Job Hunt Tips for Older Americans

The American economy has experienced more than its share of fluctuations over the past two years, what with the pandemic, the growing acceptance of working remotely and, more recently, sharp rises in inflation and drops in the stock market. Such uncertainty is sure to delay thousands of Americans’ retirement plans, keeping them in the workforce and in competition with younger workers for the most prized positions.

Due to ageism, older workers have long been at a disadvantage in the process. That said, there are steps senior job seekers can take to help level playing the field, secure the positions they want and ensure their final years in the workforce are fulfilling and productive.

Experience Counts: Older job seekers have a depth of knowledge and experience they can draw on, whether it regards the firm’s background, decades of industry trends or simply how the economy and society have evolved over the course of their adult life. Your fresh-out-of-college competition can’t touch that, so highlight that background in your job materials and interviews.

Keep Current: This goes hand in hand with the previous tip, as the most attractive employees possess both knowledge of the past and an understanding of current conditions. It is imperative older job seekers read voraciously about their industry and stay up-to-the-minute on all relevant trends. You don’t want to go into that job interview ignorant of the latest social media platform or the newest insider publication. Stay current with both your skill set and knowledge, and your age won’t hold you back.Expand Your Network: Effective networking has been a touchstone of successful job hunting for decades and it’s easier now than ever thanks to online platforms such as LinkedIn. But don’t let technology fool you – there are plenty of other, old-school ways to advance your job hunt. Consider joining (or rejoining) a professional association in your field. Send a letter to your friends and family and let them know about your job search. And by all means revamp your LinkedIn profile.

Don’t Be Afraid of Change: Older job hunters sometimes feel it’s too late to pursue new careers but that’s patently untrue. One researcher found that 82% of people who decided to change careers after 45 were successful and that the positions increased their fulfillment and income. To make that transition, however, you must be ready to do what’s required, including going back to school if necessary. The key here is to have enough confidence in your abilities to meet the new challenges a new career will bring.

Follow Your Passion: When considering that second (or third or fourth) career, bear in mind that it may well be your last. Given that, ask yourself how you want to spend your final years in the workforce?
That reality makes this the ideal time to determine if there’s a job that will enable you to fulfill a lifelong passion. You’ve always wanted to work with kids? Consider education or childcare. Sick of offices? A career outdoors calls to you. Think carefully about what you want to do with this period of your life and follow your passion.

At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.