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Hunt for retirement
jobs stepped up in bad economy
It sounds like an oxymoron, but the concept of working in retirement is fast
becoming the norm for many older citizens - forced by dwindling financial
resources and a recessionary economy to stay in or return to the job market.
Longer life spans and a desire to remain productive already had begun pushing the
number of older workers higher. Now the financial crisis is accelerating
interest in working later, with career sites and organizations for seniors and
older workers reporting a surge in job-hunting efforts.
AARP, the nation's largest advocacy group for older Americans, saw dramatic
evidence of the trend in September when more than 2,000 people attended its
annual job fair in Washington, D.C., more than double the previous year's
attendance. The job seekers included many who had been recently laid off and
retirees worried about the economy and the pressure on their limited resources.
Workers age 65 and over are expected to account for 6.1 percent of the labour
force by 2016, up sharply from 3.6 percent in 2006, according to the U.S. Bureau
of Labor Statistics. A market for retirement jobs essentially emerged a decade
or so ago. Now postings for those at or approaching retirement age are an
important and growing phenomenon in the labour market, as evidenced by online job
boards that include RetirementJobs.com, RetireeWorkforce.com and
Seniors4Hire.org.
Looking for work in an economic downturn can be challenging, but it's easier
today than it used to be. Those who are in or near retirement and are looking
for work can find online resources that may prove invaluable as the ongoing
financial crisis drives many back to the workplace. Here are just a few of the
many online resources for retirees or anyone 50 or older looking for part-time
or full-time work.
RetirementJobs.com has more than 30,000 listings from companies specifically
seeking candidates older than 50. Retirement Jobs also partners with AARP.
RetiredBrains.com is a resource for seniors including present or soon to be
retirees who are looking to find jobs, volunteer opportunities, educational
resources and retirement information.
Retirement-Jobs-Online.com offers advice about online retirement jobs, helping
retirees evaluate ways to use the Internet to find work. AARP offers a job
search engine, at http://jobs.aarp.org, and a
National Employer Team, at
www.aarp.org/employerteam, which lists employers that are recruiting older
workers. SeniorJobBank.org is a site where older job seekers can search by
category, industry or location, post resumes and register for a job-search
agent. Seniors4Hire.org is another online career centre and job bank with
openings posted by businesses actively recruiting the 50-and-older population.
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