1. Job Search Advice: Over 50 Job Seekers
Aug 9 2011 by Phil Rosenberg
The over 50 job seeker has a unique challenge – they may be the most discriminated
against segment of job seekers.
If you’re over 50, you experience this almost every time you interview, getting the
sensation that the company’s looking for someone younger … even if you’d be a more
effective and more loyal employee.
What if there were a better way?
What if you didn’t feel like you had to hide your age by leaving off graduation dates
(note: I don’t recommend this tactic – it backfires nearly every time) or neglecting to
mention the first 20 years of your work experience?
Well … There is a better way. Instead of applying to companies where the founder (and
most of the staff) are 1/2 your age, look for companies who actively seek more senior
employees.
They are out there, you just need to know where to look.
Before I tell you where to look, I want to give some advice about how to use this
information. Don’t use these job boards to apply to jobs – by the time they are listed, it’s
too late.
Instead, use these top job boards for 50+ candidates for research, to help you build a
target list of 50+ friendly companies that have hiring budgets. Use the list to see which
companies are hiring, then expand that list to include:
1. Competitors
2. Customers (if B2B)
3. Others companies in the industry
4. Vendors to these companies
5. Other companies who serve the same client base
Why does this work? I don’t know the specific companies on these job boards. But
here’s what I do know … If these companies want 50+ employees, there’s got to be a
reason why. The biggest reason why is because their customers are age 50+.
I recommend you use these job boards to create a target list of companies in your area
who are 50+ friendly, by expanding the list as I’ve shown above.
But instead of applying to jobs through these job boards, get ahead of the curve and
give your self a fighting chance by working the Hidden Job Market – to learn more see:

2. http://www.recareered.com/blog/2010/08/04/the-elusive-hidden-job-market-12-ways-to-
find-a-hidden-job-2/ .
Here are the 9 best job boards for job seekers over 50, listed by lifegoesstrong.com –
and I added one more to make it an even 10:
“The average age of the American workforce is increasing, and many older workers are
working beyond the traditional retirement age which means that nearly half of our
workforce is now over 50. Yes, really.
Contrary to what some think, many companies know the value of older workers, and so
more resources for recruiting and retaining over-50 workers are appearing.
It’s understandable why companies will pursue mature candidates. As a rule, older
workers:
Are more reliable. Most over-50s have stable lives, no young kids at
home, know how to get to work on time, and are less likely to call in sick.
Stay longer. Hiring and training a new employee is a major expense, and
older workers have about one-third the rate of turnover of younger
employees.
Have a stronger work ethic. Older workers are used to having to perform
well on the job, and are more likely to over-perform than younger workers.
Few older workers are slackers.
Require less training. Younger workers may need basic training in things
like customer service skills, but experienced workers have more “been
there, done that” experience to draw on, so they can be productive faster.
Require less supervision. More experience and an old-fashioned work
ethic produces a more responsible employee.
Are better with customers. Mature workers generally have better
communication skills and confidence with customer contact.
Are flexible with hours. Many older workers prefer part-time schedules,
and are willing to work on Friday and Saturday nights.
Here are some job sites that focus on jobs and job search information for experienced
workers:
1. Seniors4hire.org got its start ten years ago as a nationwide career center
for job seekers 50 or older and the companies that want to recruit them.
Founder Renee Ward said, “At the time, some people were skeptical…
and then Walt Disney Resorts signed on because they wanted to hire
older workers for what they bring.” Competition has increased, but
Seniors4Hire still thrives with job listings from employers and the ability to
both post your resume and in the “Jobs Wanted” section.
2. Workforce50.com is the continuation of the Senior Job Bank, established
in 1974 with a mission of matching older workers with employers. The site

3. offers lots of resources for over-50 workers, and employers who are
looking for older, more experienced and wiser workers post jobs as well.
Their search function looks to be populated by the Indeed.com search
engine, though, so the jobs aren’t specifically aimed at midlifers.
3. RetirementJobs.com was founded in 2005 by a team of experts in the
hiring and online recruiting world who wanted to find age-friendly
employers best suited to older workers, and to match them with qualified
mature candidates. They created the CAFE (Certified Age Friendly
Employer) certification program for employers who meet certain standards
for workforce policies, training, compensation and benefits. Access to job
listings is free, and an upgraded plan is less than $5 a month.
4. Jobs 4.0 is a job board for candidates 40 and over. They don’t pull jobs
from other websites, and the companies that post with them are looking
specifically for experienced workers. With almost 3,000 active listings with
excellent companies, the focus at Jobs 4.0 is all about job listings.
5. RetiredBrains.com was founded in 2003 by Art Koff, an expert on
retirement topics and author of Invent Your Retirement Resources for the
Good Life. The site features information about finances, health care, pets,
volunteering and senior living. The Retirement Jobs section lets
jobseekers post their resume anonymously and view thousands of
temporary, part-time and full-time positions. There’s information about
starting your own business, too.
6. YourEncore.com is an international network of retired and veteran
scientists, engineers and product development experts who are assigned
to part-time projects for global clients like Procter & Gamble, Eli Lilly,
Boeing and General Mills. Product developers, market research
specialists, chemists, medical professionals, and technical experts should
check out this site for jobs that value their knowledge.
7. PrimeCB.com is a division of CareerBuilder.com, the nation’s largest job
site. They launched in early 2008, and the site is primarily filled with
advice and resources for experienced workers; job postings, and posting
your resume, are done through the main CareerBuilder.com site.
8. JobsOver50.com is a free service aimed at workers over 50. Part of the
GoliathJobs network, they partner with with schools and alma maters to
reach a verified candidate base, and leverage alumni-direct postings,
social networks and niche job boards.
9. NOWCC.org (National Older Worker Career Center) is a nonprofit
dedicated to expanding employment and shaping policy for workers 55
and over. They offer two programs for older workers in the fields of
environmental conservation and natural resource maintenance. There are
limited positions, and the pay isn’t high, but the jobs are reserved for 55+
candidates.
These are just of a few of the resources aimed specifically at midlife and
older workers; the growing list is a very good sign for the employment
future of those who plan to work for years to come.”

4. Original article from Over 50? Employers Are Looking for You by Leslie
Ayres
10. I’m adding #10 – SimplyHired.com: As I mentioned last year in
http://www.recareered.com/blog/2010/03/05/age-discrimination-job-search-
question-of-the-week/ , SimlyHired has a great filter to search for age 50+ friendly
companies.
Over 50′s – So now that you have all these great job boards … what are you going to do
with all that information?