What Are Baby Boomers Looking for Jobs or Retirement?

© Duchess O’Blunt, 2009; all rights reserved.

There is no getting away from the fact that we have a growing demographic of older people. Baby boomers have certainly come into their own, and in all likelihood, many well work past the normal retirement age. A survey taken of older workers who will consider working longer has indicated that they will work because:

• They enjoy the job
• They like being productive and helpful
• They want to stay active and mentally alert
• Working makes them feel useful
• They wish to continue to contribute to the family income source

The number of people now working, or looking for work in the traditional early retirement, or even beyond the retirement age, has increased. One study suggests these three reasons:

• Health care has improved our health and we are living longer
• Changes in the types of work available
• A shift in employee pensions (a decline in employer contributions) source

In many cases there is a need for Baby Boomers to work as opposed to a simple desire to work, and it is difficult for many who have been laid off. It is a daunting perspective for anyone who has lost their job to get out there and find something else, and if you are in that category right now you may find you have to be willing to work for less.

The working market reminds me of the housing market. There are times when it is a buyers market and then it swings to the side of a sellers market. Today’s work force strikes me as an “employer’s market” as opposed to a “workers market". Jobs are few and far between and negotiations for wages, benefits and working conditions very often do not get the attention they deserve.

Job stability is no longer something that we can look forward to. Companies are looking to the bottom line and as a result we are seeing a growing number of people being laid off or let go, even after many years with the same company.

It is estimated today that the average person will have to change jobs at least 4 - 6 times in their life time. Personally I think that is a low estimate. I know young people in University who will graduate this year from a four year graduate course. The knowledge they have learned is now obsolete and they must continue to learn even as they enter the work force in the field they have graduated in.

People are anxious about being able to keep a roof over their heads and food in their bellies. Many older employees are not able to think about retirement just yet because of failed retirement investments, the poor economy, a very low housing market, poor investments, and many other factors. Many have no choice and must work.

From observation I think older workers face an even more daunting picture when faced with finding new employment because they are stereotyped as:

• Physically not up to par because they are older (often it is assumed they will not stay healthy)
• Less likely to take direction
• Are less creative
• Have a higher salary expectation because of the vast amount of knowledge and experience they have in the work force
• Have less energy
• Not willing to use new technology or unable to learn it

So, as an older person trying to stay in the work force, or perhaps re-entering the work force what are the things you need to do to counter this stereotyping?

Often you will be supervised by someone much younger than you and regardless of whether you are in your current position because you need to be or because you choose to be, your attitude matters.  

If you take the stance that you are older and therefore wiser and that the younger employees need to listen to your advise, you will not be making friends at your job easily.  You will in fact, enforce the stereotypical viewpoint of the older workforce.

Keep in mind that the young people today have a distinct advantage because they have grown up with the new technology and are very often more knowledgeable about how those technologies can best be used to produce the required results.  Show by your attitude that you are willing to learn.  Be happy to take direction from them because they know more about the technology than you do and take the initiative to show a little creativity.

Eat well, exercise and stay in touch with good friends and family members that keep you smiling.  Laugh often, don’t eat alone, and keep a positive attitude.  Take some time to spend on your hobbies or learn a new one.  Take care of yourself, your health matters.

It doesn’t matter how old you are.  You are never too old to learn.  In today’s world - especially the working world - you need to develop the attitude for continuous improvement.  Push yourself to learn new technology, especially as it pertains to your job.  Request training to upgrade your skills and if your employer doesn’t come through, find ways to learn on your own time.  Seminars, webinars and local classes can be found on just about any subject.  Designate some of your time to learning.  Find someone to go with you and help make the experience less stressful.  

It doesn’t matter how old you are.  Learning Matters.

Don’t kid yourself, if you walk into a new job, are going on a job interview, or even at your daily routine on the job, your appearance speaks volumes. If you are a mature worker, here again you will want to overcome the stereotypes. Don’t dress to look young. Rather, make an effort to be up-to-date and modern.  Not only will this help your boss, prospective boss or co-workers see you in a better light, it will help you to feel better about yourself because appearance does matter.

It really depends on your point of view and what type of a situation you are in when you face the question - Can I afford to retire?

For some employers, it is preferable to keep their older workers and offer incentives to do so.

The Royal Bank of Canada commissioned a poll in 2008 by Ipsos Reid of 2,052 workers 55 or older.

40% Plan to retire when they become eligible

22% would like to phase in retirement gradually

26% would like to work beyond retirement on a contractual basis

Is it possible to have the best of both worlds? Can such a thing as a phased retirement or a special type of part-time work arrangement designated specifically for older workers provide a feasible solution to both the employer and the employee?

This process allows older workers to reduce hours worked or weeks worked during the year, allowing them to continue to work toward retirement while staying gainfully employed and continue to provide their knowledge and experience to the employer. It sounds to me like a perfect win-win type of solution.

I think many older workers would welcome the opportunity to postpone retirement if they were offered phased retirement.  

Watson Wyatt Worldwide (2004). Phased retirement. Aligning employer programs with worker preferences. [2004 Survey Report].Washington, DC: Watson,  Wyatt Worldwide.

Approaches and Tactics for Older Workers Who Can’t Find A job

Canada

Targeted Initiative for Older Workers

Public Pensions and targeted employment initiatives for older workers in Canada (paper)

United States

Work Force 50

National Older Worker Career Center

Europe

Age Concerns

Older Workers Employment Network

Australia

Flexible working arrangements for older workers

Job Board linking nature age jobseekers to age friendly employers

Sweden

Creating better working conditions for older workers

My Employment History

• My first job was working in an orange juice factory, but I got canned...couldn't concentrate.
• After that I tried to be a tailor, but I just wasn't suited for it...mainly because it was a so-so job.
• Then I tried to be a chef -- figured it would add a little spice to my life, but I didn't really have the thyme.
• Next I tried working in a muffler factory but that was way too exhausting.
• I managed to get a good job working for a pool maintenance company, but the work was simply too draining.
• I attempted to be a deli worker, but any way I sliced it, I couldn't cut the mustard.
• Then I worked in the woods as a lumberjack, but I just couldn't hack it, so they gave me the axe.
• Next was a job in a shoe factory; I tried but I just didn't fit in.
• So then I got a job in a workout center; however they said I wasn't fit for the job.
• After many years of trying to find steady work I finally got a job as a historian until I realized there was no future in it.
• I studied a long time to become a doctor, but I didn't have any patience.
• My best job was being a musician, but eventually I found I wasn't noteworthy.
• I became a professional fisherman, but discovered I couldn't live on my net income.
• My last job was working at Starbucks, but I had to quit that because it was always the same old grind.
• SO THEN I RETIRED AND FOUND I'M PERFECT FOR THE JOB!!

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