Land the Job You Want

The competition for jobs is fierce, but retirees can find employment if they know where to look and follow these simple job-search tips.

By Cameron Huddleston, Contributing Editor, Kiplinger.com

October 23, 2003

An increasing number of employers are realizing that older workers bring more experience and a better work ethic to the job than many younger workers. RadioShack has been so pleased with the performance of its older workforce that it is actively recruiting seniors nationwide through Web sites such as Senior Job Bank.

"Seniors are one of the key categories of people we feel make a great fit for our stores," says Charles Hodges, RadioShack spokesman. That's because RadioShack has a reputation for being helpful. So the company seeks employees who are patient, dependable, accustomed to working with people and are able to find answers for customers with questions. "Older people have those traits," Hodges says.

Other companies are viewing resumes on the job-search site for seniors as well, says Senior Job Bank founder Eric Summers. Traffic to the site has nearly doubled over the past year. Today more than 5,000 visitors each day search for jobs, or review resumes on the free site, Summers says.

But, he adds, there are still more job seekers coming to the site than there are jobs available. That's why it is important to do a little research and a lot of networking before jumping into your job search. Knowing where the jobs are and the types of skills required will help you save a lot of time and shoe leather looking for your next gig.

Job options for older workers

Although employers across the nation continue to downsize, there still are occupations where there is competition for workers, says Tony Sarmiento, executive director of Senior Service America, which provides training and employment for low-income seniors.

Jobs are available in the service sector, retail sales and health care, he says. Teachers, computer support specialists, secretaries, receptionists and landscapers are other occupations experiencing high levels of growth, according to AARP.

Seniors looking for skilled-labor or work-from-home jobs will have much harder time finding work, Summers says. A lot of skilled jobs have been downsized or automated in the past few years and home-based jobs are rare.

Start with your old job. If time is an issue, return to the career you just left, says Deborah Russell, AARP expert on aging workforce issues. You probably will have more connections and opportunities in that field than other lines of work. It's important, though, that you have kept up to date with the changes in your field and have kept your skills current since your retirement.

Try something new. However, more than half of the retirees surveyed in a recent AARP study said the work they were doing in retirement was different from the job they held before retiring. If you plan to do something new, Sarmiento suggests completing a career assessment to clarify your interests and help determine the types of jobs you might enjoy. Make a list of what you did in previous jobs and in life to see how your skills can be transferred to a new job.

How to land the job

If you've never worked or haven't had a job in several years, participate in community service programs to re-establish (or establish) a work history, Sarmiento says. Senior Service America helps place older Americans with community service groups so they can gain experience. Some enjoy the work so much they join the staff of the organizations.

If you haven't been out of the workforce long and are ready to jump back in to the daily grind, follow these steps offered by AARP to help you get the job you want.

• Keep your skills current. Brush up your computer skills. That might mean taking a course at the community college or training from an organization that caters to older workers, such as Experience Works.



• Keep your resume current. Before you can start your job search you'll need an up-to-date resume. Be sure to include skills attained or classes completed since you've left the job market. Potential employers will want to know what you've done with your time. For more resume writing tips, visit the AARP Web site.



• Stress your strengths. Before going to your first interview, research the company so you know what you could contribute. Make a list of your skills and be ready to explain how well you could fill the company's needs. That will get the employer to stop thinking about your age and start thinking about what you have to offer.



• Be humble. Although you may have more experience than the person interviewing you, don't be condescending or give advice. Show your willingness to learn.



• Focus on the job, not the benefits. Even it that's the primary reason you're going back to work.



• Know your rights. Review the Age Discrimination in Employment Act if you feel you have been discriminated against because of your age.

Work for yourself

If working for someone else in retirement doesn't appeal to you, consider working for yourself. In the AARP study, 21% of retirees said they were self-employed and 16% pre-retirees expect to work for themselves or start a business.

Consulting is a way to use skills acquired in a previous job while setting your own hours.

But starting a business isn't for the retiree just looking to stay active, says Daryl Watton, chair of the Orange County, Cal., SCORE chapter. SCORE, Service Corps of Retired Executives, provides free counseling through volunteers with business experience. Its 389 chapters have assisted more than 4.5 million Americans start their own businesses. Watton says starting your own business requires many hours of work, a lot of energy and commitment. It's not for someone just looking to fill spare time.

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