ShAARP Session: Observations from AARP

Results tagged “work” from ShAARP Session

Nov '09 5

Alejandra Owens | 2:38 PM | 0 Comments

So far the House and the Senate have both passed legislation that will provide relief for millions of Americans still looking for a job out there. Extending unemployment benefits could help nearly 2 million people age 55 and over who have a particularly difficult time gaining employment. As we now know, these workers wait an average of 33 weeks or longer before finding another job, higher than most age groups.

This is definitely a step in the right direction with unemployment soaring. Are you having a hard time finding a job? Other than unemployment benefits, be sure to check out our work pages at aarp.org for info and help on how to land your next big gig.

Oct '09 28

Alejandra Owens | 12:06 PM | 0 Comments

If this isn't a wake-up call, I don't know what is.


While the recession has forced many Americans to delay retirement, one of the hardest hit are those already retired in search of work. There are 6.6 million Americans age 65 or older who have lost their jobs in the recession, 61% more than the 4.1 million unemployed in this age group in 2000, The New York Times reports.

This is five times the number of people in this age bracket who were unemployed in the Great Depression. Making matters worse, many older Americans still owe money on their mortgages.


Check out AARP.org's section on work to get job tips and find out more about issues concerning older workers.

Apr '09 15

Alejandra Owens | 4:14 PM | 1 Comments

The New York Times blog, Room for Debate, has a great round-up of experts' thoughts on why and how older workers are struggling to get jobs during the recession. It's no big news that older adults have had difficulties (and have even been discriminated against) in the workforce way before the economy began to falter, but things are particularly hard now.

Between the idea that bosses don't want employees older and more experienced than them, to the fact that older workers cost more to a company salary-wise, to the theory that your productivity decreases as you age, these folks have a range of different reasons why older workers are having such a hard time. (Not to mention the comments section has blown up there as well.) Make sure to check it out.

On the upside, check out AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50 - because some folks know how valuable you are!

Apr '09 1

Alejandra Owens | 9:40 AM | 0 Comments

AP has a news story on how older workers are not only struggling to get a paycheck in this tough times, but searching the "help wanted" ads for the first time in their careers. Check it out.

If you're looking for a job, or want some job hunting advice check out Bob Skladany's columns on AARP.org or our Work pages.

Nov '08 11

Alejandra Owens | 3:47 PM | 1 Comments

I was poking around the New York Times' work blog, Shifting Careers, and came across an interesting post about consulting.

Times are tough and people are losing their jobs. My father has thought a time or two that consulting might be a way to keep your foot in the door and the notion of being your own boss, well, it's always appealed to him.

Consulting is tough going though. You're always looking for your next client and sometimes people want you to work for nearly free or for free period. This is where this post comes in. Freelancer, Michelle Goodman, offers a few times when you might actually want to work for free. This includes: working for your "dream" client or if you have no portfolio or no base clientele to speak of.

Interesting notions...do any readers do consulting work? How's it worked out for you?

Oct '08 6

Alejandra Owens | 1:59 PM | 1 Comments

Hey, it's tough out there. It's even tougher with unemployment rising and all these companies going under, being bought, merging...you name it. If you find yourself in the position of having to re-start your career check out Bob Skladany's article taking a look at things you should do when you're laid off.