Tips for finding a new job later in life

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - Think you're in trouble if you lose your job later in life? Dawn Fay, district president of Robert Half Staffing Agency, says age could actually be an advantage in this economy.

Fay says there are lots of opportunities for people of all ages, especially more senior workers. Now that the stock market has recovered, Fay says, a lot of individuals who put off retirement are now retiring. That means companies are seeing a drain of upper level individuals in the marketplace, and they need to replace them.

Fay says older workers are extremely valuable, they just need to know how to market themselves. They have a breadth of skills and experience that they need to showcase.

If you're looking for a job after working in the same field for years, don't be afraid to let a prospective employer know how you could coach and mentor other less experienced workers.

Be confident and highlight the relevant work experience you've had in your lifetime. If haven't looked for work in years, remember that the job hunting game has changed. Make sure you're networking online and in-person, and putting your resume both online and on paper. Fay says you should be prepared either way.

Some employers still like paper resumes and business cards. Others only use their phones or computers. You may go to swap a business card with somebody who will pull out their phone instead, so you should be prepared for both.

Also be willing to change careers. Customer service is a hot industry right now with a lot of job openings, even if you don't have prior experience.

Fay says if you're a strong communicator and are willing to be trained, organizations are interested. They're hiring those kinds of people, training them on their systems, products, and services and really helping those individuals understand what it's like to be a customer service representative at that company.

And it's not just customer service. Accounting, IT, and even graphic design have openings.

Visit www.roberthalf.com for more information.