Commentary: Myths and Prospects for Older Workers

James E. Challenger, president of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc, debunks the myth that "[w]orkers over 50 who have lost their jobs will have a very difficult time obtaining another job." On the contrary, he says, older workers "are winning new jobs in approximately the same length of time as their younger counterparts."

Among other things, he points out that many employers are "placing a premium on experience to help them meet their increasing worldwide competition." In addition, a new study by Challenger, Gray & Christmas "shatters the myth that older workers are particularly vulnerable in this economic downturn. The fact is that pared-down companies may increasingly rely on seasoned veterans to get them through the downturn."

Challenger advices older workers looking for work to be accommodating, emphasize past examples of loyalty, emphasize relevant experience, demonstrate flexibility and creativity, look and act young, and stay current and embrace technology. In addition, he cites several industries as looking particularly favorably on older workers: healthcare, teaching, consulting, nonprofit Organizations, customer service/customer relations, and small Business.

Sources: Challenger, Gray & Christmas "Older Workers Still In Demand!" (September 10, 2008), "Advice for Job-Seeking Older Workers" (September 10, 2008); California Job Journal "Older Workers Find Favor in the Current Job Market" (September 7, 2008)

Urban Institute Releases Report on Whether Older People Will Respond to the Demographic Challenges by Working Longer

Richard W. Johnson, Gordon Mermin, and Matthew Resseger have authored a report for the Urban Institute describing the job demands faced by workers today, the changes over time in job demands, and the impact of those changes on the employability of older workers. In the report--Employment at Older Ages and the Changing Nature of Work, the authors linked job characteristics data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration to the Current Population Survey to calculate the proportion of workers facing various types of job demands in 2006 and 1971. Employment projections were used to estimate the prevalence of job demands in 2014 and in 2041. The job attributes that were considered included physical demands, nonphysical demands, and difficult workplace conditions. They also examined how job demands varied by demographic characteristics, including gender, educational attainment, race, and age.

Looking ahead, they concluded that the prevalence of job demands will not change much in the coming decades. This forebodes well for the continued employability of older adults. In addition, the authors believe that the increase in cogntively demanding work will not prevent many workers from extending their worklives.

Source: Urban Institute Research Summary (March 28, 2008)