The Midlife Academy Director Dr. Kate Schaefers was a featured panelist for Indeed’s Job Search Academy webinar, "Launching a New Career at Any Stage." Joined by Felicia Brown (AARP) and Kenneth Johnson (East Coast Executives), and hosted by Matt Burnt (Indeed), Kate shared her expertise on the "active aging" movement and the necessity of lifelong learning. The conversation, a collaboration between Indeed and AARP, focused on equipping seasoned professionals with the digital tools and psychological resilience needed to confidently pivot careers, bridge employment gaps and combat ageism by showcasing fresh, relevant skills.
During the session, the panel broke down a high-impact playbook for the "second half of life" career:
The "Upside-Down Triangle" Resume: Focus heavily on recent achievements and impact statements. As you go further back, provide less detail, ensuring every line of your resume serves a specific, intentional purpose for the role you want now.
Targeting Flexible Roles: When pursuing remote or hybrid opportunities, the experts advise vetting the company culture during the interview. Ask intentional questions about how they support remote collaboration and digital inclusion. Proving you are "tech-ready" by acing the virtual interview — complete with professional lighting and a clear "camera-on" presence — signals to employers that you can lead effectively from anywhere.
Vigilance Against Scams: The panel highlighted the rise of sophisticated job scams targeting older workers. The rule is simple: slow down, trust your intuition and verify every "too good to be true" offer through independent research before sharing personal data.
