Hot jobs for over-40 job hunters

The job market is tougher than it has been in 30 years right now. And if you are an older unemployed worker, its even tougher.

But there's hope for older job seekers, if you choose the right profession.

Age can work against you when you're competing with 20 and 30 somethings for the same position, despite what employers may say. But Boston College's Sloan Center on Aging says there are some careers where it actually helps to be over age 40. 

Many of these jobs involve dealing with older people, who are more comfortable working with a mature person, than a 20-something who may not understand their needs.

The Sloan Center's list of hot fields for the over 40 set includes:

• Accounting.
• Internet security.
• Nursing.
• Home health care.
• Pharmacy assistance.
• And "aging in place" remodeling, someone who installs ramps and grab bars in homes of older people. 

The entire "aging in place" field is expected to be red hot in the coming decade, as aging boomers decide to stay put in their homes, rather than move into Senior housing.

Doesn't that Stink?

But from the Doesn't that Stink file, the stigma still attached to older job hunters.

Websites like Workforce50.com (click here) and Jobs4.0.com (click here) post jobs listings for older workers.

But at Workforce50.Com, just one job is listed in the state of Ohio, while there are no job listings for the whole state of Florida.  None! Many other states are not much better. Doesn't that stink?

Jobs 4.0 appeared to have a few more listings.

Other Websites for Older Job Hunters

One site listing jobs and career ideas for college educated retirees is RetiredBrains.com. (Click here)

Another site for lower income retirees looking for work is ExperienceWorks.com.   (Click here)

And to research jobs for older workers, check out The Second Act Career Guide.  (click here).

The Bottom Line

Websites for older job hunters are a good idea. But at this point, training for a specific career that needs older workers -- like health care -- may be your best bet.

Can't afford to go back to school? Don't despair. The report says there will be more and more demand for jobs to take care of the aging population. And many of those jobs don't require a four year degree, just a willingness to work and help others.

As always don't waste your money.

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