Four Factors that Hamper Older Job Seekers

by Marjorie Dorfman | More from this Blogger

29 Sep 2006 09:45 AM

America's work force is aging rapidly. Mature adults are not only the fastest growing demographic segment of the population, they are also the fastest growing consumer group buying computers and logging on. With today's medical and technological advances, people are living longer after they retire than ever before, but are healthy enough to continue working. The demand for employment services by older workers is expected to increase steadily over the course of the next twenty years. Still, the senior job seeker has it tougher than others and the following four factors seem to be the primary culprits.

1. Despite better education and years of training, many seniors are forced into job opportunities that involve repetitive and menial tasks. This is understandably demoralizing. 2. Finding work has become more and more difficult for senior workers because companies are constantly cutting back their work force by forcing their aging employees into an early retirement with deals known as "golden handshakes." 3. The competition for jobs is fierce, and seniors are forced to vie for positions with younger men and women who are also looking for work as well as with other older workers. 4. It is difficult for most older workers to find work hours that suit them. Many retired people, don't want the long hours of arriving early and leaving late because they have paid their dues, so to speak. Flexible work schedules are preferred by older workers and not as easy to come by as they should be.

So whether you call them baby boomers, seniors, mature workers, older job seekers or anything else for that matter, it is time for the needs of the aging worker (isn't that all of us?) to be addressed.

Do you hear me out there in corporate America land?

It's time!

Do YOU have any thoughts on this subject? Please share. Related articles:

"The Modern Woman and The Job Force" http://forums.families.com/jobs,f122

Learn more about Marjorie Dorfman

Marjorie Dorfman is a freelance writer and former teacher originally from Brooklyn, New York.

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