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Assisting the Older Job Seeker
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Overview of Older Workers
• Beginning with people from age 50-55
• Baby Boom Generation – 76 million people born between 1946-1964
• Will develop as a result of:– Changes in retirement patterns and trends– Changes in life expectancy
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Exhibit II.3: Median Age of the U.S. Population, 1900-2050
20
25
30
35
40
45M
edia
n A
ge (y
rs.)
Source: Aging Baby Boomers in a New Workforce Development System, updated 1999.
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Workforce Trends
• Response to aging population as a whole:
• In 2004, the labor force age 55 and over was 15.6% and by 2014 this percentage is expected to reach 21.2%.
• In September 2009, the unemployment rate for the state of Illinois was 10.5%.
• The unemployment rate for people age 65 and older reached 7% at the national level.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (2009).
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Today’s Unemployed Older Adult
• May have taken early retirements in past recessions but now needs to continue working
• Exhausting unemployment insurance benefits
• May have work and job skills but lack job SEARCH skills
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Unemployed Older Workers
• Unemployment rate higher for men than for women
• Older workers in construction and manufacturing are the hardest hit
• Unemployment rates have increased for all education levels, race and ethnic groups.
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Preparing for a job search
• Start with a self assessment
• Realistic expectations about what jobs you are qualified to do
• Planning for networking
• Your job search is the toughest job you will have.
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Realistic Expectations
• “I’ll work from home.”
• “I’ll work as a greeter for Wal-Mart.”
• “I’ll be a consultant.”
• “I’ll start my own business.”
• Research these options on web sites such as www.ilworkinfo.com.
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Assessments for Older Workers
• Review skills
• Transferable skills
• Create a strategy and a time frame for job search
• Get paperwork in order
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Marketing a Mature Worker
• Resumes
• Cover Letters
• Personality Testing
• Elevator speeches
• Online job search techniques
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Age Discrimination
• Mature workers are protected but can be very difficult to prove.
• For more information or to file a claim please visit the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission web site at www.eeoc.gov
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Networking
• Most jobs will not be posted
• Finding references and contacts
• Social and Professional online Networking– Facebook– Linked In
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Cover Letters and Resumes
• Cover Letters should be personalized to each response
• Resume Formats– Chronological– Functional– Combination
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Elevator Speech
• Sales Pitch for a job seeker
• Summary of skills and the type of job you are seeking
• Positive Information about you
• Practice makes perfect
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Online Job Search
• Web Site Resources – Older Worker friendly web sites
• Networking– SCORE-Counselors to Small Business– RSVP-Retired Social Worker Volunteer
Program
• Illinois workNet
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Interviewing
• Informational Interviews
• Behavioral Interviews
• Practicing Interview Techniques– Practice with others– Recording yourself– Sample questions
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Interview Follow-Up
• Starts at the interview
• Thank you notes
• Maintaining a positive attitude even if you are not offered the position
• Networking opportunity
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Handling Rejection
• Staying positive
• Networking
• Job Clubs
• Have a plan for what will motivate you to continue
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American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
• Stimulus Plan• Expansion of Unemployment Benefits• Green Job Initiative• Supporting Existing Department of Labor
Programs– Workforce Investment Act– SCSEP Senior Community Service Employment
Program
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Workforce Investment Act WIA
• Programs for Adults, Dislocated Workers, and Youth
• Education based training to support job seekers
• Individual Training Accounts
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Illinois workNet Centers
• Updating resumes, cover letter, and reference lists
• Response to Training Needs– Updating computer skills
– Career Changes
• Identifying current and future needs for employers and older workers
• Educating Employers
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Catering to the Older Worker
• National Able Network
• Able Staffing Resources
• Able Career Institute
• AARP
– Best Employers for People over 50 Program
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Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)
• Temporary internship type opportunities for those who meet the eligibility requirements
• Serves older job seekers age 50 and over who are not currently employed
• Experience based training
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Employment Specialist
• Liaison between Host Site and Participants
• Individual employment planning with participants
• Partners with the Illinois workNet Centers to serve all job seekers in suburban Cook County
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Web Sites for Older Job Seekers
• Illinois workNet– www.illinoisworknet.com
• Illinois Skills Match– www.illinoisskillsmatch.com
• AARP– www.aarp.org/money/work
• Retired Brains– www.retiredbrains.com
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Web Sites Continued
• Workforce 50– www.workforce50.com
• Retirement Jobs– www.retirementjobs.com
• Prime CB (Career Builders for mature workers)– www.primecb.com
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Questions?
• If you would like more information about resources for older workers, please contact Kerry Finegan, Employment Specialist.