M E R I D I A N     M A G A Z I N E

Older and Out of Work? Job Hunting for the Suddenly Unemployed
By Chris Patrick

A Little Background

Job hunting is hard work for many of us even in the best of times.  It’s been a particularly tough task during the past few years as companies across America have downsized and outsourced.  The challenge can be particularly great for people who are in their 40s and 50s and are without work for the first time in many years.  If you are in that group, this article is for you.

If times seem tough, it may help to know that it is not your imagination.  The number of published job openings has decreased dramatically over the past few years.  Notice I said fewer published openings.  Companies always have openings and there is probably at least one that is right for you. 

You may wonder what is behind this jobless economic recovery.  Our modern knowledge-based economy is a pretty complex animal; one that defies easy explanation.  However, Dean Ned Hill of the Marriott School of Management at BYU has identified one critical factor that makes this economic recovery different from many that have preceded it.  That factor is increased productivity.  In a recent presentation addressing the relationship between productivity and job creation, Dean Hill pointed out that each 1% annual increase in productivity results in 1.3 million fewer jobs being created than would have been otherwise.  The current recovery has been driven by a robust 3.0 – 3.5% annual productivity increase.  In contrast, the recovery following the 1990-1991 recession was driven by a 2.0 – 2.5% productivity increase.  So if it feels like jobs have been a long time coming in this recovery, you are right.

Now for some good news.  Jobs are likely to be more plentiful for people with the right skills and education starting as early as 2005 and on through 2010.  Will we see a worker shortage like we saw in the late 1990s?  No one really knows for sure.  Will outsourcing to the lowest cost qualified providers continue?  That trend has been with us for a long time and is not likely to change.  Who will have great jobs in the future?  The best jobs, and those most resistant to outsourcing, will be those that require education, flexibility, creativity and the ability to work well with others.  What kinds of jobs are those?  The Bureau of Labor Statistics points to occupations that include college educators, managers, software engineers, management consultants and designers as jobs that will be growing significantly through 2012.  (To see Dean Hill’s presentation “The Changing Job Market, 2004” go to http://marriottschool.byu.edu/emp and click on Dr. Hill’s faculty profile.  Also, see “Software:  Will Outsourcing Hurt America’s Supremacy?” in the March 1, 2004 issue of BusinessWeek and “The Future of Work” in the March 22, 2004 issue of BusinessWeek)

What To Do Next

So, now you know something about what’s behind the current dilemma.  What are your options?  First of all, keep yourself in good spiritual condition.  Fasting, prayer and regular temple attendance all help.  Sometimes as you are engaging in these activities you will receive promptings that you recognize as coming from a divine source.  Follow these promptings without hesitation, even if they lead you in paths you might not naturally pursue.  Like Nephi’s quest to claim the brass plates, you may need to move ahead without having a clear idea about how things will turn out.  The key is to keep moving and to follow the promptings as they come. (See 1 Nephi 3-4)

Second, remember the five best ways to find work suggested by Richard N. Bolles in his very popular and very practical book, What Color is Your Parachute? 

Job Hunting Tactic

Effectiveness As Reported by Bolles

Ask for job leads from family, friends and everyone you meet.

Works for 33 out of every 100 job seekers.

Go to the door (yes, physically go to the door) of any employer that interests you, knock, and ask if they have work for someone who does what you do.

Works for 47 out of 100 job seekers.

Use the Yellow Pages to identify subjects or fields of interest to you.  Contact employers listed under these subjects and ask if they have work for someone who does what you do.

Works for 69 out of 100 job seekers.

Use the same method just described, but work in a group with other job seekers.

Works for 84 out of 100 job seekers.

Use Bolles’ creative job search formula which includes deciding what you want to do, where you want to do it, and then going after the organizations that interest you the most.  This approach is particularly effective if you decide you want to change your career.

Works for 86 out of 100 job seekers

It is possible that even using all of these methods you will not be able to find a job exactly like the one you loved and lost.  It’s important to be open to other options and avenues that will allow you to use your particular talents in new ways. 

Be careful about pinning all your hopes on posting your resume on Internet job boards and employer’s websites.  You may well land the job of your dreams through the Internet.  However, Bolles cites research showing that only 4 to10% of those who rely on the Internet for their job searches actually get jobs that way.

Resources

There are many excellent resources available for mature job seekers.  Here, in no particular priority order, are some you may find helpful: 

Your ward and stake welfare specialist.  Most wards and stakes have welfare specialists who know something about helping job seekers.  They can provide encouragement; help with your job search strategy; and offer advice for building useful job seeking tools like resumes and cover letters.  But, don’t expect your ward or stake welfare specialist to find you a job.  Their role is to help you become an effective job seeker.  You must do the actual job hunting on your own.

www.providentliving.org.  This very helpful and practical website includes a large section devoted to employment.  This website can be a useful complement to the help you receive from your ward or stake welfare specialist.

State employment centers.  Each state in the United States operates a system of employment centers known generically as the One-Stop System.  States have different names for these centers.  Employment centers often have resource rooms equipped with computers, printers, books and staff who can help with your search.  Some employment centers offer free classes for job seekers to help with interviewing skills, job search strategies, resume writing, and so forth.  To find the employment center nearest you use America’s Service Locator at www.servicelocator.org.  Many states now have a great deal of useful information for job seekers in electronic form which you can access from home.

BYU Management Society.  Two of the primary purposes of the BYU Management Society are to promote networking and career development.  The Management Society includes over 6,000 members with chapters in 40 U.S. cities and 10 countries.  You don’t need to be a graduate of BYU or a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to join.  You will meet good people at chapter meetings who will be anxious to help.  To learn more about the BYU Management Society and to locate a chapter near you see www.marriottschool.byu.edu/mgtsoc/.  If there is no chapter in your area contact Rixa Oman at 801.422.6824 or management_society@byu.edu to see how to get started.

What Color is Your Parachute?  This book is one of the best known, and most helpful, guides for job seekers.  It is packed full of useful suggestions, references to essential resources, and packaged in a way that is both entertaining and accessible.  What Color is Your Parachute? is available at www.amazon.com or www.bn.com.  It is updated annually.  (Bolles, Richard Nelson.  What Color Is Your Parachute?  A Practical Manual for Job Hunters and Career-Changers.  Berkeley, CA:  Ten Speed Press, 2004.)  There is a companion website at www.jobhuntersbible.com.

www.quintcareers.com.  This website is a comprehensive career search website that supports over 2,000 content pages.  Of particular interest to job seekers in their 40s and 50s is an entire section titled, “Job and Career Resources for Mature and Older Job Seekers – Including the Baby Boomers”.  This section includes links to 13 other websites that focus on the particular challenges facing mature job seekers.

Finally, the April 2004 Ensign magazine includes a wonderful article titled, “Helping Marriage Survive Unemployment:  Seven Principles.”  This article describes how a faithful church member who was suddenly unemployed after 30 years worked with his wife to change what could have been a devastating turn of events into a valuable growing experience.  It’s well worth reading.

A Parting Thought

Job seeking can be a discouraging process, particularly if your job search takes significantly longer than you expect.  Sometimes that discouragement can lead to withdrawal and depression.  A few down days now and then is normal.  Overcoming an extended period of depression may require professional help.  Consider talking with your doctor first.  Sometimes depression has a physical cause.  If your body is healthy, consider seeking out a professional counselor who shares your values.  LDS Family Services may be a good place to start.  Your bishop can provide a referral.  Your doctor may also provide referrals to qualified counselors if LDS Family Services is not a viable option.  Seeking professional help may cost a few dollars at a time when money is tight, but if your ability to deal with life’s challenges is improved, the time and money you invest in yourself will be well spent.

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