Tory Johnson: How to Find a Job Later in Life

March 7, 2007 — -- Supply and demand dictates that retirees are hot. By 2010 -- just three years from now -- almost one in three workers will be at least 50, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Savvy employers should hustle to tap into the 50+ crowd, which would be welcome news for the 80 percent of workers ages 50 to 70 who, according to a recent AARP survey, say they plan to work in some capacity during retirement years or never retire at all.

Reasons for longevity in the workplace range from a desire to stay active and productive while combating boredom to the need to supplement retirement funds or receive health-care benefits.

Among the top fields tapping these mature workers: health care, education, retail, financial services, temporary services and even engineering and sciences. Even the trucking industry is trying to lure such workers based on the theory that if they can drive a Winnebago into the sunset, they can handle an 18-wheeler, too.

Some retailers, including CVS/Pharmacy, Borders and Home Depot, have "snowbird programs" allowing workers to transfer their employment to Florida during the winter months.

Online Job Boards a Boon for Seniors

And I'm seeing a growing trend with new online job boards that feature opportunities from thousands of employers that are actively reaching out to retirees.

Such sites include SeniorJobBank.org and Seniors4Hire.org. YourEncore.com specializes in placing retired engineers and scientists in contract assignments with leading employers. In addition, AARP's National Employment Team features profiles of 30 national employers that say they're eager to tap into the 50+ work force.

Entrepreneurship is also an appealing route. About half of all self-employed people in this country are older than 50. Instead of waiting for the perfect opportunity to come along, this is the path to creating the dream job without working on someone else's terms.

Many employers I've talked to cite loyalty and dedication among the top reasons for hiring mature workers. They're less likely to jump from job to job than their younger counterparts, which means employers save big bucks from high-turnover costs. Retirees put a premium on providing exceptional customer service, which is unfortunately in short supply these days in this country. And of course, they can often serve as mentors for younger co-workers.

Yet, as rosy as that sounds, the reality is plenty of older workers no doubt face age discrimination. The good news is it can be overcome.

Maintain a positive attitude. It's a common mistake to assume that you're out of the running because you're older, and it often means that a candidate doesn't put his or her best foot forward. You must treat any interview as if you've got a great shot. Expect that you may very well meet with an interviewer the age of your son or daughter, so that shouldn't surprise you. Resist the urge to judge someone based on age.

Keep your resume current. Maintain a current resume that's tailored to the position you're applying for. Be selective about what you include. You don't have to list every job you've had since high school. Just include the relevant experience and skills.

Make sure the language you use on your resume is up-to-date. Just last week a woman sent me a resume that listed a position where she used a ditto machine. Not good. You want to show that you're current and relevant with today's workplace.

Keep interview responses sharp and succinct. Practice keeping your interview responses sharp and succinct. One criticism I hear about older applicants is an inability to answer questions both directly and succinctly. They often want to talk about all of their experiences and work history, yet nobody wants or needs to hear the whole life story. By rehearsing responses to basic and common interview questions, you can dramatically improve your chances for consideration.

Expand your network. It's often easier to get hired through people who know you and your work ethic than by applying blind. Don't be shy about asking personal friends to help make professional introductions for you. If you live in a big city, volunteer at major conferences, register for industry-specific functions and attend job fairs. If you reside in a more rural area, tap into online networking resources. On my Web site, more than 20,000 women -- many of whom are older than 50 -- connect daily via a free online forum, the Women for Hire Network, to exchange job leads and career advice.

Practice Answers to the Following Questions

Tell me about yourself. Your response should be no longer than one minute. Give a brief synopsis of your professional strengths and experiences, along with a mention of your character and work ethic.

Why would you be an ideal match in this role? Focus only on the skills and experience that are relevant to this particular role, and be sure to touch on any key behavioral traits that would be impressive for this position.

Tory Johnson is the CEO of Women for Hire and the workplace contributor for "Good Morning America."