At 79 years old, Betty* wants nothing more than to re-enter the workforce. She is confident that her skills as a former bookkeeper and business owner are as sharp as ever and could come in handy for a company needing extra help—especially when tax season rolls around again. However, as she begins her search for senior jobs, she quickly notices that things have changed since she retired over a decade ago.
Job search tips and advice aren’t difficult to find, but she feels like an outsider looking in. She doesn’t know what hiring managers want or how to get their attention. Furthermore, much of the advice she’s finding online is geared toward younger professionals or those with jobs who want to make a career change. She can’t help but ask, “What about jobs for seniors re-entering the workforce?”
The Pew Research Center indicates that the older workforce has nearly quadrupled in size since the mid-1980s. Older adults are also projected to account for 57% of labor force growth by 2032.
The search for senior jobs can pose big challenges, especially for those who have been out of the workforce for a while. That said, there is hope for valuable employees like Betty. Many employers realized long ago that the 65-and-up crowd has much to offer. In fact, the Pew Research Center indicates that the older workforce has nearly quadrupled in size since the mid-1980s. Older adults are also projected to account for 57% of labor force growth by 2032.
The trick for people like Betty is understanding what hiring managers are looking for so that their resume stands out.
Benefits to Seniors of Re-Entering the Workforce
- Professional development
- The chance to up-skill
- Personal fulfillment
- Enhanced quality of life
- Improved self-esteem and confidence
- Social engagement and combatting isolation
- New challenges and learning opportunities
- The ability to share knowledge with younger generations
- Challenging stereotypes
- Keeping up with industry trends
- Additional source of income
Despite the positive trend of an older workforce, senior jobs can be difficult to come by. Having access to the right tools and educating seniors on ways to maximize their chances of getting hired is important.
8 Tips for Re-entering the Workforce With Success
While finding jobs for seniors re-entering the workforce can be overwhelming, employers nationwide see this older population as having a lot going for it. For starters, today’s older adults tend to have higher education levels than those of the past. Sure, they may have been retired for the past 5, 10, or 15 years, but their resumes show that they completed college, went on to graduate school, and perhaps earned an advanced degree such as MBA or PhD According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, seniors with more education are more likely to be employed.
With education comes decades of experience, institutional knowledge, versatility, and transferrable skills, which can quickly make an older candidate a strong option for several organizational roles rather than one. Many senior citizens also have a strong work ethic. They’re reliable and punctual, can fix problems that the younger generation may not be able to fix, and will stick around longer. This means reduced turnover rates, increased stability, and a more diverse and balanced workforce for companies.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, seniors with more education are more likely to be employed.
So, how do you stand out as an older adult re-entering the workforce? The following tips can help.
- Embrace your diversity — Think of your age as an asset any company would be thrilled to leverage. If you see it as an advantage over being younger and less experienced, the senior jobs employer will, too.
- Showcase your accomplishments — Avoid relying solely on a basic chronological breakdown of your job history on your resume. Instead, structure it with a clear narrative that puts your achievements and accolades front and center. It should be clear what you bring to the organization.
- Know yourself and your skills — Beyond accomplishments, take an inventory of the skills you developed during your previous time in the workforce (i.e., customer service, accounting, event planning, office management, leadership) and how they apply to the senior jobs you’d be best suited for.
- Search advertised job openings — Hundreds of job openings are posted online through job boards, company websites, company newsletters, local newspapers, social media, and various other career portals. Once you see something you’re interested in, ensure it’s not an older listing and respond immediately.
- Leverage people you know — It is estimated that 70-80% of job openings and jobs for seniors aren’t advertised online to the general public. There are many reasons, including the reality that many companies might prefer to hire someone referred to them. This is where your network of friends, family, neighbors, former co-workers, people from church, etc., can help.
- Think about where you’re valued — The number of seniors in the workplace may be high, but age is often viewed as a potential liability rather than an asset. To combat this, explore industries where your experience and institutional knowledge will be valued. For instance, caregiver roles, healthcare, education, nonprofit work, etc.
- Be Ready for the in-person interview — When you do get a chance to interview, it’s important that you know as much about their organization as they should know about you. Learn as much as you can about the company and the job you’re applying for. Listen, ask questions, and be thorough in your responses.
- Up-skill with technology classes — Basic computer skills and other technology skills are in high demand right now, so keeping up with these trends opens you up to more opportunities, ensures you remain relevant, and makes you adaptable to changes in the job market. It’s also great for personal development.
Maximize Your Opportunities: Senior Jobs Do Exist
Finding a job is important for adults of all ages. For a senior, it’s even more challenging. This is where The Senior Source can help. If you’ve been out of the job-hunting market for a while and are looking for senior jobs, you’ll soon learn everything has changed. On the other hand, more and more employers are realizing that older employees have much to offer, including experience and reliability. You’ll maximize your chances once you understand what hiring managers look for and how they choose employees today. With the right tools, you can be successful!
We can help you stand out from the stack of resumes by providing resume and interview preparation, resources and referrals, access to computers for job searches, and our free technology classes.
We Are a Resource for Seniors Re-entering the Workforce
Seniors deserve to have opportunities to lead happy and fulfilling lives as they age. For many of the people we work with, having a job is a big part of that mission. Let us help prepare you for your job search as a senior re-entering the workforce. Our senior employment services run the gamut and are led by a strong, compassionate team of educators ready and willing to help.
When it comes to Dallas older adults, whether you are a family caregiver, a service provider, or a senior citizen yourself, having a reliable resource is invaluable. The Senior Source in Dallas, Texas, is dedicated to supporting older adults. We empower active seniors to live purposeful lives and protect vulnerable seniors. Our advocacy ensures that everyone’s rights are upheld as they age, and we strive for financial and emotional well-being for all.
The seniors and families we assist are diverse, and so are our services. The Senior Source delivers efficient and effective solutions, fostering a welcoming culture for employees and continuously expanding our influence.
Embrace the future of aging with us. Contact us at 214-823-5700 or complete the contact form to learn about our services. We are here to assist you.
*Client names and/or photos may be changed to protect confidentiality.
