55+ Worker No. 18: Words that Describe the Older Worker

MSN Money found that the most common words to describe the older worker were reliability, work ethic, customer service, emotional intelligence, loyalty, and experience. This is good news for many 55+ workers who are reentering the workforce or moving to a second career. However, recent statistics found that it does take awhile for anyone to land the perfect job. Understanding what organizations are looking for and the traits that are associated with your demographic are helpful things to know as this provides a basis for beginning a dialogue and the talking points necessary for negotiation.

55+ Worker No. 16: Interview Tip!

 

When you are on an interview, instead of talking about what went wrong in your previous organization, talk about what went right. This will help the organization that you are applying to understand that you are a person of loyalty and dedication. It is a good idea to keep scenarios brief and to the point concerning the less than positive aspects of your discharge from your former employer. The interview is a place to enhance you objectives and to give a recount of the personal improvements that you have made during this time of reflection.

55+ Worker No. 14: Mission and Core Values

The most important things to bring to an interview involves an appreciation for what you have accomplished and a general knowledge of the company and position in which you are applying. For example, bring your resume and reference list and don’t forget your sense of self and who you are, and the values that you hold dear. Sharing your mission and values is a wonderful way to begin a dialogue with a future employer. Be sure to come into the interview with a working knowledge of the employer’s mission and core values so that further discussion can develop concerning how the organizational mission and values will align with your work philosophy.

55+ Worker: What Are Human Resources Saying about the Older Worker?

55+ Worker No. 11: Temporary Christmas Jobs

Christmas employment may offer more than just temporary employment. It is often true that most temporary Christmas positions do not offer opportunities for permanent employment or advancement. However, approximately 20% of all temporary positions are converted to permanent employment. In addition, temporary positions may offer transferrable skills that might boost your resume. For example, working in retail can give you experience in customer service, commercial decision-making, working with deadlines or under pressure, multi-tasking, and working with technology.

55+ Worker No. 10: Never be on Time!

Have you ever considered never being on time when it comes to your daily start time for work? Experts say that it is a good idea to arrive 15 minutes early to allow for walk in time, time for stowing your personal items, time for last minute personal needs, and for clocking in on time. If you conducted all of these activities after your scheduled clock in time this could add up to big losses for your employer. Just think if every employee took 15 minutes to actually start their job each day: this could amount to 25 hours of unproductive time per month for each employee! Considering actual wages, loss in customer service, and productivity over a period of a year, we are looking at considerable losses in income and customer satisfaction associated with this poor work habit. Want to be competitive in a time of high unemployment? Consider never being on time to work, but 15 minutes early.      

55+ Worker No. 6: Performance Management

It is reasonable to conclude that it can be a little stressful when it is time for a performance review. There are things that you can do throughout the year to give you confidence that your review will be right on target. For example, periodically do a self-assessment concerning your work outputs to see if they are congruent with organizational goals. Although today’s work environment is similar to previous work periods concerning work ethic, dedication, and work productivity, today’s workforce also requires that the 55+ worker be ready for change. Chances are your review will also include readiness for change concerning strategic congruence, training, and industry trends.

55+ Worker No. 5: Working Retirement

Older workers who plan a “working retirement” may mean that a growing number of workers are transitioning into their second and third careers. Within certain careers, older workers may experience a career plateau unless they manage the issues associated with skill obsolescence. The good news is that research has found that today’s older workers are able to adapt, learn new skills, and master changing technology.  

Interestingly, as older workers finally exit the workforce, industries are scrambling to capture their unique knowledge and expertise. NASA is an example of an organization that has designed interviews to “capture knowledge” as their aging workforce exits the aerospace industry (Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhart & Wright, 2010).

55+ Worker No. 4: Part -Time Workers!

The 55+ workers returning to work are filling many part-time positions, because these positions offer many opportunities for both the worker and the employer. Recent research from Ohio State University found employers were more willing to take on workers in the age bracket of 55+ because research has found that the older the worker, the longer they remain available, and loyal to the organization. This helps to reduce hiring costs and improve retention, which is a win-win for the employee and the organization.

55+ Worker No. 3: Knowledge Workers!

An encore career can be exciting! Imagine working in an environment that suits your present knowledge and abilities. We all know that today's stakeholders understand that there is a direct link between organizational knowledge and ability and the bottom line. The secret is when best-fit knowledge workers are positioned in the right job at the right time. How do you know your best-fit? Contact a not-for-profit career counseling service to discover how your lifelong learning has expanded your job marketability.

55+ Worker No. 1: Rating the 55+ Employee

An Ohio State University study revealed what supervisors are saying about their workforce population of persons 55+. They found that in addition to an employee's skills and abilities, supervisors were rating their 55+ employees on a consistent basis using high appraisals that included such terms as efficient, cooperative, dependable, steady, conscientious, and tactful. Why are researchers interested in this data? Recent demographic trends are saying that over 19% of the workforce is over 55, and that as older workers adapt to changing market demand this statistic will continue to grow. The most reported reason for adults 55 and over to continue to work is that it provides financial stability and they find it intrinsically enjoyable.