The New World of Job Searching -
Part 2 - What Do You Want to Do?
By Robert Skladany,
RetirementJobs.com Chief Career Coach
"I Need a Job and I Don’t Know Where to Start"
Many age 50+ job seekers are not simply searching for a job. Often they are coping with poor health and disabilities, personal and family difficulties, physical dislocation, care-giving for parents, and financial problems – and often several of these burdens simultaneously. In the best of times, looking for a job is hard and unpleasant work. For many, it is a near-overwhelming challenge. So what to do?
Identify Jobs of Interest
You must start your journey with a destination – you must identify several possible jobs to aspire to. Don’t worry about whether or not you’re qualified yet – some of your choices may require that you complete necessary training and education. Make a list of every job you can think of that has any level professional or personal interest.
Look around your community for ideas. Who are the major employers? They could be retailers, manufacturers, transportation companies, grocery stores, banks, state and local government, personal care aides, healthcare, and schools. Go to the library or book store and scan through books about careers and occupations. Make an appointment with a career counselor at your state Career One Stop (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/Work. Visit you local community college’s vocational counseling office. They can discuss career options as well as job requirements and qualifications.
For some, this may mean continuing in a primary career, and for others it may mean an occupational or career change. For still others, 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
Okay, now list the jobs that appeal to you. Next to each, list several possible employers in your community that may offer such a job. Be sure to include a few major temporary staffing firms such as Manpower, Robert Half, Express Employment, Adecco and Kelly. 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, health and retirement income benefits while employed by a staffing firm.
The jobs on your list should ideally be ones 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
You also need to prioritize the personal and financial needs fulfilled by your possible jobs. What are your earning requirements (and what are your qualifications worth in the labor market); is it important that he job provide health benefits; do you have travel limitations; how important is work schedule flexibility, do you have physical limitations; must the job provide pension or savings plan benefits?
So, those are the considerations. List about eight to ten jobs that are available in your community, meet your needs and priorities and you are qualified, or could become qualified, for.
Play to Your Strengths – Capabilities and Qualifications
While you may get hired on just your good looks, most of us will need proven knowledge, skills and capabilities. 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 as well as 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?
And 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 to qualify for it and then make a decision if 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 – and 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.
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 you can quickly. 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:
- Jobs of Interest – Eight to ten jobs that most appeal to you
Potential Employers – A comprehensive list of all the employers of interest in you community
- Your Needs and Priorities – List your personal job and financial needs and priorities
- Capabilities and Qualifications – A comprehensive list and descriptions of your capabilities and qualifications.
- 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 – Resumes and Cover Letters
That’s it for thinking about what you want to do for work. I hope you will start a "Job Search" ring binder to organize the material you produce and gather during your job search. The next article will appear in two weeks and is tilted, "Preparing Your Resume and Cover Letters." In preparation, it would be helpful if you take out your current resume or summary of work background and be prepared to compare it to the resume guidelines and format samples featured in the next article.
Job Search Resources
Go to AARP.org/Work (link) or RetirementJobs.com (link) for resources and information about performing a job search. Check your library or book store for material on job searches but make sure it’s not a 30-year old book. If you have pressing questions, please submit them to me at "Got a Career Question? I’ll try to answer as many as possible in upcoming columns and journals. Thanks.
Robert Skladany is a Human Resources consultant, executive, educator and author. He has focused his career on the issues of mature and retired workers and the particular value they bring to the workplace and to employers in search of stable, productive and positive employees.
