Seniors in the Workplace

Senior Employment Can Be A Golden Prize!

By: Raymond Angus

Do you want senior employment? Are you 50 years of age or older and hoping and praying to land a job? Whatever your motivation to find work is, welcome to a labor market seemingly tilted against senior employment seekers. But take heart! Golden opportunities now abound for senior job seekers and the ball is in their court.

There's great news for you and dire warnings for all the critics. Newspapers trumpet headlines about seniors citizens unable to get even minimum pay jobs. Employment fairs advertise work for anyone breathing, but they're generally low paying $10-$12 openings. The young people staffing the application desks at these fairs seem to be mentally jotting down your age when you ask for a sign up sheet.

Why is this good news? Because contrary to appearances, The United States is on the brink of an incredible labor shortage. Well respected economists predict a huge labor shortage that is making itself felt even at this moment in time. How big a labor shortfall is looming on the horizon? Some estimates run as high as 10 million unfilled positions by the year 2010. Millions of senior employees are rapidly nearing retirement. At the same time fewer and fewer younger people are coming of age to fill the vacuum.

Many astute business executives of today are growing keenly aware of the worker shortfall on the horizon. Even Congress is now taking notice of the coming labor shortage. Legislation is being discussed now to provide tax credits to companies opening up flexible senior employment work schedules. All for senior employees 62 years of age or older. The icing on the cake is that health and pension benefits will be included. Be optimistic if you're an individual seeking senior employment!

With a little homework, preparation and a small dash of creativity, you can get excellent work for yourself right now. Don't be surprised at all the opportunities out there. You'll discover that there are a lot of options for you to choose from, more than you ever dreamed of. You won't have to settle for just any old job that's offered. Take out a piece of paper right now and begin jotting down a list of jobs you'd like to have. And please underline the word like. Along with it, write out your work experience and what you want to do.

If you're a senior employment seeker, then you've earned a lot of experience in many different areas over the years. Don't forget to put in your hobbies too! You'd be surprised at what things like fishing and bowling can add to your job description. And this is a campaign just as important as any battle waged by the general of an army. Do you like reading about sports and politics? Add those to the mix too!

Now, when you've finished the list decide what type of jobs you'd like to have. No matter how far afield from what you've worked at in the past. Meditate about it until you come up with several possibilities. And remember, the sky's the limit. When you've decided on a few jobs you'd be happy doing, research the businesses that offer senior employment. Then call them and get the names of the managers that do the hiring.

Finally, make out a brief resume of your work history. Now is where creativity comes into the picture. Compose a short, single page cover letter. Make it brief, and don't just rehash the things you listed in your resume. On the cover letter, itemize what you've done to warrant hiring you for the position you want. Be truthful, but tell them what you can do to fulfill the job's bottom line. You'll be surprised, because the cover letter is often the deciding factor in hiring. When you've finished, make a personal visit to the business and ask to see the hiring manager. It's a good idea to call first and make an appointment if possible. Don't hesitate to make an unannounced visit if needed though. Whatever the outcome of the meeting, leave a copy of your resume and cover letter.

Within the next three days, if you haven't heard back from the hiring manager, call on the phone and ask for him/her. The follow up phone call will demonstrate your desire for the job. Most personnel specialists agree that this course of action is one of the most effective methods to acquire senior employment. Even if the company isn't advertising an opening, it can often lead to a job in an anticipated opening in the future.

Don't believe the only job you can get is flipping burgers or packing groceries. You have talents and experience that companies are hungry for now, and you're valuable. As a person seeking senior employment, you also come equipped with an old fashioned work ethic not in over abundance in today's workplace. Pick out the type of work you want to do...and go for it!

Be assured, the national and local labor markets now realize that being a senior employment applicant carries with it added experience, talent and knowledge.

About the Author

Raymond Angus is a widely read author of articles and books. He writes about fellow seniors and their world. To read more of his writing visit: http://www.theseniorslife.com

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