55+ and Looking for a Job? The Elephant in the Room…

Our thanks to George Washington Law Professor Naomi Cahn for passing on this item from the Washington Post: 

“I speak to a lot of big audiences of people over 50 looking for jobs,” says Kerry Hannon, career expert and author of “Getting the Job You Want After 50 for Dummies.” “I feel and I see the palpable fear. The job market has not improved for this set of people.”

 

“It’s not a pretty scene,” she says. “What happens is people say they will keep working, but for various reasons, including health, they don’t keep working.”

 

Employment consultant Sara Rix says surveys show that up to 80 percent of people think they will work in retirement. A much lower percentage of people actually do (19 percent, according to the AARP).

 

People don’t continue working for many reasons: layoffs, health and unexpectedly becoming a caregiver are just a few.

 

Those still able to work can face tremendous difficulties finding a new job. The elephant in the room is age discrimination….

For the full article by Columnist Rodney Brooks, see “Not Ready to Retire, But Not Finding Work.”