How Stuart navigated a changing job market in his 50s

Stepping away from a 40 year career in project management was the right decision, but it wasn’t an easy one. As someone in his 50s with decades of experience behind him, Stuart was finding it difficult to navigate a job market that had changed significantly since he last looked for work. Alongside managing his health, he was also going through a divorce, as well as making care arrangements for his mother who was diagnosed with dementia, which added to the challenges he was facing and had a significant impact on his confidence and wellbeing.

Determined to get back into work, Stuart turned to the WorkWell programme for support.

Once signed up, he started joining wellness sessions, supported by his work coach, Shuping Lui. Stuart’s aim was to build up his confidence and manage feelings of anxiety. He wanted to work and was focused on moving back into a job. When the time was right, he started joining 1:1 sessions with a work coach. Stuart also knew that workplaces continue to evolve, with AI playing a big part, and embraced digital learning opportunities to widen his knowledge.

Soon, Stuart was in a better place and ready to start the job-hunting process. Each week, he came away with an action plan to set out what he wanted to achieve and when. At the same time, he was getting valuable interview practice and job searching tips from his work coach. Being responsible and accountable for his future helped motivate Stuart to keep going, and see what was possible. “These action plans provided me with an incentive to do something in between our calls and to explain what I had done and what worked for me.”

All of Stuart’s experience, enthusiasm and motivation paid off. He secured a contract as a project manager in a highly regulated industry, his first paid job in over a year.

Talking about his time with Work Well, Stuart says “This is personalised for me. It wasn’t something that was taken off the shelf. I am in my 50s, not new to the job market. I felt that this took me from where I am in my career.”

Despite facing health challenges and spending time out of work, Stuart was able to regain his confidence, adapt to a changing job market and secure a new role. His experience, resilience and willingness to learn proves that age should not be a factor for employers and people in their 50’s and older should not feel written off.

Today, Stuart is confident about his future – and looking forward to seeing where the next few years take him.

Find out more about our WorkWell programme in London.