Job Hunting Sites: Five for the Over-50

Seems like half the people I know who are over 50 are in the process of some sort of career reinvention. For some it's voluntary, a time to strike out and do something different. For others, it's the byproduct of a brave new workplace where company loyalty and a gold pocket watch are memories of a time gone by.

New web sites are springing up to address the over-50 and looking for work market. Before you begin the hunt, you may want to look at AARP's Best Employers List for 2006. It should come as no terrible surprise that the top companies are in the health-related fields, followed by Volkswagen (could it be a Beetle nostalgia?). Companies making the list did so because of their recruiting practices, training and development, workplace accommodations, alternative work options, and health, pension, and retiree benefits. AARP also maintains a National Employer Team of companies in retail, communications, health, and other industries that are over-50 friendly.

CareerJournal also looks at the opportunities for employees over 50 and points out that two of the biggest growth categories, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, are in retail and postsecondary education—both good bets for older workers.

A few sites are narrowing down the job hunt, specifically catering to folks over 50.

YourEncore: Specializes in science and engineering. It's sort of a virtual consulting firm, placing retirees into consultant roles. Member companies include Proctor and Gamble, Eli Lilly, and Boeing. You need to register to use the site, but membership for prospective consultants is free.

Seniors4Hire: It claims to be one of the largest sites for the over-50 job hunt. Membership is free, but you must register before you can search the job base.

Senior Job Bank: You can browse the lists of available jobs, but if you register you can create your online resume and apply with a single keystroke. A quick survey of the available jobs was not particularly encouraging. I found three media/publishing jobs, one Internet job, and 10 healthcare jobs listed nationwide.

Retired Brains: A nice collection of part-time, full-time, not-for-profit, and volunteer jobs, Retired Brains seems to have a well-populated job database. Searching the database is free and so is posting a resume. The only time a job seeker pays a fee is if you sign up for its resume distribution service, which is completely optional. Retired Brains is part of a much larger career network called Beyond.com. It's worth looking at a full listing for its cross-linked network.

Retiree Careers: A membership service that offers a nice collection of jobs and job resources, including tools to automate notification about jobs that fit your profile. The site offers other services like resume writers, career coaches, and career aptitude consultants.

Those of you with other tips for the 50+ job seekers feel free to chime in. After perusing these sites, my advice would be to keep networking. The world of employers looking for the world of 50+ candidates seems a bit limited.