The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that seniors 65 and older accounted for 6.4% (10.6 million) of the strong 164.6 million U.S. labor force in 2020. In fact, a new poll suggests a third of old-timers would rather work past their retirement. Others opt not to retire altogether. This shows more senior citizens prefer not to slow down despite their age. Meanwhile, you can learn types of senior living here if you’re unsure whether working is for you.
All the same, working even after officially retiring can help you maintain a sense of purpose. Plus, it allows you to keep interacting with other people. Money is another big factor, especially if you haven’t saved enough for retirement or want to supplement your current income.
Despite such motivating factors, finding a job as a senior can be a tedious and frustrating process. Thus, you might wonder, “is there a job placement agency just for senior citizens?” Well, yes and no.
Some entities, especially non-profits, merely provide a platform you can use to get opportunities. A few offer placement services tailored to seniors – as you’ll note. Read on to learn why we don’t have a direct answer, including possible options.
Non-Profit Organizations
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is an advocacy group for people 50 and older. It’s also a non-profit with a job board that includes opportunities for seniors. But, it’s not an agency that places people in jobs. The AARP job board includes links to Indeed, CareerBuilder, and other popular job search engines. You can also find job fairs and learn about employment assistance programs for seniors on the AARP website.
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) offers a few different resources for job seekers over 55. The site includes a searchable database of employment opportunities and information on training and job support programs. It also showcases some of the best places for older workers to find jobs. By taking advantage of the platform, you can utilize your skills, earn extra money, and make a difference in your community.
If you’re an experienced worker 55 or older looking for a job in the public or private sector, the National Older Worker Career Center (NOWCC) could lend you a hand. NOWCC isn’t a job placement agency, but it does place seniors in temporary positions with agencies across the United States.
The Phoenix Link is also a good resource for job seekers over 50. The group connects professionals, including retired executives, with each other and potential employers – through staffing firms.
Commongood Careers links business owners providing social services with workers, including senior citizens. As an agency, the firm can guide you through the recruitment process. You can also access job listings on the agency’s site if you’re an experienced executive in the market for new opportunities.
Private Agencies
Although there aren’t many private agencies offering placement services for seniors, some do exist. Kelly Services is one example of an international placement agency addressing the needs of seniors. You can turn to this agency if you’re searching for temporary or part-time opportunities. You can also snag remote work if you’re unable to commute.
Manpower is another international firm focusing on connecting businesses with the right candidates. The agency offers opportunities for full-time or contingent positions. Alternatively, you may consider a temp-to-perm arrangement to get your foot in the door.
These firms often partner with AARP to offer opportunities to retired persons. But, they do not cater only to seniors. That aside, you can get your profile in front of companies searching for older workers with your skills and experience through their connections.
A Word of Caution
Many for-profit job placement agencies claim to specialize in helping seniors find work. Unfortunately, some of these companies are out to scam you. For starters, they may charge exorbitant fees, often in the form of a subscription. In return, you might get nothing more than access to the same job boards you can find for free online.
Others may try to sell you expensive resume writing or career counseling services. Some may even guarantee they can find you a job – for a fee. It’s best to research the company before doing business with them. In short, beware of any agency or anyone who requests money from you upfront or pressures you into a harried decision
Generally, if a placement agency’s deal looks too good to be true, it is probably the case. That said, you can find employment as a senior citizen in various ways. Hopefully, you can secure a position by taking advantage of the resources available to you (as we’ve pointed out) and being cautious of scams.