Mature Workers Starting Over in Their Job Search
Today’s job market has thrown workers of all ages for a loop, but a new CareerBuilder study reveals that mature workers, age 55 and older like yourselves, have been hit particularly hard. Only 28 percent of workers in your demographic have found work within 12 months of being laid off, compared to 71 percent of workers aged 25-34. As a result, older workers are expanding their job search to entry-level positions, internships, relocation and other options to secure gainful employment – and employers are open to it.
“Mature workers offer a wealth of knowledge and experience that has translated into a significant competitive advantage for employers,” said Rosemary Haefner, Vice President of Human Resources at CareerBuilder. “Employers are considering mature job candidates for a variety of positions ranging from entry-level to senior-level to consultants to leverage their intellectual capital and mentor other workers. Twenty-nine percent of employers have hired a worker age 50 or older for a permanent position within their organization over the last six months.”
Overqualified
Sixty-three percent of workers age 55 and older who were laid off in the last 12 months said they have applied for jobs below the level at which they were previously employed. But, the major issue that seasoned job seekers face in their job search is being deemed as “overqualified” for a position. Employers assume that because you have experience, you will be dissatisfied with your pay; bored/unmotivated in the position; or, you’ll leave the second a better job comes along. Forty-four percent of workers age 55 and older have been told they are overqualified, according to the survey.
Starting over
Despite being told you’re overqualified, you’ve got to do something to get your foot in the door, so now, you’re competing with recent college graduates and other new entrants to the work force for entry-level positions.
- 26 percent of employers have received applications from workers over the age of 50 (whom aren’t retired) for entry-level jobs
- 11 percent have received entry-level applications from retirees
- 65 percent of employers said they would consider experienced candidates who apply for jobs for which they’re overqualified
Internships
Internships are another avenue mature workers are exploring in their job search: 7 percent of employers said that mature workers have applied for internships at their organizations.
- Four percent of employers have hired mature workers
- 55 percent would be willing to consider mature workers for internships
Relocation
Moving to a new city is another option for some older workers: 41 percent of those who were laid off in the last 12 months and did not find a new job stated they would consider relocating to another city or state to find employment.
Entrepreneurship
As a result of the challenging job market, many older workers have opted to start their own businesses: 23 percent of mature workers who were laid off in the last 12 months and haven’t found a job are considering starting their own business.
Postponing retirement
Employers are also receiving requests from staff members to stay with the company longer. Twenty-one percent of employers said that in the past six months, current employees approaching retirement age have asked them to postpone their retirement. Of that 21 percent, the vast majority (86 percent) said their organizations are open to postponing retirements, pointing to the following benefits:
- Employers want to hold on to their intellectual capital (65 percent)
- Mature workers can help train and mentor others (61 percent)
- Mature workers know how to weather a tough economy (42 percent)
- Employers have more time to transition responsibilities (36 percent)
For more information on mature workers, visit PrimeCB.com, CareerBuilder’s job search site tailored for mature workers and retirees.
July 23rd, 2009 at 5:52 pm
I have 2 comments:
1. The provides a quote,” “Employers are considering mature job candidates for a variety of positions ranging from entry-level to senior-level to consultants to leverage their intellectual capital and mentor other workers. Twenty-nine percent of employers have hired a worker age 50 or older for a permanent position within their organization over the last six months.”
I would LOVE to know this sampling. I wonder how seriously the employers “considered” the older applicants. I would also LOVE to know the types of jobs these people are filling, by distribution. My experience runs contrary to this.
2. As for being “overqualified” for a position. It is difficult to justify when you’ve applied for jobs from marketing manager to VP to president and get the same stupid excuse. And, by the way, it only comes when you are using a headhunter. They won’t tell you a thing if you are not. I firmly believe that this is the new code for “you’re too old” — so that we’re not supposed to find out that all of that age-related discrimination in hiring that doesn’t exist, does.
July 24th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Ken,
You’re right. What ever happened to “We love you’re experience in this field”, etc?
July 25th, 2009 at 7:05 am
As long as the EEOC and the federal govt say it is legal to discriminate based on age, that’s right, they have ruled that it is legal to discriminate based on age we are and will continue to be screwed when lay offs occur and in the hiring process.
July 27th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Has anyone had a positive experience with getting a lower level position? I’m finding I can’t make it past the initial screening because I don’t have a 4-year degree. It seems that even the companies that say they are “age friendly” aren’t hiring more experienced workers for lower level positions if they don’t have a degree. Since when does a 4-year degree take the place of real world experience?
July 28th, 2009 at 6:13 am
My excperience has been “Thank you for submitting your application but we are continuing to seek other applicants.”
July 28th, 2009 at 10:08 am
This is a nice sunny outlook, but far from reality. I have a 4 year college degree plus a law degree, 2007, but I’m not a legal “secretary” or a paralegal and the last attorney who told me I was “over qualified” graduated from the same law school as I did, we knew the same people and he even showed me the office and introduced me to the staff…before giving me the ax.
All an employer has to do is “google” either Raven West, (pen name) or Robin Westmiller, and they can read the over 32,000 “sites” my name pops up, but even with everything I’ve accomplished in the past, at age 55, I feel very “old”, because knowledge and experience means nothing to employers who have the “pick of the litter”. I couldn’t even get my old job back at Radio Shack.
But, tomorrow is another day.
July 28th, 2009 at 11:00 am
I left my city job of 19 loyal years. Moved to Tinley Park, problem
is I never drove a car so I have been trying to get any job near my
unit – there was a job posting at a near Jewel/Osco – they would not
takt my application. I had to go on line – never heard back? I also
asked to apply at CVS/Pharmacy just a block away walking distance –
they said they were hiring – but I had to go on line for the
application – did that but did not hear from them — I am a great
loyal dependable senior female that needs to do something
constructive with my time but can’t seem to find a solution. Any
ideas will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for any
suggestions.
September 16th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
I understand Nancy’s dilemma and it could easily have been mine. I lost my husband very suddenly to an infection he contracted in the hospital while being treated for pneumonia. That really put me in a tailspin! Then I could not find work…I lost our home!. Now, eighteen months later, I have nothing but rent receipts for the last nine months, no money, and everyone says “This is an entry level position. You will probably not stay when a position opens in your field”. I am not out to be the “Super Star”, mega achiever, “knock your socks off” office “one to admire and let her be your ideal”. I need work…I am honest, reliable, available to work any late hours to meet deadlines, intelligent, professional in every way; well groomed, mature, professionally dressed, great communication skills, and easy to get along with (generous to a fault I have been told), and will pitch in and help anyone at any time. HR professionals take one look at our resumes and cover letters and immediately determine that we are too expensive without even the courtesy of a preliminary telephone interview, let alone any time out of their precious day. HELP !?!?!?!
September 18th, 2009 at 8:27 am
There are two major problems when applying for any position being a mature candidate. But many other misconceived stereo type perceptions about mature workers.
1. The resume’ goes though a sort process via HR or a Placement Firm (Head Hunter) and they typically are younger with a lack of real world experience. So when they see a very full resume’ they think or say this person can’t have done all of this work. And the resume is rejected outright. Instead of saying this person’s experience could be very useful?
2. There is now a more recent trend to only want to look at the applicant’s last 3 years which is very puzzling to me. It tells me the corporations are prepared to do on the job training and because this person at a very much younger stage in his/her career the mistakes made are compensated for by the reduced pay and benefits. It is short term planning.
In any labor force it is important to have a diverse and balanced force that way each person learns for the other, and the risks to the company bottom line are reduced.
Finally the employers also forget the work ethic that comes from a mature worker.
November 20th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
I was laid off in 2001 and it was related to my request for flex time to undergo chemo for liver disease; instead they laid me off as a ‘business decision’. Well, I waited eight years on disability [SSA] which is about 1/5 of my old salary and finally got a new organ. Thank God! But, as I recover [slowly due to new chronic illness from the meds I take for anti-rrejection of the organ], I worry if I will have to go back to work, I am 55 with 32 years management experience up to VP level in sales, marketing and high tech industry. Have BA and MA. Who the heck is going to even call me in when they see a 9-10 years gap in employment? Then, If I am honest and say I was sick! Geez, no one will give me a chance. My family would have been better off if I died on the job in 2001!