In the current economy of record unemployment, job-seekers are looking for resources to launch them back into employment. As the Director of the Senior Employment Program at The Senior Source, Renae Perry is ready to equip and assist older adults who face unique challenges as job seekers. "People age 50 and over benefit from a resource where their age is welcomed," says Perry. “They realize they are not alone and they receive the help they need to move forward.”

The Senior Employment Program is available for people age 50 and over find full-time and part-time positions through various career-building and networking services. “We provide help with resume writing, interviewing, and job-seeking strategies,” says Perry, who has worked with the program for nine years and has an extensive background in aging services with a master’s degree and license in social work. “We also offer one-on-one career counseling, computer training, skills assessments, and networking groups to share job leads and to have guest speakers on employment opportunities and employment-seeking topics.” Perry describes that assistance is also available for improving skills that have defined the highly competitive modern job market, particularly in the use of internet forums for job searches.

Perry offers the following advice to mature job-seekers:

1. "Age is an asset to employers. You must believe that first to be successful with getting employers to believe it."
2. "You have skills, ability and experience. Get the right attitude about your age and experience, and move forward to be competitive in the job search."
3. "Have a great resume. Maker sure your resume is working for you, not against you. If you aren’t sure about how to create or update a resume, our program can help."
4. "Have a great personal commercial to sell yourself and your experience. Exude confidence and enthusiasm.  Your age truly is an asset, but if you think you’re too old for a job, odds are that the employer will, too." 
5. "Finally, follow up is critical to job search success.  Don’t just wait for the employer to contact you.  Show them how resourceful, dedicated and hard working you are and follow up with them."

More recently, the Senior Employment Program released their online job search. “This new jobsite links employers who are actively looking for mature workers with older adults who are willing to work,” Perry explains.  There could not be a better time to have this direct link, according to Perry. “Within the last year, I have seen more adults over age 50 seek employment or continue working due to a loss of retirement savings, or who are looking for work due to layoffs or closing companies.” Alongside these job-seeking needs, Perry has identified other unique motivations for job seeking. “I also see people who are not necessarily motivated financially to seek employment, but want to continue to be engaged and productive,” Perry notes. “These individuals are looking for something more meaningful and for ways that they can give back, even in employment not necessarily related to their previous occupation.”

Operating as a United Way partner agency, The Senior Source’s employment program provides services free to individuals. Employers can also post their available jobs for free. “We work with employers to educate them about the benefits of hiring older adults,” says Perry, who is starting to see more positive responses from employers. “They are recognizing that older workers bring dependability, strong work ethic, varied experience, and the abilities to look at the big picture and draw on past work experience.”

Job searching can be challenging, but Perry assures that there are resources available for mature job seekers. “Connect with as many resources as possible,” Perry advises. “The more connected you are, the more successful you will be in your job search.” The program’s focus on older workers also presents benefits to employers. “Mature workers bring years of experience, wear a lot of hats, and offer many skills to their employers,” says Perry. In this uncertain economy, this is reassurance to the many adults age 50 and over needing extra support in their job search.

One of eight programs under The Senior Source’s array of senior services in the Greater Dallas area, the Senior Employment Program welcomes a diversity of clients with various employment and job-seeking needs. To find out more, visit www.theseniorsource.org. To begin your job search, visit The Senior Source Job Site.