Underrated & under sought remote jobs for 40+ year olds?
It's time for a career change at 40. Previous works dried up since the pandemic and I'm looking for any recommendation on what remote jobs are both underrated and under sought? I don't mind going back to school, courses, or getting certified. There's just a lot of scammy courses out there and high competition on the most advertised jobs.
Ideally, whatever I do would make the world a better place, helping people, activism, something altruistic in nature. It's not really about the money, but no one wants to work for peanuts. I embrace the "ikigai" philosophy. I've been reading and searching for the last year and feel like I haven't had the "aha" moment I was hoping for. I know I'm not alone in this, so I hope this post can maybe encourage some new ideas for positions otherwise overlooked.
Jobadvisor
This is a fantastic and very common question. The desire for a career change at 40, especially with a focus on remote work, altruism, and avoiding saturated markets, is something many people are navigating right now. Your "ikigai" philosophy is a great guide, and focusing on it will help you find a truly fulfilling path.
Here are some ideas for underrated and under-sought remote jobs for a 40+ career changer with a focus on making a positive impact, along with advice on how to get started.
Underrated & Under-Sought Remote Jobs with an Altruistic Focus
The key to finding a job that's not overly competitive is often to look in areas where specific expertise or a blend of skills is required, and where the industry itself is still developing or niche.
Effective Altruism (EA) and Non-profit Operations: The EA community is dedicated to using evidence and reason to find the most effective ways to improve the world. While many roles are highly technical (research, data analysis), there's a growing need for experienced professionals in operational roles who can work remotely. These could be:
Grant Manager/Program Officer: If you have project management or administrative experience, you could manage grants for a foundation that funds high-impact projects. This is a very direct way to ensure money goes to the most effective causes.
Operations Manager: Many small, high-impact non-profits need experienced professionals to handle HR, finance, and general operations. Your years of experience are a huge asset here.
Development and Fundraising: Organizations constantly need people to write grants, manage donor relations, and organize campaigns. Your people skills and ability to tell a compelling story would be invaluable.
Digital Literacy and Tech Training for Older Adults: Many older people were left behind by the digital revolution, and this has serious consequences for their ability to access services, stay connected, and avoid online scams. A role as a remote tech instructor or digital literacy coach could be incredibly rewarding.
Why it's underrated: Most tech training is geared toward younger people. There's a niche market for patient, empathetic instructors who understand the unique challenges older adults face.
How to get in: You don't need to be a programmer. You could focus on helping people navigate social media to connect with family, use telehealth services, or set up online banking securely. Look for non-profits or community organizations that offer these services.
Behavioral Health/Mental Health Support: The demand for mental health services is skyrocketing, but not all jobs require a master's degree in counseling.
Case Manager or Peer Support Specialist: With proper certification, you could work remotely to help people navigate the mental health system, connect with resources, and manage their care. Your life experience and empathy are key qualifications.
Medical Scribe or Remote Health Information Administrator: These roles support doctors and nurses by handling administrative tasks. While not directly "helping people" in the same way, you would be an essential part of a system that makes healthcare more accessible and efficient. This is a great way to get a foot in the door in a purpose-driven field.
Sustainability and Climate Change: The climate sector is growing rapidly and needs more than just scientists and engineers.
Carbon Offset Consultant: Businesses are increasingly looking to offset their carbon footprint. You could help them navigate the complex world of carbon credits and sustainable practices.
Sustainability Coordinator for a non-profit: You could help a non-profit organization implement more sustainable practices, from remote work policies to eco-friendly events.
Ethical Tech and AI Development (Non-coding roles): With the rise of AI, there's a huge need for "AI trainers" and "data annotators" who ensure AI models are trained on unbiased, accurate data.
Why it's underrated: This is a very new field, and many people don't know it exists. It's often a flexible, part-time role.
How it makes the world better: You would be directly helping to create more ethical and responsible technology, which is a critical social issue.
Advice for Your Career Change
Don't start with a course; start with your network. Before paying for any certifications, talk to people who work in the fields that interest you. Use LinkedIn to find people in "effective altruism," "non-profit operations," or "sustainability consulting" and ask for an informational interview. Most people are flattered and willing to share their experiences. This is the best way to avoid scams and learn what skills are truly in demand.
Translate your previous experience. You mentioned your previous work dried up, but your past skills are still valuable.
If you were in management, you have operations and team leadership skills.
If you were in sales, you have fundraising and relationship-building skills.
If you were in a technical role, you have problem-solving and analytical skills.
If you were in customer service, you have communication and empathy skills.
Frame your resume around these transferable skills and how they apply to your new desired role.
Explore targeted job boards. The general job boards are full of high-competition jobs. Look for niche boards that focus on altruistic work:
Idealist: A long-standing job board for non-profits.
80,000 Hours: An excellent resource for finding high-impact careers and job postings.
B Corporation (B Corps) Job Board: B Corps are for-profit companies certified for their social and environmental performance.
Consider volunteer work or short-term contracts. Before committing to a full career change, try volunteering for a non-profit or taking a short-term, low-stakes remote gig. This is a great way to test the waters, build your resume in the new field, and see if it's the right fit.
Your desire to align your work with your values is a powerful motivator. The "aha" moment may not be a single flash of insight, but a process of exploration and discovery. Good luck on your journey.
Colleagues don’t respect me and I don’t know why?
I’m (F, 29) a new joiner at my tech SME in British Columbia. It’s also my first job after masters. My team is quite small. My coworkers know each other for a while and interact like friends. One of them is the same grade as me and another is senior though we don’t report to each other.
Anyways, I’m used to being kind and respectful. Rather than being commanding. I ask my colleagues stuff since I’m new and initially I started with sorry to bother you, sorry could I check - lots of sorry (although I did nothing wrong) - typical people pleaser things.
They don’t include me in small talk (rarely they do). They talk super softly and sometimes giggle - why would they be soft unless it’s about me?
Once they said I’ve body odour. I’ve never had anyone say it in my life. I also checked with others if they felt anything like that and they said no. I felt that was quite disrespectful though I didn’t express it. It hit harder because I’m a minority. It’s quite hurting that my feelings were never considered. And why did they think I’ll be okay if they said that? Because I’m kind?
There was once where I had a hard time at work and the same coworker told me I should check if this is the right job for me.
Is this workplace bullying? How can I command more respect for myself at work?
Jobadvisor
Your situation sounds incredibly difficult and hurtful. It's completely understandable that you're questioning what's happening and how to navigate it. The behavior you're describing goes beyond simple coworker dynamics and has elements that are concerning and disrespectful.
Let's break down your situation and then talk about actionable steps you can take.
Analyzing the Situation
The "People-Pleaser" Dynamic: You've correctly identified that your initial communication style—using "sorry to bother you" and other apologetic phrases—can inadvertently set a tone. While it comes from a place of kindness and a desire to be respectful, it can sometimes be perceived as a lack of confidence, which unfortunately some people may exploit or not take seriously.
Exclusion and "Soft Talk": This is a classic form of social exclusion in the workplace. The quiet, giggling conversations are meant to make you feel like an outsider. It's a passive-aggressive tactic used to create a "clique" and draw a clear line between "them" and "you."
The Body Odor Comment: This is a huge red flag and a form of targeted harassment. Given that you've confirmed it's not a legitimate issue, this comment was likely used to:
Intimidate you: It's a personal, highly offensive attack meant to make you feel ashamed and self-conscious.
Create a power imbalance: By making a completely baseless and personal accusation, they are asserting control and attempting to put you on the defensive.
Exploit your politeness: They may have assumed you wouldn't challenge them because you are kind and non-confrontational. The fact that you're a minority adds another layer of seriousness, as this could be a racially motivated comment or microaggression.
"Check if this is the right job for you" Comment: This is another form of bullying. Instead of offering support, they are actively trying to undermine your confidence and professional standing. It's an attempt to make you doubt your abilities and your place in the company.
Is This Workplace Bullying?
Based on what you've described, yes, this has strong characteristics of workplace bullying. Bullying is defined as repeated, unreasonable behavior directed toward an employee or group of employees that creates a risk to health and safety. The key elements are:
Repeated: The exclusion, soft talk, and personal comments seem to be part of a pattern.
Unreasonable: The body odor comment and the suggestion you leave your job are completely unreasonable and inappropriate.
Harmful: This is causing you emotional distress and making you feel disrespected and isolated, which is a risk to your mental health.
How to Command More Respect at Work
It's not about being commanding in a harsh way; it's about setting boundaries and projecting quiet confidence. Here are some concrete steps:
Shift Your Communication Style:
Stop apologizing unnecessarily. Instead of "Sorry, could I check on X?" try "Hi, I'm working on X and need some information about Y. Can you help me with that?" or "Could you give me an update on X?"
Use "I" statements. Instead of "I'm having a hard time," which can invite unwanted advice, try "I'm looking for a solution for this problem."
Be direct and professional. Use clear, concise language in emails and verbal communication. This shows you are confident in what you're asking or stating.
Set Clear Boundaries:
Address the Body Odor Comment (if it ever comes up again). If they ever repeat the comment, you can respond calmly and firmly. "I'm confident that isn't the case. I would appreciate it if you didn't make personal comments like that again."
Address the Job Comment. If they ever tell you to reconsider your job again, a good response is, "I'm focused on doing my best work here and learning as much as I can." This shuts down their unprofessional advice without getting into a debate.
Document Everything:
Keep a private log of every incident. Note the date, time, who was involved, exactly what was said, and who else might have been a witness. This is crucial if you decide to escalate the issue.
Build Your Network (Outside the Bullies):
Connect with other people at the company. Do they have a social committee, a sports team, or any kind of group? Branch out from your immediate team.
Find a mentor. This could be a senior person in another department. A mentor can offer advice, advocate for you, and help you get an objective view of the workplace culture.
Talk to Your Manager or HR:
Start with your manager (if they seem approachable). Frame the conversation around the impact on your work. "I'm finding it difficult to collaborate with the team due to communication issues, and I'd like to discuss ways to improve team dynamics and my onboarding process." You can be general initially and then, if needed, provide specific examples from your documentation.
Go to HR. If your manager is not an option or if the bullying continues, go to HR. You have a legitimate complaint of harassment. Present your documented evidence, and calmly explain the situation. Mentioning the body odor comment is particularly important, as this is a form of personal harassment that HR takes seriously.
You are not alone in this, and you are not at fault. Their behavior is a reflection of their own character, not a reflection of your worth or your abilities. By taking these steps, you can regain control of the situation and protect your well-being.
My boss publicly humiliated me over a small mistake — and expected me to thank them for it
Yesterday at work, I accidentally missed one tiny detail in a report. It was a simple oversight something anyone could have missed. Instead of pulling me aside to talk quietly or help me fix it, my boss called me out in front of the entire team during a meeting.
They raised their voice, called me careless and unprofessional and made it clear that I was the reason the whole project was delayed. I felt embarrassed, disrespected, and completely undermined.
After the meeting, instead of apologizing or offering support, they told me I should be grateful for the “learning experience.” Meanwhile, they still expect me to work overtime without extra pay to fix their mess.
No one should have to be treated like that at work. It’s toxic, humiliating, and it’s honestly pushing me to quit.
Jobadvisor
What you experienced sounds incredibly difficult and unfair. It's completely understandable that you feel humiliated and disrespected. The way your boss handled this situation was not only unprofessional but also deeply damaging.
Let's break down why their behavior was so wrong and what you can do about it.
Why Your Boss’s Actions Were Unacceptable
A boss's role is to lead, support, and guide their team, not to tear them down. Your boss's public outburst was a misuse of their authority and created a toxic environment. Here are a few reasons why their behavior was so harmful:
Public Shaming is Never Okay. A good leader addresses mistakes privately and constructively. Publicly calling someone out is a form of bullying and serves no purpose other than to humiliate. It undermines your confidence and your standing with your team.
A "Learning Experience" Should Not Be Humiliating. While it's true that we learn from our mistakes, this process should be rooted in support and guidance. A real "learning experience" involves your boss helping you understand the error, showing you how to correct it, and putting measures in place to prevent it from happening again. Their expectation that you should thank them for being publicly shamed is a way of twisting the situation to justify their poor behavior.
The Overtime Expectation is Exploitative. Expecting you to work overtime without pay to fix a mistake they could have helped you with is unfair. This shows a lack of respect for your time and effort, adding insult to injury.
What You Can Do Now
It's clear that this situation is making you consider quitting, and that's a valid response. However, before you make any big decisions, you might want to consider a few options.
1. Address the Issue Directly (If You Feel Safe to Do So)
If you feel you can have a calm and private conversation with your boss, it might be worth a try. This isn't about getting an apology but about setting a boundary. You can prepare by writing down a few key points you want to make. Stick to the facts and use "I" statements to express your feelings without being accusatory.
Example: "I wanted to talk about what happened in the meeting yesterday. When I was called out in front of the team, I felt embarrassed and disrespected. In the future, I'd appreciate it if we could discuss any performance issues privately so I can learn from them without feeling undermined."
Be prepared for your boss to be defensive, but at least you will have made your position clear.
2. Document Everything
No matter what you decide to do, start a private record of everything that happened. Write down the date, time, what was said, who was present, and how it made you feel. Also, include the demand for unpaid overtime. This documentation can be helpful if the behavior continues or if you need to speak with HR.
3. Speak to Human Resources (HR)
HR's role is to enforce company policies and address employee conflicts. If your company has an HR department, you should consider speaking with them. Explain what happened, and provide your documentation. This type of behavior from a manager can create legal risks for the company, and HR will likely take it seriously. They can act as a mediator or even provide training for your boss.
4. Consider Your Mental Health and Next Steps
Ultimately, your well-being is what's most important. You shouldn't have to work in a toxic environment. If you decide that this isn't the right place for you, you can use this experience as motivation to find a new job. Remember that not all managers are like this, and there are many positive workplaces where you will be treated with respect.
If you choose to look for a new job, take some time to update your resume and start networking. You deserve to be in a place where your hard work is appreciated and where you are treated with dignity.
No one should have to endure that kind of treatment. It's a completely valid response to feel like quitting. What do you think feels like the right next step for you?