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Been Looking for a Job, Think My Age is a Factor.

Q: "I have been looking for a job for 1 year! Yes, 1 year. I am almost 50 and think my age is a factor. I would like to hire someone to help me as this just cannot continue. Can you suggest anyone as I am getting extremely desperate?" Question to Seymour posted here by Lori on September 13, 2006 06:16 PM


Seymour Jobs Career ProfessorA: Dear Lori,

First, 40% of adult Americans are now 50 or older....yes, you heard right!  40%.  Your competition is not so much with younger workers but with the rest of the Boomers, the largest population demographic in America.  It may be that age isn't the critical barrier you imagine.  Other issues are likely the driving forces behind your challenges.

Second, "starting gate'" advice can only be offered AFTER a career coach has listened to you and conducted a gap analysis to determine the barriers/solutions you face and need.  Do I believe that you need a career coach?  Probably.  However, just like the little league coach, not all career coaches are created equal when it comes down to helping folks with particular or unique challenges.  So, I would not invest in a long-term coaching relationship until after you are confident of the diagnosis! In other words, start at the beginning and don't buy an entire coaching package until you think, and feel, that this coach at this particular time is likely to be successful in working with you. 

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Filed under: 50+ Careers, Ask Seymour

Posted by Seymour Jobs on September 14, 2006 at 3:59 PM

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Very interesting question. Boomers competing against boomers for jobs!

Posted by Rhea on September 18, 2006 2:08 PM

I'm one of the baby boomers who's now 50 and could not find work in my field. I've switched fields, went back to school, and is now training to work as a medical transcriptionist (MT). However, the problems is I'm almost done with my training and I'm finding that employers want at least two years of experience before hiring on as a MT. I understand that Spherion has an affiliate training program for MT graduates who get paid while they are being trained to work for Spherion as a MT. Where can I find information about that program?

Jill

Posted by Jill on September 18, 2007 5:44 PM

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