There are 4.8 million Americans over 65 who are not employed and in the workforce, yet we still have unemployment at 13%. This demographic shortage may soon lead to serious economic issues, especially if the lack of seniors in positions continues to grow. With more than 10% of retirees being unemployed for more than 15 years, there’s no time like the present to prepare for this new career landscape and make sure you’re jumping on board as soon as possible. If you’re interested in exploring new opportunities in your retirement journey, check out our article that outlines what it means to be an older job-seeker who is looking for work beyond just filling a role at their previous company.
The type of work you can pursue as an older job-seeker has changed considerably in recent years and the perfect pathway to find a job is to take an honest look at how modern employers can utilize your skills. Perhaps there is no need for any formal education and you’re perfectly capable of picking up new skills on the job, which would also suit many more employment for seniors. At the same time, you must be aware that it’s important to ensure that your skills are current and if you need to have the education or experience to offer in a new position, then you need to look at other options.
Modern employers today expect a high level of skill and qualifications and they will not hesitate to let you know that they need you to have the right skills to make them competitive in the market. Of course, no one can be put off by a lack of formal qualifications and experience, so if you have an excellent one, consider using it for other types of jobs as well.
This is something that many older job-seekers are already doing and enjoying a greater success rate than those who are still in their 30s or 40s. People over 50 were more likely to find an opportunity than those over 30 in 2011. People over 65 were also more likely to be employed than their younger counterparts back in 2012. However, even more impressive is the fact that those in their 60s were more likely to find a job than those in their 50s. This proves that there are no age limits on success, and you can achieve an incredible career as you age.
When embracing new opportunities, it’s important to have the right attitude and readiness to influence senior managers who may need to be made aware of your experience or qualifications. It would be best if you were ready for these situations by having some relevant work experience, possibly through volunteering or volunteering at community organizations, but also having enough life skills and knowledge to prove this in a positive way.