsulting.com, or on LinkedIn.
