In response to the
aging of America’s workforce and the most serious economic downturn in
years, AARP is broadening its online career services for 50+ workers through
a new collaboration with RetirementJobs.com.
This new service will provide
mature workers the opportunity, at www.aarp.org/jobs,
to search for full time, part time and flexible jobs from age-friendly employers.
The new online venture will
allow AARP’s nearly 40 million members and others to have direct access
to RetirementJobs.com’s job search tools at no cost. As part of this new
collaboration, RetirementJobs.com and AARP will identify employers that maintain
policies, practices and programs consistent with employment of people age 50
and older based solely on their proficiency, qualifications and contribution.
Additionally, Bob Skladany, RetirementJobs.com’s vice president of research
and chief career counselor, columnist and blogger, will bring his expertise
as an online career coach to AARP.org.
“Given that nearly
half of AARP’s members are currently working, our new collaboration with
RetirementJobs.com will add great breadth to AARP’s career site by providing
our members opportunities to find job openings and transition into new jobs,”
said Deborah Russell, AARP’s Director of Workforce Programs. “We
are equally delighted that Bob Skladany will be bringing his job-seeking and
recareering expertise to AARP members and other 50+ Americans.”
“We are committed
to working closely with AARP to meet the growing career needs of people over
50,” said Tim Driver, CEO of RetirementJobs.com. “There is a unique
opportunity in the years ahead for our organizations to have a real impact,
helping people make a life change and achieve greater overall personal satisfaction
and financial security.”
In addition to being the
exclusive job search engine provider for AARP’s Career site, RetirementJobs.com
will offer advice to individuals entering or reentering the workforce via Skladany’s
contributions to AARP’s The Water Cooler (www.aarp.org/thewatercooler),
an online discussion group about career issues and AARP’s blog, ShAARP
Session (www.shaarpsession.org).
The online collaboration
comes on the heels of an AARP economic survey1 (May, 2008) that found that 81
percent of all Americans ages 45 and over say the economy is in fairly bad or
very bad condition. The survey showed that more than one in four older workers
(27 percent) say they postponed plans to retire because of the recent downturn.
Additional AARP research found that nearly eight in 10 Boomers said that they
planned to work into their retirement years. Recent AARP surveys have found
that those planning to work into their retirement years primarily are doing
so to earn needed, additional income, maintain health benefits or, in some cases,
to remain active and gain personal enrichment.
AARP’s new relationship
with RetirementJobs.com,
part of the extensive expansion of its online career services, also comes at
a time when 50 plus workers are playing an increasingly important role in the
labor force. Fifty and over workers already represent 28 percent of the workforce,
and projections show that, by 2016, that figure will jump to 33.5 percent, more
than one in three in the labor force.
AARP is committed to helping
its members and others find jobs through a variety of resources. The Association
connects 50+ workers with employers who recognize the value of experience and
skills through the National Employment Team (www.aarp.org/employerteam). National
Employment Team employers undertake a detailed application process to demonstrate
their interest in hiring mature workers. AARP also offers tips and tools on
how to successfully transition into new job opportunities through www.aarp.org/money/work/.
1 Source: AARP: “The
Economic Slowdown’s Impact on Middle-Aged and Older Americans” (May
2008)
Download at http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/econ/economy_survey.pdf
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