BUSINESS: Coming to the library — tips for older job seekers

By John Saccenti, Staff Writer
  WEST WINDSOR —  For some job seekers, too much experience can be a detriment.
   That is the dilemma facing many people who are 50 and older and for various reasons find themselves suddenly in the job market.
   ”There are definitely people out there who are hurting and need jobs,” said certified retirement coach Carol King. “There also are people who have been laid off or early retired. Some of these people are very angry. They have had the rug pulled out from under them or they may have been comfortable for many years and suddenly its not there.”
   Ms. King says job older job seekers face a variety of obstacles when it comes to finding employment, including ageism. To help them meet the challenge, she will present Job Search Strategies for Older Workers at the West Windsor, Lawrence and Princeton libraries this fall.
   Sponsored by the Princeton Senior Resource Center, the program will address issues such as the changing structure of the job market, ageism in the job market, using the internet for job searches and networking, and avoiding job search scams on the internet.
   ”Some people have never written a resume on a computer. What do you include? What don’t you include,” said Susan Hoskins of PSRC. “We’re also trying to fight bias. Why is it that more people over 50 are losing their jobs? Sometimes it’s bias, a lot of employers think older workers don’t know the technology, or cost more for health benefits. But I think that discredits their wisdom and experience. I find that a lot of older workers can adapt better than younger workers.”
   Ms. King said older job seekers are at a double disadvantage because they haven’t been on the job market for some time, which could mean out of date resumes, and an inability to conduct job searches on the internet.
   ”The jobs that are there are posted online,” said Ms. King. “Other’s aren’t posted at all. Professionals call it the hidden job market. It’s about who you know to get you through the door. A lot of people don’t think about networking. This is one issue. People need to get out of your house and go do things. Get to know people, or dig up people you used to know.”
   Others also may lack the job skills needed in the current market.
   ”They may think they have the skills, but they don’t have the skills to compete with those younger workers,” said Ms. King, a former professor at Temple University and a West Windsor resident.
   Job Search Strategies for Older Workers will be held at the West Windsor Public Library on Sept. 17 at 7 p.m.; the Lawrence Library at 7 p.m. Sept. 30; and at the Princeton Library at 7 p.m. Oct. 20. The seminar is part of the Engaged Retirement program, which focuses on employees between 55 and 70 years old. Engaged Retirement is supported by the NRG Energy Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation.
   PSRC also will sponsor a conference on Oct. 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. titled Retire ment in 3D. For more information, contact Ms. King or Ms. Hoskins at the Princeton Senior Resource Center, 609-924-7108, or e-mail at mailto:[email protected]@princetonsenior.org.
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