Over 50 and Job Hunting?

Because of your age and experience, you have has a lot of options and a much better network of colleagues than younger workers. Needless to say, it's much better to look for a new job when you have one. But, whether or not you are currently employed, your age is still an advantage. Really!

Personal networking is still the best way to get a job! Most jobs are never even posted on the Web. You have built up a network of people who know and respect you. Leverage that network of colleagues and business acquaintances you've built up over the years! It's gold, and it's something that younger workers usually don't have!

Networking options:

Take advantage of that large network you have to track down that next job. Contact the people that you know and/or have worked with in your career. You are not asking for a job! You really are just looking for advice on what companies are good places to work; what companies are growing, where there might be opportunities for you.

You are simply asking colleagues and friends for advice and leads. Ask them where they would look for a job if they were in your shoes right now.

Sources:

• By age 50, you must know many people in your industry, professional and/or community. If you haven't already contacted some of these people, do it now! 
  
  
• If you've helped anyone get started in your industry or profession, helped them with their job search, or done them a favor, that's another group of contacts to explore.
  
  
• Did/do you belong to any school or business "alumni" groups? Colleges and universities have had them for years, particularly the schools supported by donations, and now groups are developing based on common background working for a specific employer. Contact your schools (high school through graduate schools) to see what alumni services they offer. To find employer alumni groups, Google "former employees" (with the quotes) and add the company name or check the company Website for "alumni" or "retiree" information. Also, check Job-Hunt's list of corporate, government, and military alumni groups.
  
  
• Did/do you belong to any clubs, professional or industry organizations, Chambers of Commerce, or other collection of people who meet with each other on a regular basis? Keep going to those meetings; visit the web sites. Some organizations have jobs posted for their members (or by members for the public). See Job-Hunt's links to national and international associations which may have chapters meeting near you..
  
  
• Job search support groups have popped up everywhere, often associated with a church or Jewish Community Center (which usually provide non-denominational support). It's another way to extend your network as well as to get help staying "up" and learning new things about your local job market.  Job-Hunt.org has an extensive list of job search support groups, by state, for the U.S.
  
  
• Find people you've lost contact with via one of the Web "social networking" sites, like LinkedIn.com or Ziggs.com.

These are NOT "informational interviews," and you shouldn't feel too humble. You are just staying in touch colleagues and members of your business network. You may have helped them in the past, and you may help them again in the future.

These are just colleague to colleague discussions. Business as usual!

Job Sites:

If your network doesn't have any good leads at the moment, you can always check out sites on the Web for opportunities.

• Someone with several years of management experience can look for a job at the executive level, if that's interesting to you. Sites like http://www.careerjournal.com (free), http://www.ritesite.com (modest fee), and http://www.theladders.com (fee) specialize in those senior level positions.
  
  
• There are also job sites specifically for people over 50, like Workforce50 where employers are actually LOOKING for reliable people with experience and a good work ethic.
  
  
• Every state in the U.S. has a state employment office that offers help for people out of work, including training and job counseling.  If you are a Vet, you may be entitled to additional support, too.  Find your state's Employment office from Job-Hunt's list of state employment offices by state.
  
  
• Job-Hunt has nearly 7,000 employers and online job resources by state (like local newspaper classifieds, colleges and universities, city and state governments, hospitals, banks, high tech, manufacturing, etc.).
  
  
• Check out Craigslist.org which is a giant set of online classified ads sites, organized by location (city, state, or country).  It lists both jobs and "gigs" (which are short term jobs). The postings are in reverse chronological order, with the newest at the top. Pick your location out of the states and countries in the right columns of the home page. See Job-Hunt's Guide to Using Craigslist to Find a Job article for ideas about leveraging Craigslist and also a couple of cautions.
  
  
• Mega job site Indeed.com can be extremely useful if you want to take a look to see what's available "in the market." Indeed collects job postings from employers as well from job sites like Monster, CareerBuilder, and even Craigslist. See Job-Hunt's Guide to Using Indeed to Find a Job.

Don't be discouraged! A job search is never easy, but you'll make it. Your network, knowledge and experience, and solid skills and work ethic will see you through to a successful conclusion.

Good luck!

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Article by Susan P. Joyce, Job-Hunt's editor and senior job hunter

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