Workers who are older understand the challenges of trying to land a good job. Many employers seek out younger candidates, even if age discrimination itself is illegal.
In some cases, though, businesses are looking for more-experienced workers to fill certain roles.
The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College recently identified numerous jobs that regularly appear on RetirementJobs.com, a national job board focused on positions for people over the age of 50.
The 11 types of jobs that popped up most often in the center’s analysis are:
- Office and administrative support: 15% of job postings
- Health care support: 14%
- Sales and related: 11%
- Computer and mathematical: 10%
- Transportation and material moving: 9%
- Health care practitioners and technical occupations: 7%
- Management: 7%
- Food preparation and serving: 7%
Unfortunately, there is a major downside to many of these positions, as the study authors note:
“However, the jobs employers actively target to older workers tend to be low-quality part-time jobs with no benefits. This segment of the labor market may be adequate for older workers seeking bridge job options, but those seeking to substantively extend their careers need full-time work with health and retirement benefits.”
And while older workers have a good shot at being considered for some roles, that doesn’t mean age discrimination is going away any time soon.
As the center notes, a separate recent study found that company hiring managers in 30 developed countries, which included the United States, were much less likely to interview older job applicants.
Older candidates are viewed as having “lower technological skill, flexibility, and trainability levels,” according to the study.
Still, there is hope. The center points to additional research that finds that employers view workers over the age 55 as being at least as productive as younger workers.
The center concludes:
“People in their 50s and 60s are good workers. The tricky part often is getting a foot in the door.”
For tips on what to do — and avoid — while getting that foot in the door, check out:
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