Older Workers Worry About

the Prospect of Finding a New Job

by Jasmine Garsd at marketplace.org
 

Tom Lynch is an upbeat guy. He’s 75, and still has his job as an accountant in North Carolina. He gets to work from home. But even though he’s been able to hold onto a job so far, he’s not optimistic about what would happen if he lost it. “Beginning when I was 55, I was having trouble getting interviews,” he said. “I think I could find work, but I’d probably be working at 70%, 80% of what I make today.”

    More than 25 million Americans are receiving unemployment aid. And for many older workers, there is concern that if they join those ranks, they may not get another job at all.
 

For the first time in nearly 50 years, older workers face higher unemployment than their midcareer counterparts, according to a study released Tuesday by the New School university in New York City.

    The pandemic has wreaked havoc on employment for people of all ages. But researchers found that during its course, workers 55 and older lost jobs sooner, were rehired slower and continue to face higher job losses than their counterparts ages 35 to 54.
 

With more companies transitioning to long-term remote work every day, common remote work-from-home jobs are more plentiful than ever. Log in to FlexJobs today to find the remote job that’s uniquely suited for your skills, experience and goals…

    Check out our 2020 list of the top 100 remote-friendly companies to help you find your very own job search success.
 

Cathy is a 59-year-old Hotel Sales Director who has had a vert successful career until COVID hit and she lost her job. She has been job hunting for seven months and has applied to over 300 jobs. “No one is calling. No interviews, not even one email or inquiry. I’m so frustrated. Is the job market really that impossible right now?”

I coach people globally almost every day, as well as run virtual workshops via Zoom (though I do look forward to hitting the road again sometime soon). Here's what I've found are the traits and habits of professional services providers and entrepreneurs as well as job seekers who have been most successful over the past six pandemic-restricted months.

    • Perspective and optimism. They do not see the sky falling. They are more like Paul Revere than Chicken Little. Disney, Revlon, Netflix, Apple, and a host of powerful companies and ideas were launched during very tough times.

    • New and innovative approaches to existing ones. They are assertive in providing value, as Machiavelli said, "which suits the manner of the times." 

    • They offer help, not projects. They ask simply, "How can I be of help?" As George Merck admonished, "Do good and good will follow."

    • Fearlessness in calling and contacting buyers companies, colleagues and recommenders. This is a pelucid differentiator. When I ask, "Did you call 15  people since last week?" the best say, "I called 25" and the worst say, "I didn't get around to it."

    • They use resources wisely. There were savings or other assets set aside or there were readily liquid investments if needed.

    • Finally, they had a formal or (more likely) informal community. People were accustomed to talking, to meeting, to gaining value and insights. There was no need to try to construct one when people were already distracted. In fact, the community was a "go to" source for help and support.

    Nothing magical here, just talent, discipline, and working smart, pandemic or no pandemic.