Help is Available to Older Workers in the Job Search
This initial post on the Wiser Worker Blog is a guest post from our Wiser Working friend Dr. Marvin Copes of the AARP Alabama State Leadership Group.
- So you’ve been out of work?
- You want to return to the workforce?
- Where do I begin to look for employment?
Planning for the job search is important. What type of job am I looking for? Assess your talents, skills, and abilities you have to offer an employer. Are you looking for part-time or full-time employment? What type of a schedule fits your needs? Do you need benefits (if not, this may give you an edge)? Do you want seasonal or temporary work? How flexible are you? These questions need carefully considered and YOU need to know the answers.
The best source of job searching is your network of people you have worked with, socialized with, gone to church with, and organizations you are involved in. By previously being in the job market, you have an advantage. Use your network of contacts in developing your plan and learn more about the labor market climate. Look to employers who have made a commitment to hiring older workers. Look for articles or stories concerning senior workers in the media, chamber of commerce office, state employment office, or state career center as sources. Visit career sites such as WiserWorker.com to see what jobs are available in your market.
Many individuals find that job-search activities are a major drain on their energy and on their self-esteem and confidence. Finding a job is a lot like selling a product and you are the product. The most successful salesperson is one who gets out there and makes lots of calls. It’s a number game. The same holds true in looking for a job. The more contacts you make regarding employment, the better the opportunity you hold to get a job.
Keep a journal or record in order to help you track your job search. Do some job-search activity each day. In order to maintain an accurate and current record of your job search, faithfully make entries in your journal. Remember – “The squeaky wheel gets greased.” You may find that volunteering is the perfect outlet for sharpening your skills and getting a foot in the employment door. If you do well at your volunteer job, the organization may want to hire you to keep your expertise.
Selling yourself to an employer may be difficult. You may feel that you don’t have a lot to offer compared to a younger worker or you are unsure about what you have to offer. GET OVER IT!
Employers continue to say that one of the most important things they look for in a job applicant is attitude! Most employers say you can teach individuals how to perform specific tasks, but it is impossible to teach anyone how to have the kind of positive outlook that will be an asset to the organization.
CONGRATULATIONS – attitude is the greatest asset you have to offer as found by talking to local employers. Now get busy and use your talents, skills and assets to find a job or career that you love. You can do it.
Dr. Marvin Copes, Maylene, Alabama; AARP Alabama State Leadership; Corporate Online Profile Employment Solutions (COPES), www.CopesSolutions.com; Job Counselor, AWARE, Aging Workers Are Reliable Employees, Positive Maturity, Inc., A Partner of United Way mlcopes@charter.net
Tags: aarp, guest post, job seeker