It is unlikely that many of us plan for a job hunt after age 50. By that time, we think, we’ll be situated in a dream job and moving towards retirement. However, as corporate America down-sizes and economic pressures force workers to make tough choices, many Americans over the age of 50 find themselves in the job market. Just as with any job hunt, you have to use all available resources to assist you. Here are some resources specifically oriented toward the older job hunter.
Web-Based Resources
There are, of course, dozens of Internet job and career sites, but sites such as Work Reimagined (http://www.workreimagined.org) offer career advice, job listings, and other social media tools designed for folks over age 50. Retirement Jobs (http://www.Retirementjobs.com) is another site for the job-seeker age 50 and older; in addition to help with resumes, you will also find links to thousands of jobs across the country. Use these sites, as well as more traditional sites, such as Monster or Craigslist, to ferret out all the opportunities in your area. If you do not have Internet access at home, be sure to find a local library, community college, or job center that allows access.
Face-To-Face Resources
While the Internet offers many possibilities, some of us respond better to face-to-face interactions. Career One Stop (http://www.careeronestop.org), run by the U.S. Department of Labor, offer career exploration options, job search services, training opportunities, and a wealth of other services to on-site visitors. These centers are based throughout the country. For those over 55, and meeting certain financial requirements, additional help is available through the Senior Community Service Employment Program (http://www.doleta.gov/seniors). Aimed at older individuals seeking to become economically self-sufficient, this program offers training and job placement services. Participants partner with a variety of community service positions including daycare centers, senior centers, libraries, and schools.
Work at Home
There are legitimate opportunities to work at home, but you have to do your due diligence. Be wary of TV ads promising overnight wealth; most of us know that making money requires work. Focus on opportunities that use needed skills; service positions such as client relations, editing, proofreading, tutoring, and even computer programming. You can review current opportunities at sites such as Working Solutions (www.workingsolutions.com), FirstEditing (www.firstediting.com), Tigerfish (www.tigerfish.com), and LiveOps (www.liveops.com). Additionally, be sure to review listings on Craigslist and in the local paper.
The above sites and resources are just a few of the many opportunities available for finding work when you are over 50 years of age. Your greatest asset is you and your experience; use your connections to reach out and find/create opportunities to add to your income. In the end, the hard work you do finding a job will pay off.
Source: 50 Plus Senior News