Dear Savvy Senior,

What resources can you recommend to help older job seekers? I’m 62 and have been out of work for nearly a year now and need some help.

Looking For Work

 

Dear Looking,

While the U.S. job market has improved slightly over the past year or so, challenges persist for many older job seekers. Fortunately, there are a number of free online tools and in-person training centers scattered across the country today that can help you find employment. Here’s what you should know.

 

Online resources

If you have Internet access, there are a number of 50-and-older online employment networks that can help you connect with companies that are interested in hiring older workers.

Two of the best are workreimagined.org, a resource developed by AARP that combines career advice, job listings and online discussion tied to LinkedIn’s professional networking platform.

And retirementjobs.com, which offers a job search engine that lists thousands of jobs nationwide from companies that are actively seeking workers over the age of 50.

It also provides job-seeking tips and advice, helps with resume writing and allows you to post your resume online for companies to find you.

Some other good 50-plus job seeking sites to try are workforce50.com, retiredbrains.com, retireeworkforce.com and encore.org a resource that helps older workers find meaningful work in the second half of life.

 

In-person help

Another good place to get help finding a job is at a Career One-Stop center. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, these are free job resource centers that can help you explore career options, search for jobs, find training, write a resume, prepare for an interview and much more.

There are around 3,000 of these centers located throughout the country. To find one near you, call 877-348-0502 or go to careeronestop.org.