The New World of Job Searching

RetirementJobs.com Staff Writers
An 8 Part Series For Finding a Job at 50+

Introduction
If you're 50 or older, wish to work in retirement, and haven't had the experience of searching for a job in recent years, you're in for a real surprise.

You don't need a pencil, pen, typewriter, fax machine, envelopes or stamps much anymore. That's the good news. The bad news is that you will need to know how to prepare an online resume, research job openings, research employers, submit applications and keep track of your application. It's becoming more common that companies will only accept applications over the internet.

The new world of job searching can be impersonal, frustrating, even infuriating. Sorry. Unless you find a plant, store or office where you can walk in and fill out an application (and there are a few great companies where you can), you are now in the internet age of looking for a job.

Our 8 Part Job Search Series If you are searching for a job, you need to understand how job searching is done today. This introduction is the first in a series of eight articles. This material is taken from RetirementJobs.com's "Over 50 and Looking for a Job? A Workshop for Job Seekers." We'll describe the subject of each article and provide a few useful guidelines to get you started.

Do You Really Want Paid Work?
This may sound pretty basic, but first you have to decide if and why you need or want to work. You may be age 50 to 60+, recently laid off, and eager to resume your primary occupation. We refer to your situation as "involuntarily retired." You may be 50 or older and seeking to try a new occupation because you've been laid off, retired or just decided you need a change. We call this situation being "rewired" or a career changer.

We are living longer, are generally in better health, and many people still have major debts and mortgages as they approach age 60 to 63 - the "traditional" retirement age. If you need to work, there's no sense in analyzing things any further. Prepare to continue your current occupation or start thinking about what kind of other work you would prefer and are qualified to perform.

Now here's a real puzzler: many older workers continue to work even if they don't need to.  This is actually a very smart decision, and so we encourage you to keep working, even it is not 50 to 60 hours per week. Working is (generally) good for your health. It keeps you socially active. Your savings continue to grow a little longer. Social security retirement payments will increase if you delay onset of payments beyond age 62. Many believe it's a chance to "give back" by transferring their knowledge and life's lessons. It may be volunteer work for the sheer joy of contributing. Finally, many older workers just don't want to stop working!