Now is a great time to be looking for a job if you are an
older worker. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, between 1977 and
2007, employment of workers 65 and over increased 101 percent, compared to a
much smaller increase of 59 percent for total employment (16 and over).
Employment of people 65 and over doubled while employment for everyone 16 and
over increased by less than 60 percent. Employment of older workers has
increased dramatically. This segment of the population continues to grow, and
their talents with it. Older workers hold a multitude of talents, including
managerial, accounting, marketing, manufacturing, construction, and more.
So why are there so
many older workers? A big portion of the aging workforce is returning to the
labor force out of retirement or simply staying in for a longer duration. The
common retirement age is mid-60s; however, some workers are opting to work well
into their 70s, assuming health permits. It's not uncommon for a person in
their late sixties to be employed.
More companies are valuing the experience, commitment, and
skills older workers bring to the table. Some are disenchanted with Generation
X and are eager to work with people who have the same values as they do.
Whatever the case, older workers are entering the workforce in droves and
companies are happy to have them.
Despite this, it's clear that there are obstacles to older workers getting jobs. The same Generation X that companies may be wary of are
without a doubt highly talented. They come from disciplined backgrounds and
great schools. They've grown up in an environment that is electric with
technology and change. So besting the young generation is definitely no easy
task. These workers don't care so much about money as they do job satisfaction
and being challenged. So older workers need to strategize on ways they can
remain competitive.
Companies all over America are clamoring to hire older
workers. The key is finding which companies are best-suited for this workforce.
AARP just released a survey of the top employers for workers over 50. West
Virginia University, First Horizon National Corporation, and Scripps Health
were among the top five companies lauded for their efforts.
Older workers are one of the fastest-growing segments of the
workforce. This highly talented population is made up of skilled tradesmen,
craftsmen, laborers, managers, CEOs, human resource workers, manufacturers,
administrators, healthcare workers, and much more.
There are several ways older workers can stand out. They can
highlight their vast experience on their resume. Or they can tap into their
connections and try to find someone who works at the company they would like to
get a job at. This is one example of an advantage that older workers have. Or
they can parlay their experience into another career, which is something older
workers can do more easily than workers without a lot of experience.
Whatever the case, there are many ways more senior workers
can maintain a competitive edge over their younger counterparts.
