AARP's Deborah Russell, director of workforce issues, and The Herman Group's workforce futurist Roger Herman offer these suggestions for hiring older workers:
- Partner with an organization that focuses on the mature population.
- Run ads in senior or community newspapers.
- Use language that's welcoming. “Often companies describe themselves as high-energy and fast-paced, which can be a code for wanting to hire younger workers,” Russell says.
- Use your built-in recruiters — anyone working for you in that age group.
- Tell staffing agencies that you are in the market for workers with life experience.
- Consider hiring retired military people (www.vetjobs.com).
- Visit www.aarp.org and click on “Resources for Employers” under “For Professionals,” which focuses on helping employers meet the challenges and opportunities of hiring and retaining employees in the 50-plus workforce.
