New graduates and younger unemployed workers aren’t the only ones looking for jobs.
Nielsen Online recently released a report stating that the 65-year and older age group is the fastest growing group in the career development category. During January, the demographic saw a 20 percent increase in visitors to job sites, to 3.6 million from 2.5 million during January 2008.
These statistics aren’t surprising since the current economy is causing many people of all ages to consider career changes, delay retirement or return to work to earn some additional cash.
Robert Graber, CEO of WallStJobs.com, said these results represent an important opportunity for businesses looking for experienced and successful candidates to fill positions.
“Smart companies will look at these statistics and see opportunity,” Graber said. “Interns can be any age. In fact, bringing in more seasoned interns can give your business the benefit of the candidate’s vast experience while the intern develops new skills or business experience.”
Graber said that aside from bringing experience and insight to the workforce, hiring workers 65-years and older also helps add more diversity to the company. In turn, this builds a stronger ability for the company to communicate across generations internally and externally, while at the same time adding a new perspective.
Popularity: unranked [?]
March 30th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Great post! The American labor pool has been not only growing but AGING, studies show the average age of the American worker is 40. So it stands to reason that we would see growth in this age category specifically in career development. In the same report it also talked about why we are seeing the spike in career search Nielson reported that “While 65 used to be considered the age when most people retired, we are seeing a trend towards later retirement or partial retirement. Much of this desire to stay employed longer can probably be
attributed to the fact that people are living longer and feel the need to keep generating income and sock away more retirement savings, especially in light of the current economic climate and its effect on people’s nest eggs.”
The Employment Guide also saw this demographic change coming and have worked in partnership with the AARP Foundation to develop Wiserworker.com a job board dedicated to providing quality employment opportunities and resources to the largest demographic group in the country, working adults over the age of 40. Our clients offer a variety of employment opportunities, both hourly and salaried. Paired with a national job fair series, WiserWorker.com features targeted job postings and a robust resource center for employers and jobseekers. You can also visit our blog dedicated exclusively to older workers http://blog.wiserworker.com/ .
April 27th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
You’re doing good work. Dr. Fred Horowitz and I write for Third Agers experiencing midlife career change and seeking career change advice at http://wwww.happiness-after-midlife.com. Dr. Fred, an executive coach, works with accomplished executives who are 45 and older, who are often looking for career change advice. Not one of them is in retiring in the traditional sense. Some are looking to start new businesses. For some baby boomers there is what Marc Freedman calls an “encore career”. In his book, “Encore: Work That Matters in the Second Half of Life,” Freedman describes the growing trend among baby boomers to develop a new career that is both fulfilling and financially rewarding. The book will satisfy boomers seeking career change advice related to non-traditional work.