Getting Back to Work! Secrets for Boomers, Seniors and Retirees to Landing that Job
They sense that the younger public has accepted as truth various misconceptions about older workers. Despite these perceptions, research from agencies such as the Department of Labor, the American Council of Life Insurance and Andrus Gerontology Center is indicating that workers that are 50+ possess work ethics that are highly desirable to employers.What, then, can boomers, seniors and retirees do to increase their success at landing a job?
1. Do your homework. Learn the latest in technology skills. Take adult education or online classes to give the impression that you are in sync with the rapidly changing technological advances. And read Michelle Goodmanò€™s Seven Mistakes Job Hunters Older Than 50 Make
2. Study AARPò€™s excellent articles beginning with Job Tips for 50+ Workers
3. Write a clean, well-constructed, convincing resume
ò€¢ Using correct terminology (search job descriptions for assistance).
ò€¢ Indicating all your skills and expertise pertinent only to the position you are applying for.
ò€¢ Eliminating "References available upon request" from the resume. The employer makes this assumption.
ò€¢ Emphasizing experience, skills, talents and expertise.
ò€¢ De-emphasizing dates.
ò€¢ Ensuring that there are no spelling, grammatical or typographical errors.
ò€¢ Mailing or sending your resume early to the head of the human resource department.
4. Prepare for your job interview
ò€¢ Your interviewer will probably be younger than you are. Treat him or her with respect.
ò€¢ Practice your interview with a younger person.
ò€¢ Dress and groom yourself appropriately.
ò€¢ Be ready to explain why youò€™re applying for a job below your level of expertise.
ò€¢ Research the company you are applying to.
ò€¢ Follow up your interview with a thank you note.
5. Make use of tools that search specifically for companies that are committed to hiring older workers like:
SeniorJobBank -http://www.seniorjobbank.org/
Workforce50 -http://www.workforce50.com/
RetirementJobs -http://www.retirementjobs.com/index.html
RetiredBrains -http://www.retiredbrains.com/
Seniors4Hire - http://seniors4hire.org/
Jobs4.0 -http://www.jobs4point0.com/
6. Locate companies which are agreeable to hiring older workers by considering AARPò€™s 2008 lists of the best Employers for workers over 50 in the United States and internationally
7. Take advantage of government training and employment opportunities at:
a. The Senior Community Service Employment Program- SCSEP trains and places qualifying seniors.
b. Senior Environomental Employment Program- As part of the United Environmental Protection Agency, (SEE) hires seniors for temporary, part-time, and full-time positions to help EPA improve the environment.
c.CareerOneStop- Sponsored by the Department of Labor this site assists job seekers by giving help with personal assessment, career options, education and training leads, resumes, interviews, networking and job availability.
8. Donò€™t forget the nonprofit sector for job opportunities:
a. Action Without Borders runs a website which matches volunteers and paid individuals with over 57,000 nonprofit organizations that are interested in improving their communities. "AWB is independent of any government, political ideology, or religious creed."
b. Older volunteers find that Peace Corps is a wonderful way to "give back" to the world while gaining valuable benefits for themselves.
9. Use your old job and turn it into a new career, such as substitute teaching or tutoring.
10. Turn your hobby into dollars: If youò€™re handy around your own house, why not get paid for it by assisting others?