A group of ‘mature workers’ talks business over lunch (Credit: CBS)
CHICAGO (CBS) – They’ve exhausted their unemployment benefits, drained their savings, tapped into their 401k, and they still need a job to survive.
But mature workers over 55 are the least likely to get hired.
CBS 2′s Dorothy Tucker takes a look at what you can do to improve your chances of finding a job.
“I’m an experienced worker, but people don’t look at me that way. They look at me like you’re ready to retire.” said Lamar Oliphant, a former IT professional.
But at 55, Oliphant can’t afford to retire. He has a mortgage, two kids in college, and no more unemployment benefits. National Able Network gives him a small stipend while offering free job training.
“We provide training on computers, we provide training to improve your interviewing techniques.” said Patricia Wilkins, Senior Director, Senior Services, National Able Network.
According to the state’s latest figures, in 2010 88,000 workers between 55 and 64 were looking for a job.
“The purpose of this meeting is to make some connections.” announced Scott Kane, Managing Director, Gray Hair Management.
At this Gray Hair Management networking breakfast, many former senior managers, who used to make six-figure salaries are passing out resumes.
“We provide packages from soup to nuts to help people recreate their documents, their resumes.” said Kane.
The package can cost as much as $4,000. It was the access to 1,500 job leads, the networking, and learning to how to better market her skills that attracted Angela Alexander.
“I’ve been to China, I’ve been in Germany several times.” said Alexander, a former senior manager.
“But it never registered as something that I should be sharing as part of my story.”
Mature workers are also encouraged to use social media in their job search. That’s something Gayle Levine has mastered.
Add those social skills to 25 years of experience in property management, plus an MBA and Gayle seems like a perfect candidate–except she’s 62 years old.
“I’m angry because I walk in, I’m in a nice suit, and I’m professional, I have a professional resume and I feel … give me a chance.” said Levine. “I just want to work. I want to feel valuable.”
Some experts say if it makes you feel better, it doesn’t hurt to get rid of the gray.
Also, be willing to accept a lower salary, and don’t think the job will last for more than a few years.
Links:
grayhairmanagement.com
13 Comments
Pingback: How To Find A Job If You’re A ‘Mature Worker’ | EZY News
Will it be possible to provide a list of employers who look for matured unemployed individuals in a website and publisise that website for the benefit of matured unemployeds.
June 23, 2011 at 3:19 am
For the advice on haircolor – that costs money too, so why not offer free or reduced makeovers for those mature workers.
June 23, 2011 at 4:14 am
Here’s some sad realities of the job search. Companies will usually hire people that are currently working regardless if they are the worst person at that company or the best. HR personel have the impression if you’re layed off, there’s a reason for it. You are as good as the worst person and that’s why you got it. They don’t care that your company went out of business, layed off 10,000 people, relocated or outsourced. You may have just made too much money or got it randomly. You got and someone else didn’t.
Networking is nice but unrealistic. If most of the people you know and kept in touch with are at the company you got layed off from, that’s of little help. People you know at other companies are reluctant to get you in if they’re worried you’ll take their job if there’s a layoff there. If you’re unemployment benes have run out that’s 2 years and people you knew don’t want to keep in touch with you any more. It’s like you have cancer. They don’t know what to say to you.
The only suggestion I can offer is the gov needs to give incentives to companies to hire layed off people instead of those currently working that just want to move around for whatever reason. Until companies are willing to take a chance on what they consider undesireables, those unemployed will remain unemployed.
June 23, 2011 at 8:05 am
I think you’ve hit upon something. I don’t know if “they” have figured out yet, that older unemployed workers will begin to collect social security sooner without another means of income. It will stress the ss system in the near future, even more than predicted. The gov. needs to provide incentives to hire these older workers. Statistics point to (and anecdotal information confirms) older workers are better employees, with more life experience and general knowledge and don’t require constant pats-on-the-back. Just ask anyone who has hired a twenty-something recently.
June 23, 2011 at 10:59 am
Pingback: Getting work if you’re over 50 « Gray Hair Management's Blog
If you are a professional struggling with any of the issues discussed in this article, please contact Gray Hair Management @ grayhairmanagement.com or call us at 847-940-2800.
June 23, 2011 at 9:04 am
If station gets an inquiry about the people interviewed on report, then will the station connect the job holder to a job seeker?
June 23, 2011 at 10:49 am
I was forced into early retirement and it isn’t easy but I’m getting by. However, if you’re in your 60s and out of a 6-figure job like some of the people in the story, how about retiring and let someone who really needs the money get in the door!
June 23, 2011 at 10:51 am
Well everyone, I am in the same boat. Unemployment ran out, no income, and can’t find a job. I too have a professional resume, MBA with banking, accounting and management experience. Have gone through a 6-mo. retraining program in HIT, but was not hired by that company. Currently working with job coaches, tweeked resume, attended workshops and all they do is make the same suggestions of what you are already doing. By the way, I am 60, and still too young for SS benefits. I cannot pay for any one to help me find a job. I need and want a job…..what can one do.
June 23, 2011 at 10:53 am
I am 50 years old, not 55, but after three years unemployed (Network Engineer), I am in the same boat. In three years I have only landed two interviews. Ninety nine percent of companies do not even bother to tell you that they reviewed your resume, so I assume they are flagged and go straight to the shredder.
So I have two strikes; 50 years old and three years unemployed. The savings and 401K are gone. Loans keep piling up.
I am glad that executives and owners are having record profits and bonuses.
PS. My position was eliminated even though at the time, it was supposedly critical. They just passed all the work to some poor young man willing to take the immense responsibility and extra hours for a minimal raise.
June 23, 2011 at 6:48 pm
the age discrimination is starting at 40 and it just keeps on coming. The fact that anyone suggests that you should dye your hair is just capitulating to this discrimination. The EEOC laws have to be enforced and some new ones created to hold job agencies feet to the fire for being complicit
June 24, 2011 at 6:41 pm
Like most clueless career counseling outfits it sounds like this one also leaps right into interviewing skills, oblivious of the fact that just getting interviews is a problem.
What’s also left out of the equation is the fact that firms hiring older individuals have exceedinlgy hiigh expectations of them, not lower as the ariticle implies. That means having provable Moses-like leadership skills, a level to which not every worker was able to climb in their earilier careers– otherwise organizations would have far more leaders than subordinates, an impossiblity.
June 27, 2011 at 6:36 pm