Greensboro featured on AARP's Inside E Street TV

At our Greensboro Job Fair a few weeks ago, the Inside E Street Team filmed a story about the economy and job situation, particularly how it interests the mature worker demographic. They included parts of an interview from our Manager, Lyle Stone who talks about job loss and the availability of Jobs, particularly in the Greensboro area. Click the image below to watch the video!

Click to play

If you're a member of AARP, or a part of the "seasoned" worker generation, you should check out our Wiser Worker Blog . We publish articles that are of particular interest to the Boomers and mature workers.

Thanks to the Inside E Street team for featuring us in their program, we are glad to help connect job seekers in Greensboro and all of North Carolina with employers in their area, especially in tough times like these. We're doing our part to help put America back to work.

If you live in the Charlotte area, our next job fair is scheduled for next February. Check it out here.

5 Job Search Tips for 60+ Workers

This post was originally posted on Wiser Worker Blog.

It can be difficult being 60+ and applying for a job. How do you contest the age biases that you might come across? First of all, don't panic. The key to getting and having a successful interview is confidence. Besides there is plenty of evidence saying that you may actually have the upperhand in the job search. Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Go to the Niche Sites.
Meaning - use job boards that are targeted to your demographic. This shouldn't be too much a problem - you're right here! WiserWorker.com has jobs that you can search and apply to that are specifically targeted to older workers.

2. Update Your Skills & Consider a New Industry.
How good are you with the computer? What other skills do you think employers are looking for? Check out your local community college for a few classes that might help you brush up on some newer skills and increase your chances of catching an employer's eye. A good example was I received an email from someone in the midst of her job search and while she was searching, she was taking a Spanish class to gain a little more competitive edge. You may also want to look at a new industry. Healthcare, for example, is an industry that can't seem to find enough people to work. If you're going to brush up on your skills, why not learn some new ones. Certification might not take as long as you'd think.

3. Start With People You Know.
Contact all the people you've worked with previously, your friends' kids and anyone you think might be a good person to find out information. Be assertive and tell them you're looking for a job, what industry and some of your qualifications. You never know who they might know. Of course with any networking be careful to not to go too overboard but the people you already know can turn out to be very valuable in your job search.

4. Use the Youth and the Internet.
Good references are a given, but you might want to consider having a younger professional being a reference. Someone who might be able to speak about your management skills or ability to work with all ages. You can also create a LinkedIn profile (which is essentially your resume online) and connect with previous or current co-workers and tap into online social networks. You don't have to rely completely on Internet networking - attending Chamber of Commerce events and other in-person networking is important as well. But this gives you an online presence and shows you're tech savvy and ability to be up to date with what's going on now with the job market and the workplace.

5. Highlight Your Experience.
Use your age to your advantage! No need to be ashamed. You have experience and should say so. This provides a great opening to an interview that will allow you to explain how you can benefit the company you are applying to or interviewing with. Use your experience and present it as a positive rather than a negative.

(Sources: How to Get a Job When You're 60 Plus, U.S. News & World Report; How An Older Worker Can Get the Interview, U.S. News & World Report. Photo by welsh boy)

- Rosie Reilman

Wiser Worker Blog Updates

Check out a couple of new postints on the Wiser Worker blog:

Supreme Court Defends Older Workers
The Supreme Court has shifted the burden of proof over to companies who are under claims of age discrimination especially in the event of lay offs or downsizing... (read the rest)

Filling the Gap with Experienced Workers
I’ve seen several news sources lately that present quite a positive outlook for the 60+ workers considering getting into the workforce. It’s not surprising with the Baby Boomers gearing up for retirement it seems that there’s a lot of hype about whether or not we’ll have enough people to fill all the jobs that are available. Even now with a lack luster economy, it seems employers are looking for more experience, better quality candidates. Alot of these news stories have been saying that mature workers are actually preferred in some of the jobs that traditionally have been for teenagers or college students. (read the rest)


Also be sure to check out the other Wiser Worker Resources or search jobs on WiserWorker.com

- Rosie Reilman

Updates in Charlotte Employment Guide

Even though it's the summer, that doesn't mean that we're going to wind down much. There has been a bunch of different things going on and I thought I'd take a few moments to fill everyone in.

Win a Gas Card Contest
Gas prices have been on the rise. I know I nearly flipped when I saw gas for the first time yesterday over $4 a gallon. Some people say it's just going to continue to rise and I've heard other financial predictions that it'll go down eventually. Either way we decided to do something to help. We're going to give away a $50 gas card every week to a randomly drawn name. The contest starts July 1st. Now you can find a new job and we will help you with the gas to get there.

To enter just use the Chat Box to the right in the sidebar. You'll need to type in and enter your Name, Telephone Number and Email address. (If it says we're offline, that's ok. We'll still get your entry.) Only enter once and you have to be 16 years or older to win. If you try and enter more than once, it's in vain because we're not going to count multiple entries. Each week we will randomly choose a winner. We will list your name in our "list of winners" in our publication and online. Your contact information will only be used to contact you if you're the winner. So you can get a job on EmploymentGuide.com and now we'll help you get there each week. Any questions you can send to ncjobs@employmentguide.com but we're only accepting entries through the Chat box.

Hospitality Virtual Job Fair
This industry has consistently been in the top 10 keywords of our online searches and we've seen approximately 3,200 online applications completed in our hospitality database last year. If you're looking for a job in hospitality, including food and beverage service, hotel or resort jobs, room service or other housekeeping jobs - from now until June 25th we're having a Hospitality Virtual Job Fair. So CLICK HERE to check that out!

It's a growing industry - even despite the dismal economy reports. EmploymentGuide.com has set up some key partnerships with American Hotel & Lodging Association, ProStart Program, American Resort Development Association, the National Restaurant Association and others! Also if you're recruiting in the hospitality industry, ask about our discounts for American Hotel & Lodging Association members.

National SHRM Conference: Chicago
The National Society of Human Resource Management 2008 Conference in Chicago is fast approaching. Be sure if you're attending to check out The Employment Guide's booth. And whether you're going or not, we'd love to get your input. We're conducting a survey of Hourly Recruiting Managers so that we can better serve your needs. Visit our site: ChicagoSHRM.com to find out our booth information and to complete our survey.

Wiser Worker Blog Launch
Not long ago we launched WiserWorker.com to target the older worker. Now we have launched the WiserWorker Blog. This will hopefully become a valuable resource for recruiters looking to hire and job seekers in the mature worker demographic. We've partnered with the AARP Foundation and have a group of bloggers that will be posting about the various issues that this demographic faces in the job search and the workplace.

Lynx Station Distribution
We're increasing our distribution. You can now find The Employment Guide publication at many of the Lynx light rail stations in Charlotte. Now on your ride you can read about available jobs in the Charlotte area. We're also posting our weekly publication online so if we have another hot week, you can sit in the comfort of your A/C and check out the ads in our paper on our blog.

Charlotte Older Workers Diversity Job Fair

Those of you looking to boost your career, now is the time to plan to attend the Charlotte Diversity & Older Workers job fair! We're expecting 40+ employers, that's 40 or more opportunities to meet hiring managers and get a job THAT DAY!

There will be various entry level to management positions in multiple industries such as retail, restaurant, warehouse, manufacturing, hospitality, skilled trades and crafts, construction, insurance, customer service and more!

Join us:
Tuesday, September 18th
10am - 2pm
Sheraton Hotel 3315 Scott Futrell Dr.
Charlotte, NC 28208
(intersection of I-85 & Billy Graham Pkwy)

ANYONE can attend! This event will be Older Worker friendly and sponsored by the AARP Foundation.

But no matter who you are there will be a job waiting for you! Both full and part-time work available!

Don't get lost in the Crowd! Meet face-t0-face with recruiters from: (updated 9/7/07)

Schneider National
US Army
Clearwire
Adesa
Aflac
Adecco
Loomis
CPI Security
H&R Block
Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department
New Horizons
Airport Terminal Services
Time Warner Cable
Strayer University
TransTech
Debbie's Staffing
...and MORE!

If you can't make the event, don't worry - send your resume to: ncjobs@employmentguide.com and we'll pass it along to all participating employers!

Click on the link below to listen to our radio ad.

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News Release: The New American Workforce: Older Workers

The Employment Guide and AARP Foundation bring together older workers and potential employers during “Employ the Older Workers Job Fair Series”

NORFOLK, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Labor Day is an opportune time to reflect upon the American workforce. Since the inception of Labor Day 125 years ago, the complexion of the workforce we honor has changed dramatically. Increasingly these laborers are older Americans.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the share of the labor force aged 55 and older, currently at 17 percent, is rising rapidly and, by 2020, it is projected to be nearly 24 percent. The graying of the labor force can be attributed to many factors including longer life expectancy, the enactment of age discrimination laws, and significant increases in healthcare costs, necessitating more income later in life.

Older workers staying in the labor force longer is good news for employers. A mass exodus of Baby Boomers, currently between the ages of 43 and 61, from the labor force as they reach retirement age would cause a significant labor shortage. Some experts predict that by 2012, there will be 3.3 million fewer workers than jobs. Retaining older workers longer would alleviate the expected shortage.

Keeping these workers employed also makes good business sense. A report prepared for AARP by Towers Perrin, The Business Case for Workers Age 50+, found that older workers are more motivated to exceed expectations on the job than their younger counterparts. They also bring experience, dedication, focus, stability and enhanced knowledge to their work.
However, businesses will have to offer the right mix of rewards in order to attract, retain and engage older workers, according to the study. These include health care benefits, innovative growth opportunities and flexible work schedules.

Evelyn Issa, staffing manager over National Hiring Partnerships for Home Depot, agrees. “Mature workers bring not only solid work experience to the job, but they also have a lower rate of attrition and a strong work ethic,” she said. “Many of our older workers are enjoying retirement but want a part-time job where they can interact with people and use the skills they’ve developed. To attract and retain them, Home Depot offers part-time, flexible schedules with health benefits and a 401K plan. We believe this gives us a significant competitive advantage,” continued Issa.

To find these valuable older workers, Home Depot is participating in the Employ the Older Workers Job Fair Series—a national effort, reaching more than 40 cities, to bring together older workers and 50+-friendly employers.

A partnership between The Employment Guide (www.EmploymentGuide.com) and AARP Foundation (www.AARP.org/foundation), the job fair series will run from Aug. 22 to Oct. 19 and is being held in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Employ Older Workers Week, Sept. 23-29, 2007.

“We are thrilled to offer the opportunity for older workers to connect with hundreds of potential employers. The Employ the Older Workers Job Fair Series is just one of the many ways we can help the older worker continue to make a contribution to the labor force,” said Jeff Littlejohn, vice president and general manager of The Employment Guide.

To learn more about the graying of the American labor force and the Employ the Older Workers Job Fair Series, and for a complete listing of the job fairs, log on to http://www.olderworkers.employmentguide.com.

About The Employment Guide
The Employment Guide is a division of Dominion Enterprises. The Employment Guide and www.EmploymentGuide.com offer businesses a comprehensive recruitment solution for hourly workers through a nationwide series of publications, award-winning Web sites, and series of job fairs. The free weekly publications are published locally in more than 75 markets with a combined circulation of more than two million copies nationwide. The job board, www.EmploymentGuide.com, attracts more than one million unique visitors each month and features a candidate database and job postings. Niche Web sites have been developed to serve in-demand industries such as transportation and health care. Face-to-face recruitment is available through The Employment Guide’s job fair program, with more than 220 job fairs conducted nationwide each year. For more information on The Employment Guide, visit http://www.EmploymentGuide.com.

Help Wanted: Charlotte Area Employers Seek Out Older Workers

AARP Foundation and The Employment Guide® partner to connect older workers with some of Charlotte’s largest businesses at a special job fair

Charlotte, NC August 24, 2007 – In response to an aging workforce and a tightening labor market, the AARP Foundation and The Employment Guide have combined efforts to bring together older workers with companies who seek their talents. On Tuesday, September 18th, from 10 am to 2 pm at the Sheraton Hotel at the intersection of I-85 and Billy Graham Parkway, more than 50 employers will meet and interview hundreds of job seekers, many age 50 and older, at the Charlotte Employ the Older Worker Job Fair.

Co-sponsored by the AARP Foundation and The Employment Guide, the Charlotte job fair is part of the Employ the Older Workers Job Fair Series, taking place in more than 40 cities across the country from Aug. 22 to Oct. 23. The job fair series is being held in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Employ Older Workers Week, Sept. 23-29, 2007.

As Baby Boomers begin to gray, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2000, 13 percent of the U.S. workforce was 55 and older and, by 2010, that figure will likely increase to 17 percent. Nearly 7 out of 10 workers age 45-74 tell AARP that they plan to work in some capacity in retirement.

Participating employers will seek to fill hourly positions ranging from entry-level to management and they represent industries such as health care, customer service, hospitality, finance, sales, insurance, skilled trades, transportation, security and more.

For more information, visit www.EmploymentGuide.com.