The Senior Employment Program assists older adults seeking employment by providing support for job seekers 50+ with job leads, instruction in job search techniques and resume preparation, and by assessing skills and abilities. An important facet of this program is providing employers with information about the benefits of hiring older workers. 

Services are provided at no charge.

• Who is eligible
• How this program helps older job seekers
• Job Search Seminars
• Senior Connection - A support group for job seekers 50+
• Creating or updating your resume
• Job interviewing tips
• A letter from one of our clients
• Number of mature job seekers served in 2007
• Employment resources
• Statistics and aging information
• Major funders of this program ($5000+)
• For more information
• Upcoming events

Who is eligible

The Senior Employment Program helps all individuals aged 50+ years who would like assistance with their job search.

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How this program helps older job seekers

Participants in the program learn the latest in job search techniques and strategies, specifically geared to the challenges the older job seeker faces in today's labor market. Our counselors teach a variety of skills including

• current resume and cover letter writing techniques
• today's job interview styles
• how to handle questions about age
• transitioning to a new career.

The Senior Employment Program offers assistance to older workers in several ways:

• monthly job search training seminars
• individual skills assessments and job search counseling
• current job postings 
• education to employers on the benefits of hiring the older worker.
• Support Group
  
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Job Search Seminars

If you’re 50+ you’ve probably noticed that searching for employment today is much different than when you looked for your first job. Job Search Seminars can help!

At our seminars you can learn how to

• use basic computer skills and the computer as a job search tool
• conduct an effective and successful job hunt
• target the hidden job market
• market yourself effectively to employers
• develop the skills to cope with the job search.

Senior Connection
A support group for job seekers 50+

Senior Connection connects older adults to

• other job seekers
• job leads
• career counseling
• job hunting tips & hints
• the latest market information
• educational opportunities.

• learn from experts in the field.
• hear who’s hiring and the positions currently available.
• find out from your fellow job seekers age 50+ what works.
• share your experiences and concerns.
• peruse job leads books.

Creating or updating your resume 

A resume is a reflection of you and usually has less than 10 seconds to make an impression on a prospective employer. The resume is used as both a screening out and a selection tool. Resumes that are messy, cluttered, hard to read or too lengthy will not be read and the opportunity to interview will be lost. Proofread your resume carefully to be sure everything is correct and that there are no spelling or typographical errors. Your resume reflects your personal style, attention to detail and your writing abilities.

Additional tips

1. Have your name, address and telephone number at the top of the page. Include your e-mail address if you have one.
    
2. Do not include career objectives. They can be given in your cover letter. (Yes, you should always use a cover letter!) You might consider beginning with a brief professional summary. Often the space can be better used to highlight your accomplishments.
    
3. Project a clear and positive image of yourself in as few words as possible one to two pages, maximum. The resume is not a narrative. Omit the word “I” and avoid long rambling paragraphs.
    
4. Do not include personal information such as height, weight, medical condition, marital status, date of birth, hobbies, etc. They can only serve to screen you out.
    
5. Do not go back more than 10-15 years or 3-4 employers under ‘Employment’ or ‘Work Experience’.
    
6. List educational institutions in reverse chronological order. It is not necessary to list date of attendance or graduation.
    
7. Do not list references on your resume. The statement “References Available Upon Request” is also unnecessary.
    
8. Do not list reasons for leaving past positions or have statements that could be interpreted as negative.
    
9. Do not list salary history or requirements. If salary history is requested, note in the cover letter that you would be glad to discuss it at an interview.
    
10. Carefully proofread your resume for spelling or grammatical errors and have at least one other person proofread. It is so easy to miss something important, and it is much better to have a friend catch a mistake than a prospective employer!

For additional information or resume assistance, contact the Senior Employment Program of The Senior Source at 214.823.5700 or email.

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Job interviewing tips 

The thirty minutes or so that you spend in a job interview can determine your future. Your presentation of skills, personal appearance and preparation for the job interview will influence the employer’s decision regarding offering you a position.

1. Be prepared to present your qualifications and skills to the employer in a positive manner. Mentally review your accomplishments before the interview.
    
2. Do your homework. Learn as much as you can about the employer and have questions ready to ask during the interview.
    
3. Know the exact time and location of the job interview. Arrive 10-15 minutes early to allow time for filling out applications.
    
4. Bring extra copies of your resume and samples of work or other materials that demonstrate your qualifications. Also, bring 2 pens (same color ink in case one quits? remember Murphy’s Law!), paper, reference information, records of past employment and education.
    
5. Dress neatly and wear attire appropriate to the job for which you are applying.  Appearance contributes to the overall impression you make and influences the employer’s decision.
    
6. Treat everyone, including the receptionist, cordially and with respect. Anyone you come in contact with may participate in the decision to hire you.
    
7. Smile, shake hands firmly and introduce yourself. Maintain good eye contact. First impressions are extremely important.
    
8. Sit comfortably but don’t sprawl, slump over or hold your body rigid. Try not to let your hands betray nervousness by drumming them, tapping a pencil or desk, etc. Body language conveys the way you feel about yourself.
    
9. Keep your answers focused on professional experiences and try to stay as current as possible. If you do not understand an interview question, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification.
    
10. Be frank if you left a job under unfavorable circumstances or were fired. You may want to say that it was a learning experience. However, never make negative references to past employers, even if the interviewer should do so.
     
11. Don’t discuss salary or other benefits until the employer mentions it. If the interviewer requests what salary you require, you may want to ask what range is being offered and negotiate from there.
     
12. Don’t forget to ask for the job, if you still want it at the end of the interview! You may also want to ask when the decision to hire will be made. Thank the interviewer for his/her time.
     
13. Send a thank you letter.
     

For additional information or resume assistance, contact the Senior Employment Program of The Senior Source at 214.823.5700 or email.

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A letter from one of our clients 

The following is an unsolicited letter from a gentleman who attended the Job Skills Seminar and looked through the job leads book.

"Today is a beautiful day for me. Why? Because thanks [to The Senior Source staff], I found a job.

I attended the job skills seminar hosted by yourself on November 17. This seminar was very informative to me and really set the stage for me to begin a job hunt in earnest. I am 58 years old, and have been self employed in the fast food and dry cleaning industries for the past 14 years, and have virtually no computer skills...yet I found a respectable, good-paying job.

Please tell your future attendees to never, never give up, to listen carefully to what you have to say, and please...use the job leads book. Why? Because I found my job by following up on a source listed in the job leads book. Miracles do happen. I am forever grateful to you for all your help and especially to [The Senior Source staff] who made all this possible for me."

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Number of people served in 2007

In 2007, 1,275 mature workers received job search assistance and training with 316 participating in the Senior Connection support group. The job leads database included more than 4,100 listings. Assistance and education, either by phone or in person, were provided to 2,151 older adults looking for employment and employers interested in hiring older workers. 51% of those who received individual counseling found jobs.

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Major funders of this program ($5000+) 

• City of Dallas, Environmental Health Services
• The Meadows Foundation
• Spirit of Generations Awards Luncheon
• United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Inc.
  
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For more information

Please contact the Senior Employment Program Director at 214.823.5700 or email. 

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