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November 9, 2008
Thomas and Edna Monroe realized they needed to return to work.
"Things got a little tough around here. My present income wasn't keeping up with the economy," Mr. Monroe said.
Realizing their retirement pay wasn't enough to make ends meet, they went back to work in July at Elmcroft Assisted Living in Martinez. Mr. Monroe, 58, also took a job at ResCare HomeCare in Augusta.
Mr. Monroe, an Army veteran, worked in security and youth detention centers before retiring from the work force in 2004. His wife, 56, hadn't worked for four years.
Across the nation, many senior citizens are being forced out of retirement because of the higher cost of living.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers age 65 and older are expected to account for 6.1 percent of the labor force in 2016, an increase from 3.6 percent in 2006.
Emily Leckie, the employment-training coordinator for Experience Works Senior Employment Program in Augusta, said her office has been flooded with new applicants.
Because of the increased demand, there is a temporary enrollment freeze for seniors who want assistance finding a job, Ms. Leckie said.
"It's rare that we have someone who just wants to get out of the house. They need the money," she said.
Many people either couldn't save for retirement or didn't realize they were going to need so much money to live, she said.
Experience Works, the oldest and largest employment-training program for older workers, provides training and job-search assistance for people age 55 and older. To qualify, applicants must also be unemployed and have a low-to-moderate income.
The Augusta-Aiken office on Telfair Street contracts with local agencies that provide work force training for senior applicants. While they are in training, seniors receive subsidized pay, which is funded through the Older Americans Act.
The Monroes became certified nursing assistants through Experience Works. The six-week program is one of the most popular areas of training, Ms. Leckie said.
"You'd be surprised how many people are still interested at that age. One thing we find is that employers in the home health industry want older workers," she said. Seniors often have "a better work ethic, are honest and dependable, and believe in doing a day's work for a day's pay."
Ms. Leckie recommends that seniors look for jobs in their previous field of employment. With the approaching holiday season, retail stores might have available positions, she said.
Many older workers, however, find that their skills are becoming obsolete, especially in the clerical field. This provides additional employment-search challenges at a time when job competition is high.
Seniors also can seek training at the Department of Labor or their library.
Age discrimination is subtle, but it still exists. Many hiring managers are younger, and they don't see the value in older workers, said L.R. Boyce, an employment specialist at AARP Foundation WorkSearch in Atlanta, which provides job-search assistance for Atlanta-area senior citizens.
"We can't prove it a lot of times, but we know that it does happen," Mr. Boyce said.
It's important for seniors to age-proof their rÃsumÃs. Ms. Leckie recommends that they list their most current work history, and rather than including their graduation dates for high school or college, simply list where they attended school.
"You can't sell yourself unless you can get your foot in the door," Ms. Leckie said.
Next, seniors shouldn't be intimidated by younger bosses, but neither should they try to intimidate them.
"You have to learn to work with people of all generations," she said.
It is important for seniors to realize their limitations, such as being able to stand for long periods of time or lift heavy objects.
The best way to find employment is networking, Ms. Leckie said. Seniors should tell their family and friends they are looking for a job.
Last, Ms. Leckie advises seniors not to get discouraged during their job search. During interviews, they should emphasize their strengths and explain to employers that "they plan to be there for a while."
"In most cases, older workers are not trying to move up the ladder, and they don't need to have benefits, which is of value to employers," Ms. Leckie said.
Many seniors aren't trying to make top dollar and attain high-ranking positions, which most employers might also find beneficial.
"They just need to make some money to supplement their Social Security or pension," she said.
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