Media, PA, January. 27, 2010:

 

By Diane Prokop
Times Staff Writer

 

Almost 2 million unemployed workers in this country are over the age of 55.

 

Unfortunately, it takes this age bracket about a year - more than twice the average of all unemployed workers - to find jobs, according to a recent study by Experience Works, a nonprofit organization that helps older workers with job assistance and training.

 

In addition to increased competition for jobs and a poor economy, another obstacle hampering mature workers is perception - that older workers resist change and can't learn new things, that older workers are less productive and that younger workers are less expensive.

 

The PA CareerLink office in the Academy Plaza shopping center assists an average of 1,500 people per month, including a high volume of people over 40, overcome these obstacles. The office is an arm of the Commonwealth Workforce Development System.

 

"Career counseling can help overcome some of the barriers," said office director Joyce Cerubo.

 

CareerLink services include assessment of job skills, job search assistance, career counseling, interviewing techniques, resume clinic, job club and basic computer classes.

 

Each center has a Career Resource Area where computers are offered to conduct job searches, faxing/copying/printing, access to the Mavis Beacon Typing Tutorial, job-search Web sites, job fair and recruitment fliers, social services fliers, health-care information, etc.

 

Tips on resumes, creating skill resumes and not putting all of your work history on it, direct feedback on how to answer questions, creating a cover letter, and how to create that 30-second commercial are valuable tools to get off the unemployment roll.

 

Cerubo suggests mature workers stay positive, forget the age and sell their skills to prospective employers.

Another good tip for online job applications is to print out the online application and fill it in with pencil before completing it on the computer.

 

"A lot of software packages have a time limit per screen," Cerubo said. "(The software tracks) how quickly they can respond to the question."

 

Job-hunters need to work their search like a full-time job, according to John McAvey, a managing partner for the Media-based Relevante, a finance and technology-consulting firm.

 

The days of "posting and praying," - posting your resume on job sites and hoping to be contacted for a job - are over, according to McAvey. He suggests taking advantage of all available networking resources.

 

"Volunteering in your local community, utilizing social media Web sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook, and even applying for an unpaid internship in a new field can be a great way to get your foot in the door," McAvey said.