Your Job Search: What Do You Want to Do?

By: Bob Skladany | Source: AARP.org | October 6, 2008

Finding a job if you are age 50+ isn’t easy. Many older job seekers are coping with poor health and disabilities, personal and family difficulties, caregiving for parents, and financial problems. Sometimes they are dealing with all these burdens simultaneously.

In the best of times, looking for a job is hard and unpleasant work. But compounded by personal and financial issues, it feels like a near-overwhelming challenge.

So, where do you start?

Identify Jobs of Interest. Identify several possible jobs to which you can aspire. Don’t worry about whether or not you’re qualified. Some of your choices may require training and education. Make a list of every job you can think of that interests you professionally or personally.

Start looking around your community for ideas. Who are the major employers? They could be retailers, manufacturers, transportation companies, grocery stores, banks, state or local government, personal care aides, health care, and schools. Go to the library or bookstore and scan through books about careers and occupations. Make an appointment with a career counselor at your state’s Career One-Stop (or employment office).

Read through the help wanted ads in the newspaper and search online job-search posting boards, such as RetirementJobs.com and AARP.org. Visit the vocational counseling office at your local community college. Someone there can discuss career options, job requirements, and qualifications with you.

For some, this may mean continuing in a primary career. For others, it may mean an occupational or career change. Or, it may mean blending several part-time jobs to meet income needs and personal interests. Self-employment in an area of special interest or talent is another possibility.

Prepare a List. List the jobs that appeal to you. Next to each, list several possible employers in your community that may offer such opportunities. Be sure to include a few major temporary staffing firms, such as Manpower, Robert Half International, Express Employment Professionals, Adecco, and Kelly Services. These staffing agencies list openings with a variety of employers seeking to fill jobs for several weeks up to several months. You may qualify for paid time off and health and retirement income benefits while employed by a staffing firm.

The jobs on your list should be positions you would enjoy. You should also have at least some of the necessary qualifications. Many people just get stalled trying to identify their ideal or dream job. Regrettably, older job seekers simply don’t have the same range of choices available to younger workers.

Your Needs and Priorities. Prioritize your personal and financial needs. What are your salary requirements and what is your worth in the labor market? Does the job have to provide health benefits? Do you want to  travel? How important is a flexible schedule? Must the job provide pension or savings plan benefits?

List about eight to 10 jobs that are available in your community, meet your needs and priorities, and for which you are qualified or could become qualified.

Play to Your Strengths. On a separate sheet of paper, list your most valuable capabilities and qualifications. For example:

• Computer Skills: Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, PowerPoint and Excel) and Internet research and communication tools
• Customer Service: Face-to-face and telephone-based customer-service skills in consumer and business-to-business markets
• Accounting: Undergraduate education in accounting and extensive experience in general ledger maintenance and financial report preparation

List and describe all of your important capabilities. At this point, you want the most comprehensive list possible. You will draw on this list when it comes time to apply for a specific job.

Do I Need More Training? What if you have a high level of interest in a job, but don’t have the qualifications or experience? You’ll have to research the specific education, skills, or certifications required and then decide whether or not you are prepared and able to make the investment in personal development. This could be self-study, adult education, or community college courses and certification programs.

Employers of certain high-demand occupations, such as teachers, nurses, accountants, and home-care aides are actively recruiting applicants. Many of these jobs are within reach of older job seekers who have the luxury of time and money to acquire the required qualifications. If you plan to work for more than three or four years, it could well be worth your investment in training and education to qualify for a better paid and more meaningful job.

Your Immediate Plan of Action. If you are currently employed, hold on to your job while you search for your new one. If you are unemployed, consider getting the best part-time job as quickly as possible. There are many good retail and service jobs that pay $8 to $12 to start and will get you back into the routine and structure of working. Some offer health benefits to employees working 24 to 30 hours in a week. A part-time job may be essential if you are facing immediate financial problems.

Your Job Search Binder
Get a three-ring binder, tabs, and loose-leaf paper. Prepare a tab for “Possible Jobs” and prepare the following pages for your Job Search binder:

1. Jobs of Interest: Eight to 10 jobs that most appeal to you
2. Potential Employers: A comprehensive list of all the employers of interest in your community
3. Your Needs and Priorities: The list of your personal job and financial needs and priorities
4. Capabilities and Qualifications: A comprehensive list and descriptions of your capabilities and qualifications
5. Additional Education and Training: The specific additional training and education required to qualify for jobs of great interest that may warrant the investment of time and money

What’s Next: Résumés and Cover Letters
That’s it for thinking about what you want to do for work. I hope you will start a “Job Search” binder to organize the material you produce and gather during your job search. Next we’ll address preparing your résumé and cover letters.