Senior citizens represent 12%of the U.S. population, but are 35% of all fraud victims.

It’s a fact criminals historically target on the older demographic they report it’s easy to scam older people because they trust everyone. It’s not far but it’s a fact of life. The good news is scams are preventable and you have the power the power to stop yourself from being a victim! Where to start, well a good rule of thumb is this:  if it sounds too good to be true….well it is! Follow your gut, who cares if you upset the apple cart?  If a service provider doesn’t like your reaction then find a new service provider. You’ll be surprised that most service providers will be okay with your cautious nature as everyone has a set of parents.  

Scam Read Flags!

·         A phone caller asking for a donation however won’t tell you exactly how the money will be used and how you can verify the charity and what it does.

o   Legitimate charities are willing to tell consumers who they can check with to confirm that they are legitimate

·         A phone caller you have to take the offer immediately or you’ll miss the opportunity.

o   Legitimate companies don’t pressure people to act without time to look into the deal.

·         The caller asks for your credit card number, bank account number, or other financial information when you aren’t buying anything or paying with those accounts.

o   Legitimate companies only ask for financial information to bill you or debit your account for purchases you’ve agreed to make.

·         Remember, giving money to a fraudulent telemarketer usually means losing it forever.

o   Don’t let a criminal break into your home through your telephone line!

·         Law enforcement agencies don’t ask for payment to try to help consumers get their money back, and it’s illegal for a company to ask for advance payment for such services.

Remember you have to be careful, you have to be cautious and you have to watch out for yourself and your bank account.

In honor of Friday the 13^th I thought we could celebrate it by celebrating why older workers will substantially benefit any business.  

1.    Everything can be improved: Experienced workers take pride in their work.

2.    You get what you expect: Older workers stay on task until it is completed.

3.    Pleasure in the job put perfection in the work: Older workers have a knack for paying attention to detail.

4.    Finally being old pays off: Older workers have many years of experience

5.    Only those who do nothing make no mistakes: Older Workers make excellent mentors and role models

6.    Act the part and you will become the part: The older worker is not afraid to voice his opinions

7.    Concentration is the secret of strength: Less likely to play office politics.

8.    The best vision is insight: They can be left unsupervised more often and get the job done efficiently.

9.    Just go out there and do what you’ve got to do: Willing to stay over and work until the job is completed. 

10. Quality is everyone’s responsibility: Older Workers often know where problems may occur and how to prevent it

11. Only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it: Older employees are able to take things in stride and find workable solutions without “losing it.” 

12. Built in Training Department:  Older workers can easily train younger workers and encourage their progress.

13. We all have ability. The difference is how we use it : Usually they only have to be told once how to do a job.

You have the power to change; Hire an Older Worker!

Baby Boomer and Older Workers are surfing the web and STOP the presses they spend more time online than the average teenager. Your grandparents use the internet for more than email cute picture of their grandkids. It’s time we start looking at this demographic as a major player. Let’s face it they’re not going off into retirement and playing golf and sipping on martinis. However they may be using the internet to make reservations at the club for only the best tee time.

So what exactly are they doing?  Well……..everything shopping, communicating and well socializing with their friends! When they’re not surfing the web for the latest information they’re befriending people on Face book, tweeting the latest rage on Twitter and following the latest trends on blogs.

Baby Boomers and Older Workers:

Regularly use email 94%

Look up health and medical information 71%

Keep up to date on the latest news 70%

Are spending your inheritance on online gaming 47% (You better keep working!)

Managing their finances and banking 59%

Hitting the latest sales as they shop online 71% (highest % among any generational group)

Looking for work on WiserWorker.com

So the lesson here is that you better be taking this demographic seriously and learn from them as they want to teach you what they know!

Source: Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM).

The conversation is the same…..why do Baby Boomers stay in the workforce or why do they go back. Well the most common answer isn’t the real reason MONEY. Believe it or not baby boomer doesn’t return or stay for the all mighty dollar, sure it helps but it isn’t the main motivator.

For the Love of the Game - Yes folks Baby Boomers like what they are doing, and quite often they miss the work environment when they are absent, baby boomers like to be part of the team. It’s often their identity and without it they are lost!

Chance to see and be seen – That’s right often Baby Boomers stay in the work force as a way to socialize and interact with the public at large. It some cases this is the baby boomers only way to be part of a social setting.

A busy mind is a GOOD mind - Baby Boomers often look at the workplace a method of exercising the brain and challenging the mind.  They fear that if they stop their mind will also over time stop.

So what does this all mean?  That Baby Boomers are here to stay at least for the short run, and it’s okay because they lend a helpful hand in the workplace and help the younger generations learn!    

The population born between 1946 and 1964 is commonly referred to as the Baby Boom generation.

Over 1/4 of the total U.S. population in 2006 was between ages 42 and 60.

The Majority of Baby Boomers:

\Are currently married

Reported having some college or higher

Are currently employed and working

Are currently married

What are of the country do Baby Boomer’s favor?  

South           28 Million                                            

Midwest        17.5 Million                                          

West            17.4 Million                                          

Northeast      15 Million      

Baby Boomer’s Favorite States:

California

Texas

New York

Florida

Pennsylvania

Top 5 Counties where Baby Boomer Live:      

Los Angeles County, California

Cook County, Illinois

Harris County, Texas  

Maricopa County, Arizona

Orange County, California

Interesting Facts:

65% of Baby Boomers are married

49% of Baby Boomers have at least a bachelor’s degree.

35% of Older American’s have serves in the armed forces

95% of Older American’s are still employed

92% of Baby Boomers still are earning income

80% of Older American’s own their own home

Every day I write about topics that I think matter most to you, today is occurred to me that you all have your own story that’s unique to you. Today’s blog is dedicated to learning more about you, I want to know what gets you motivated, what resources do you need to have to find a job?  What makes you tick? 

Are you a Baby Boomer or are you an Older Worker?  

Are you a member of AARP?

Have you retired from your first career?

Why are you looking to re-enter the job market? 

How has the stock market affected you?

What types of job are you looking for?

Where in the United States do you live?

How do you think this election will affect your family?

What’s your perception of the golden years?

How do you use the internet and what for?

How often are you on the internet?

What do you think about the job market, how has it changes in your lifetime?

Do you worry about rising medical costs?

Have you attended a job fair?

Did you find a job at a job fair?

These are all things I would like to learn about you. I’ve done the research, but I want to talk to more of you who are in the marketplace and want to share your story. You can comment on this blog, drop me an email amy.hoster@wiserworker.com or call me (813) 775-6279. 

We need to hear your story!

So what are YOU going to do when you “Retire”?

There has been a lot of talk in the media about Baby Boomers taking a second look at retirement due to a host of reasons least not being that traditionally these are people who LIKE to work. The media has reported that Baby Boomers are nervous about the economy and yes that probably has something to do with this, however its my opinion that Baby Boomers will remain in the workforce due to the fact they have spent a majority of their adult life in the workplace, and they are comfortable there.  Let’s face it they have something to add to our marketplace and to be frank US businesses need Baby Boomers to stick around.

Wait…….I have research supporting this theory!  The following research by gerontologist and author Ken Dychtwald, Ph.D., The New Retirement Survey supports that baby boomers have very different drivers than the typical job seeker.

ü  While 76% of baby boomers intend to keep working and earning in retirement, on average they expect to “retire” from their current job/career at around age 64, and then launch into an entirely new job or career.

ü  Baby Boomers reject a life of either full-time leisure or full-time work. When asked about their ideal work arrangement, the most common choice would be to repeatedly “cycle” between periods of work and leisure (42%), followed by part-time work (16%), start their own business (13%) and full-time work (6%). Only 17% hope to never work for pay again.

ü  Baby Boomers aren’t staying in the workplace for the money! While 37% of the boomer generation indicate that continued earnings is a very important reason to keep working, 67% assert that continued mental stimulation and challenge is what will motivate them to stay in the game.

All this begs the question: What are you going to do in the next phase of your life?

Chances are you probably are going to start by looking for a part time job that has nothing to do with what you are doing now. You will look for a job you can enjoy and has benefit offerings for part time employees. Try searching for companies who value what you the baby boomer bring to the table.  

These are a few companies who stand out in the pack of companies who appreciate baby boomers:

ü  Starbucks benefits package that includes medical insurance, a retirement package and stock options, each “partners” who works 20 or more hours per week at the Seattle-based coffee chain receives a pound of free coffee each week.

ü  UPS nonunion part-timers pay approximately $50 a month for health care. Nonunion part-timers who participate in the 401(k) plan receive an immediately vested 100 percent match on the first 3 percent of compensation contributed, and both union and nonunion part-timers are covered by defined benefit retirement plans.

ü  Home Depot offers part-timers the opportunity to participate in  benefit health plan, a dental plan, term life insurance and short-term disability. 

I know if it were me, I would pick a job where I could interact with the public and help people. Baby boomers offer a lot to companies and customers, it’s our job as employers to tap into the Baby Boomer Resource.  In a recent post I wrote about how there seems to be a lack of knowledge in the world of customer service.  Trust me no matter what type of job you pick you will be appreciated if you can give customer service!