Women over 50 face significant challenges in the job market, often feeling a “double penalty.” Sylvie, a former advertising professional from Toulouse, transitioned to real estate after seeking financial independence. Despite initial hurdles in her career shift, she found success as an independent agent with IAD, embracing the freedom of working on commission. Sylvie encourages others to embrace uncertainty in their career paths, emphasizing that key insights will emerge along the way.
The Challenges of Being a Woman Over 50 in the Job Market
Being a woman over 50 can feel like facing a “double penalty” in today’s employment landscape. This sentiment is echoed by Sylvie, a spirited woman from Toulouse now in her sixties. After dedicating 25 years to the advertising industry, initially as an employee and later as the owner of her own agency, she sought a career change around a decade ago. “Advertising was a job I was passionate about. I loved every moment, but I felt I had reached the pinnacle of what I could achieve,” Sylvie reflects.
However, breaking into the job market at 50 proved to be a daunting task. “While my husband’s career was thriving, I craved financial independence. I didn’t want to be labeled as just ‘the wife of Mr.,'” she explains, highlighting her desire for self-sufficiency.
Finding a New Path in Real Estate
Initially, Sylvie explored commercial franchising with a company that offered outsourced employee committee solutions for SMEs. Unfortunately, she soon encountered a challenging work dynamic and realized, “At 50, I refuse to work under someone like that.” Sylvie knew she wanted to return to being self-employed, similar to her previous role in advertising. “I dabbled in creating handbags and upcycling vintage furniture, but it didn’t fulfill me completely,” she admits. After some self-reflection, she decided to pursue her long-standing interest in real estate, inspired perhaps by her father’s career as an architect.
Through a former colleague, Sylvie discovered IAD, a network of independent real estate agents that provided the independence she desired. “This opportunity allows me to be my own boss, manage my schedule, and find the right balance between my professional and personal life,” she shares. Although Sylvie was new to real estate, the mentorship program offered by IAD helped her navigate the transition smoothly.
With determination, Sylvie immersed herself in the real estate world, quickly achieving her first sale. “A friend entrusted me with the sales mandate for her property,” she recalls. With her background in advertising, she was accustomed to high standards in presentation, which served her well in her new career. “I leveraged my connections, and soon enough, other sales mandates started coming in,” she confides.
As an independent real estate agent, Sylvie operates on a commission basis rather than a fixed salary, which she finds liberating. “I’m compensated based on my performance, without any glass ceiling limiting my potential.” With a monthly net income ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 euros, she feels she is thriving in her new role. “I’m doing significantly better than I ever did in advertising; I only wish I had made the switch sooner,” Sylvie reflects.
For those contemplating a career shift, Sylvie offers valuable advice: “Don’t shy away from the unknown; it’s never the perfect time. I once attended a management seminar where adventurer Mike Horn shared a profound insight: ‘To make a decision, you only need answers to 5% of your questions. The other 95% will reveal themselves along the journey.’ That resonated deeply with me.”