Wiser Worker Blog

By Ginger Campbell, National Program Coordinator/Work Search SCSEP, AARP Foundation

Have you walked with a group of friends in a not-so-familiar town? At the end of the day when you compared notes, were you amazed at what your friends noticed but that you missed? One person noticed all of the bakeries, one noticed the shoe stores, and one the interesting antique fronts on several of the buildings. You missed ALL of those things because you were only looking for one specific thing, and couldn’t find it. But, look at what the town offered, and what you missed. We’ve all done that — that is, forfeited the good things because we limited ourselves, and then complained that there was nothing there for us.

The job search can be exactly like that walk through town. For some, it is not familiar because you have never had to look for work - you’ve always had a job. For others it is seeking just one type of job and not seeing all of the other possibilities, or not willing to start part time or at a lower wage. When you end up at the end of your day, week, or month of job search, it can be disappointing when someone else saw the bigger picture, noticed, explored, observed, and succeeded!

A couple of months ago there was a part time job with a mini-storage company. It was only 20 hours a week, $6.75 per hour, and it was in a small town outside our metropolitan area. We called several people, and no one wanted to take it. Eventually, one person decided since he lived in the town, it would save him gas money and traveling time. That gave him two extra hours per week to plant his garden, and he hadn’t been offered any other job in spite of his persistence.

Interestingly, the owner of the mini-storage company later bought another business and offered our former client a new job with more money and more hours, and all because he was willing to see the bigger picture. It may have been a fuzzy one at the beginning, but he took the risk, worked hard, and was rewarded in the end. The moral of this story: Notice it all!

It doesn’t get any simpler than this folks!   Let’s talk about career profiles….the program provided The Color Career Counselor, powered by The Dewey Color System, has taken career advice to a new level, a level we can all understand. Plain, simple and colorful! One quick color quiz and can guides you down a career profile, it’s just that simple, really.  And easy, the color profile test takes you through a series of screens where you pick colors that appeal to you or maybe don’t appeal to you. From there those choices you choose the program derives what career field is best suited for you.

It’s the career color test, and it’s pretty neat. Try the quick test out and see it revels anything that sparks your interest through basic general knowledge questions.  It takes a few minutes and the results can be rather telling about what the next stage of your life can be should you choose to take the advise and run with it!  Hey maybe you can learn something about yourself that you didn’t know….

So what’s your color, email me I am curious how the older job seekers rate by the color.

I show you my color if you show me yours!

Not only do they know details they care about your details. That’s precisely why they make the best job candidate and why you should hire older workers. We know that older job seekers are detail-oriented, focused and attentive workers.  You can count on them to handle your business and your customers the way you would.  

Think about it we know that businesses suffer because of lack of attention to details.  Everyday businesses lose money because employees just don’t or can’t pay attention to the details. It’s the everyday simple details that often have the ability to make or break a company.  The sad fact is that some employees just don’t have the skills needed to be attention to detail gurus businesses; thus making this topic a critical business issue that needs to be addressed.  

From my viewpoint, it’s pretty simple businesses need people that can handle the day to day operations without having to be micro-managed. You know you have a talented staff is you are able to delegate tasks and have no need to check up on the tasks. It’s my bet that if you are not hiring older workers this is not the case.   

Its my opinion that if you have a mix of older workers on your staff you will find hat you will end up with a balanced staff. Add older workers to your staff and add an intangible value.  I would almost guarantee that their skills will rub off on all employees and can save your business thousands of dollars.

Nashville Job Fair Event

If you are an older job seeker or a Veterans who needs to find a job and you live in Nashville or the surrounding area make sure you attend the Nashville Job Fair this week. It will be held on September 17, 2008 from 9:00 am to 3 pm at The LP Field.   We will have only the best employers and workshops that will sharpen your job hunting skills.

Guess what we care, also available will be blood pressure and diabetes screening. And Wait that’s not all there will be a free $50 gas card given away every hour. Now who doesn’t need that? Click here for more information.

By Ginger Campbell, National Program Coordinator/Work Search SCSEP, AARP Foundation

Can you speak clearly? Although the new century is thoroughly entrenched in high tech communication with the onslaught of computers, Internet, electronic voice mail, and more, the basic skill of effective verbal communication sometimes seems to get lost in the shuffle. In spite of it all, the spoken language is very important.

It should be noted that “good communication” has occurred if the person(s) receiving the information understands the facts being presented. These include the who, what, when, where, and why.

This is critical when interviewing for a job, seeking information about a job opening, or networking in your community concerning upcoming job opportunities. Clearly stating your job needs, your qualifications, where you can be reached, and that you are a serious candidate or job seeker would be considered “good communication.”

“Bad communication” may also be referred to as vague or wishy-washy communication. Words and phrases like maybe, I’ve been thinking about, possibly, perhaps, and I’m not sure, do NOT reach out to employers and make them say, “YES! This is the person I want to manage my business.”

Eliminating “bad communication” from your job seeking conversations can move you right up the ladder to getting the job you’re after. A simple change in style can lead to opportunities you weren’t expecting.

The third and worst form of communication is the “ugly.” This would fall into the losing category for job seekers. “Ugly communication” is actually more of an attitude that, when combined with “bad communication” words and phrases, creates a negative image. This is a self-defeating form of job seeking because it creates a negative cycle.

“Ugly communication” can be demonstrated in inflexibility towards job opportunities (such as part-time vs full-time work), criticizing former employers, and demonstrating a lack of respect for your interviewer. This behavior will disqualify you not only from consideration on current job openings, but also from future interviewing opportunities.

How do you know what your style is? Practice interviewing with a friend, maybe someone who is currently working in the field you’re interested in. Ask him or her how you come across? Did you explain your employment goals effectively? Did you use positive phrases and words to describe your work experience? Were you able to project a positive attitude? Get the feedback and practice until you’re confident you’ll be able to win over your interviewer. People hire talented people. But, they also hire people they like. Make “good communications” techniques work for you!

The media reports the number of U.S. adults over age 50 will soar over the next ten years. In fact, U.S. Census Bureau data shows that 50+ adults will be the only growth demographic - measured by age - between now and 2015 as the massive Baby Boomer generation enters its 50s and 60s. As this is one of the largest generations that helped shape the current workforce, the upcoming generations will not be able to fill open positions in terms of skill sets or volume. The Employment Guide realizes that not all the Baby Boomers will be ready or desire retirement at a traditional age, and may want to continue along the same career path or even a new endeavor in an entirely new field. To aid these working adults aged 40 and older, WiserWorker.com was established. In addition to older worker employment opportunities, WiserWorker.com is a comprehensive resource devoted to providing helpful tools for this booming population.

The people who run this program in my mind are nothing short of amazing, they are part of the AARP SCSEP program.  The project directors who work tirelessly to help mature job seekers find job are probably the hardest working people I have ever come across.  WorkSearch was created by The AARP Foundation as a way to help people their program goals are simple:

·         Provide all mature workers with an informed choice regarding their employment interests and options

·         Assist people with pursuing their employment goals

·         Steer older adults at or below the median income toward financial security

What is the WorkSearch Program and how can it help YOU

WorkSearch offers career information and services to individuals who are seeking to remain in, or re-enter the workforce. WorkSearch is a customized system that provides a variety of services at no cost to you, including:

ü  Interest and ability inventories

ü  Skills assessments

ü  Online courses and study guides for those wishing to increase their skill level

ü  Tracking of progress and retention of test scores Job matches

ü  Unlimited access to WorkSearch to continue training, reassess skills, or edit or add interests

WorkSearch is amazing, I took the interest and ability inventory and the test pinpointed my skills dead on in every category. It’s a special program designed to help older workers like you.

ANYONE can take advantage of this program you just need to be:

·         Fifty-five years or older

·         Financially qualified

·         Interested in bettering their current employment circumstances

Take advantage of WorkSearch, you won’t be sorry! Once you figure out what you would like to do, visit www.wiserworker.com

It can be difficult being 50+ and applying for a job. First of all don’t be discouraged. The key to a successful interview is confidence and an updated resume. Wiser Worker.com is dedicated to providing quality employment opportunities and resources to the largest demographic group in the country, Baby Boomers, 50+.

I wanted to share with you 6 tips to finding a career later in life:

1. Don’t wait to be laid off to look for a new job.  It’s always more difficult to find a job when you’re out of work, and this is particularly true when you’re over 55.  It’s a perception issue: When you’re employed, you’re perceived as being “still in the game” you’re looking for new work because you want new challenges. That’s exactly what you want to project as an older worker. Once you’re out of work, you risk being perceived as “washed up.”
2. If you have been laid off, do a little soul-searching before deciding your next move. When you’re younger, getting laid off is often a cause for panic; you dive right in to your job search. For older workers, force of habit may cause you to do the same thing. But now’s a good time to think about what you really want at this stage of your life. Would you be happier doing what you do on a part-time basis? Finding a new job takes longer when you’re older, so it’s worth making sure you’re committed to the path ahead.
3. “Dumb down” your resume. It’s unfortunate, but age discrimination in the workplace is a very real problem. As a result, you might be screened out for a position simply because your job history goes back 30 years. Beyond age discrimination, there is the issue of being viewed as overqualified. If a company says it wants 10 years of experience, it might not want to pay for 30 and may screen you out without bothering to ask your salary requirements. In situations like these, you should use an alternative version of your resume that only goes back 10 or 15 years. 
4. Put personal networking first. Most jobs for 55-plus executives come from personal referrals. In situations where you’re seen as an individual rather than a demographic, you’re going to have a much better chance. Build your personal network through online tools like LinkedIn and by becoming an active member of local professional groups. To make more time to network, spend less time searching for jobs online. 
5. Target companies where the leadership skews older. Through your networking and research, you should seek out employers where the leadership team skews older; these companies are less likely to view you as a fossil simply because you qualify for AARP. If a company’s execs are in their 30s and 40s, you might be out of luck.  If they’re in their 50s and above, however, being over 55 can be a real advantage, as you are more likely to be viewed as a cultural fit.
6. Be patient. When you’re over 55, finding a new management or executive job generally takes twice as long as it does for younger executives. Perseverance is the key to success and this is more true the older you get.

(Information Provided by: Job hunting tips for 50+)

This guest post was written by Brandi Anderson, the Internet Support Specialist at the Baltimore Employment Guide. You can read more of what she has to say at the Baltimore JobSpot. 

Yesterday I blogged about a Baby Boomers taking to the open road with a second career in the trucking industry, I thought it might be fun to keep the spirit of the open road alive by sharing an experience I had over the weekend.  Over the weekend I flew on my favorite airline Southwest Airlines; over time you will learn that I am a Southwest Junkie!  Today I have ONE more reason to prove they are the best in the business.  I was only minutes into the flight when I took note of the age of the flight attendants, they all seemed to be of the older worker category, and I thought wow how neat. It wasn’t until the end of the flight I realized the treat that was in store for me!

During my flight I got a chance to catch up with one of the attendants: Tom. Who I would later learn was on his THIRD career. He had already retired from a career in the banking industry spent some years as a college professor teaching finance and had officially retired from the working world 8 years ago or so he thought.

At the age of 56 Tom retired and thought he was done working and it wasn’t too long before he discovered Southwest Airlines. It was then that he found his third career as a flight attendant with the airlines; His wife saw he was having so much fun as a flight attendant it wasn’t long before she joined the airline as well!  So now they both work a very flexible 3 day work week and enjoy 4 days off. They try and organize their work schedule in a fashion that enables them to have the same days off. So they can still have time to enjoy life.

He initially went back to work for the benefits and the freedom he knew that working with the airline would give him, he has found a home at Southwest Airlines and I think they have found valuable employee in Tom. Where else can you get paid to travel?

I hope that you get a chance to fly with Tom he loves his job and you can tell!  It was the best customer service I have ever had 30,000 miles in the sky. There might be 51 ways to leave your lover and 6 ways to exit a plane but I hope Tom and Southwest Airlines never part ways! 

Over the last few weeks we have talked about how Baby Boomers have changed retirement and because of this there are more “older workers” in the workforce. I thought if might be fun and maybe useful to take a look at jobs that are perfect fit for the older job seeker! If there is career field you would like to know more about send me an email, and I will do my best to give you all the information I know and any information I can FIND.

Did you know that over 65% of truck drivers today are over the age of 50?

I didn’t, this caused me to take a deeper look into truck driving and who is hiring and why? Then finally what you the job seeker would get out of a career in truck driving.  I would venture that truck driving companies have turned their recruitment efforts to focus on the older worker because they have taken a look at the candidates and know they are the best for the job.  Mostly because what they bring to an employer: their work ethic and their loyalty to the job is unmatched.

What I found was pretty interesting, read on and maybe it will spark your interest.  

When thinking about truck driving Schneider National was the first company that came to mind, mostly because I have worked with them in the past and I know they make an effort to recruit older workers. Last year 15% of their recruits were older workers.  I was lucky enough to find a video about a couple who work for Schneider Trucking; it does a great job telling their story. I learned they started their second career truck driving as a way to supplement their retirement, keep insurance, see the country and finally reconnect with their family and each other. They found that truck driving provided and way to achieved all these things.

They have traveled over 200,000 miles in their first year of trucking driving and have seen their family many times in their travels.  Think about it: Many retirees purchase a RV and travel the country seeing family, this couple outfitted their truck be very much like an RV and are getting paid to be retired, drive see the country the only difference is they are also carrying cargo with them and getting PAID.  Talk about the best of both worlds!   

 Does this sound like something that might be of interest to you?  Well if it does check out WiserWorker.com or our sister website Careersingears.com dedicated solely to transportation jobs.  I also learned that over 65% of the CareersinGears.com visitors are over the age of 50. Many people are already driving in retirement! Our websites have many resources you might find useful when researching if a career in truck driving is right to you.