Finding a new job, work for decent pay, especially for seniors, baby boomers, is challenging. There are jobs - even in a slow economy. But mature workers tell themselves they might not be sought-after. Sites like Senior Job Bank may help.
You'll find, with diligence and perseverance, a 55 year-old can launch a successful career search even after a long time at one job. Intelligent, progressive employers understand that experience and maturity, coupled with firm work ethic, equal solid gold.
First Step Toward a New Job
Identify skills that fit today's market place. The hot-topics, so to speak, like electronic know-how, computer talent, programming, HTML coding, software expertise all warrant strong emphasis in a resume and must be highlighted in a cover letter.
A job-seeker lacking those skills, or one whose contemporary skill set is a bit stale should positively head for the nearest business school or community college and take some brush-up classes. Suggested topics to consider:
- Keyboarding – not the musical kind
- Search Engine Optimization – everyone is looking for it, learning it is not too tough
- Spread sheets, Power Point, data base software
- Learn a content management system like Joomla.
Who Would Possibly Hire a 60 Year-Old?
A quick Google search will turn up companies that make a point of hiring older workers. Some offer telecommuting opportunities. Some are looking for capable, experienced people to train the newbies. Here's a starting list:
- IBM
- CVS Drugs
- McDonald’s Corporation
- U-Verse from AT&T
- The Internal Revenue Service
- Abbot Labs
Candidates looking for full-time, long term employment can begin by exploring companies like those. Networking is critical. Community groups – brick and mortar type like the Jaycees, Rotary, Women in Management, all help workers connect with others in their fields and with companies seeking talent. Online groups like LinkedIn or Twitter are worth their weight in pixels. A supply of business cards, with an email and web address, are essential fashion accessories during a job search.
What to Do While Unemployed
Jobs don't fall off trees. There's an old adage – spend as much time looking for a job as one does doing the job. If the prize is a 40 hour a week job, then the search should take 40 hours a week. Anyone eligible should file for unemployment. Most workers pay for that benefit for years. Some never use it.,but it isn't charity.
Lots of people turn to entrepreneurial ideas, perhaps web-based, to fill the gap. Those can morph into new careers. Experts say never count on a single source of income in trying times. They encourage job seekers to select a skill like web design, gardening, or errand running - place a local ad and market yourself. This is the time to consider temp agencies like Kelly or Manpower. Off the beaten path, people find success with flex time jobs where hours are shared with another worker, part-time work, and consulting.
There are great job opportunities for boomers. Blogging sites offer revenue sharing. Volunteer opportunities can turn into paid work.
Mature workers need to present a bit more of an edge – slick, together and polished. Baby boomer candidates may need to be slightly more agressive and advocate for themselves, but the job is out there, if the candidate has the will power to keep going.
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