Right Fit Leading: Thoughts for Older Job Seekers and Employers

Some guidance for people 50 and over who are seeking employment centers around the need for more training and employment services. This approach has been well documented, including an Urban Institute article in 2011, “Can Unemployed Older Workers Find Work?” While this is necessary for many job seekers, there are just as many job seekers who need no training or employment services. They need an opportunity.

There is another great initiative on the part of many people offering networking services and increased social media connections to assist in the job search. This is a welcome and necessary undertaking, but there is a constant that can interfere with its effectiveness. When the person that the prospective employee is connected to does not have a job to offer, it is often just a conversation. The most effective connection, then, is when someone has a job to offer and is connected to someone who will take it right away. That is the connection that is needed based on our current conversation.

Without considering job seekers who are changing careers, there may also be questions that prospective employers ask themselves about older workers. How long will the person stay with us? How long is the person planning to continue working before retiring? How will the person fit with younger workers? These are all valid questions, but they should not be disqualifying. More important, the questions could be posed equally, with minor changes, for younger job seekers.

No one has all the answers to finding a job, but I hope some of these issues are something to consider. I hope you will share your thoughts with me or take my survey.