Older Workers May Need Guidance When Searching for Jobs

As older workers consider changing jobs, they may face unique challenges due to their longer tenure at jobs and the evolving job market. New research from AARP highlights the most pressing needs of older job seekers and their readiness for job hunting.   

Among older adults planning to change jobs within the next year, 22 percent need help finding job opportunities, and 13% need assistance with writing or updating their résumés. Fewer older job seekers prioritize understanding how to get through applicant tracking systems (6 percent) or help finding career coaching (5 percent).

For older workers — those who are working or looking for work — two-thirds (65 percent) have taken no steps to prepare for job seeking in the last two years. Only 24 percent have updated their résumé, 22 percent have applied for a job, and 16 percent have gone on a job interview in the past two years.

This research suggests that older workers may need timely guidance when searching for a new job. To help meet those needs, AARP and Indeed are working together to help older workers find their next job with information, job postings, and resources.   

Methodology

Interviews were conducted April 10 to April 14, 2025 among 1,009 U.S. adults age 50-plus in the Foresight 50+ Omnibus. Funded and operated by NORC at the University of Chicago, Foresight 50+ is a probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. household population age 50 or older. Interviews were conducted online and via phone.  All data are weighted by age, sex, education, race/ethnicity, region, and AARP membership.

For more information, contact Rebecca Perron at rperron@aarp.org. For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.