Job Search Tips for Boomers

In September of last year, I made a tough decision to return to the workforce after a seven-year attempt to make it as an entrepreneur. I am still working.

Going back to work put me in an environment I left for good reason. I didn't like the idea of working for younger bosses who thought they knew everything and didn't value what older workers brought to the table. I found it impossible to deal with younger co-workers who had the same attitudes. But I am not going to use this space to vent about the past. I am moving onward and upward in a new direction.

Over the past several years, this blog has been focused on boomer related subjects and issues. It will remain the same but with a clearer focus. As a boomer who has returned to the workforce I want to share some useful tips and information that can help others do the same thing.

This particular topic is on how to get back into the job market.

First of all let me say, finding a job is challenging for anyone in tough economic times but it's harder if you're over the age of 50. Although it's illegal for employers to discriminate based on age, any older job-seeker will tell you it happens ever day. Before I landed my current job, I sent out dozens and dozens of resumes and attended a number of job seminars.

Here are some job tips for boomers with some help from AARP:

1) Use books and online tools to help craft the best resume, which should be no longer than two pages. Don't let your resume reflect your age. Let your experience speak for itself.

2) Highlight your experience in detail on your resume and in your cover letter. Outline why you, an older employee, are the best candidate for the position.

3) If you haven't participated in an interview for awhile, you should brush up on your interview skills. Ask one of your teenage children/spouse or friend to ask you some anticipated questions.

4) Get in touch with old contacts. You never know who knows who and networking still remains one of the best ways to find a job.

5) Don't get discouraged. The job hunting process is truly an exercise in patience. You may be sending out dozens of resumes before you get your first call.

Celebrating Grandparents Day for the Sixth Year

If anyone had told me I would be a grandmother before the age of 50 and my daughter would become a teenage mom, I would’ve called them a liar and reminded them that my daughter was raised with the right morals and values so that wouldn’t ever be an issue I would be concerned about.  It’s probably the same thing Sarah Palin thought about her daughter, Bristol. 

While my daughter is working diligently to complete her final year in college, her stepfather and I have joined the ranks of primary caregivers for five-year-old grandchild. We are part of a growing trend in America—joining nearly millions of grandparents who have grandchildren living with them.

Here are more numbers from the AARP about grandparent caregivers: 

Nearly 7.8 million children live in households headed by a grandparent or other relative

More than 2.5 million grandparents say they are responsible for most of the basic needs, such as clothing, food and shelter, of one or more grandchildren who live with them.. 

21 percent, the percentage of preschoolers who are cared for primarily by their grandparents while their mother is employed or in school.

My mother and I were both the same age when we had a baby---age 32---and we were both married.  That trend seems to be fading away as grandmothers become younger because their daughters are having children at a much younger age.

Is there a blame to place for this so called "new normal"?  What do you think?

AARP Tests the Spelling Skills of Baby Boomers

Back in 1996, a group of AARP members in Cheyenne, Wyoming decided to create an AARP National Spelling Bee. This was their fun way of challenging their peers to keep their minds sharp as they age.

Seventeen years later, the spelling bee is still going strong. The 17th annual event will be held August 11, 2012, at The Little America Hotel and Resort in Cheyenne. It's open to anyone age 50 or older who compete for gifts and prizes.

The competition begins at 8:30am and is free to spectators.

In addition to spelling bee, visitors will enjoy exploring historic museums and hotels, and nearby attractions; shopping at western-themed stores; or finding a special treasure among the many art galleries. The Laramie County Library, named Best Library of the Year in 2009 by Library Journal magazine, is a popular attraction for spellers.

Visitors will receive a special rate at Little America Hotel and Resort, which includes a free round of golf, by calling the hotel directly at 800-445-6945 (rate NOT available online). Details of all Cheyenne events and attractions, and additional lodging options, are available online at www.cheyenne.org.

AARP and Baby Boomer Men are on Fire

Who says men are the only ones who can have "eye candy?"

Imagine my pleasant surprise when I saw who was gracing the cover of the summer edition of AARP magazine....none other than DENZEL WASHINGTON! So what if it's only a picture. It still looks good enough to drive any baby boomer woman crazy and he is definitely EYE CANDY (no disrespect to his lovely wife Pauletta).

Denzel is one of 21 baby boomer men who are honored in the June/July issue of AARP the Magazine in its first ever “Men on Fire” list. Blazing with soul, style, and sex appeal, these 21 men are a hot mix of lovers, thinkers, and rebels.

The “Men on Fire” list includes a handsome assortment of men, including actors Colin Firth, Antonio Banderas, Liam Neeson and Samuel Jackson, musicians Yo- Yo Ma and Jon Bon Jovi.

“Our readers understand that sex appeal is ageless, so we thought a feature on the sexiest men over 50 would be a great way to kick off summer, ” said Nancy Perry Graham, editor-in-chief of AARP The Magazine. She's got that right!

Personally, I'm glad to see more lists like this coming out to honor our baby boomer men. Boomer Diva Nation was the FIRST to do it in 2010

Although the AARP Magaine doesn't come out until Thursday, May 24, you can check out the online version NOW at www.aarp.org/magazine.

AARP Calling All Baby Boomer Spellers

Is your 401K leaving much to be desired these days? If you can spell, you might want to consider a trip to Cheyenne, Wyoming for the 16th annual AARP National Spelling Bee. You could win $5,000 if you beat all of the other boomer spellers.

I was the fourth grade spelling champion at my school. I wonder how far that would get me.

Meanwhile, here's the official press release:


CHEYENNE, Wyo. (April 4, 2011) – Visit Cheyenne for a SPELL while the city hosts the 16th annual AARP National Spelling Bee, June 17– 18, 2011, at The Little America Hotel and Resort. Open to anyone age 50 or older, the Bee attracts spellers from all over the United States who compete for gifts and prizes. New this year, the top speller winnings have increased to $5,000.

In celebration of the competition, Cheyenne is offering city-wide events and attractions all weekend long, as well as a special hotel rate. In addition, a free pre-Bee workshop, Gray Matters: Training the Grownup Brain, will feature interactive sessions that explain the impact of diet, fitness, and relationships on brain health, and answer your questions. The workshop begins Friday at 8:30 a.m., includes lunch, and concludes at 1:00 p.m.

Whether you enjoy reading the dictionary to keep your mind sharp or just to meet other like-minded adults, the AARP National Spelling Bee always proves to be exciting and highly competitive,” said Tim Summers, AARP Wyoming Director. “Many of the spellers prepare year-round for this competition, and we’re pleased to be able to provide the forum for folks to test themselves. And while they are here, they can also enjoy Cheyenne’s many attractions and events that coincide with the Bee.”

In addition to these events, visitors will enjoy exploring historic museums and hotels, and nearby attractions; shopping at western-themed stores; or finding a special treasure among the many art galleries. The Laramie County Library, named Best Library of the Year in 2009 by Library Journal magazine, is a popular attraction for spellers. Visitors will receive a special rate at Little America Hotel and Resort, which includes a free round of golf, by calling the hotel directly at 800-445-6945 (rate NOT available online). Details of all Cheyenne events and attractions, and additional lodging options, are available online at www.cheyenne.org.

About the Spelling BeeThe AARP National Spelling Bee was created in 1996 by a group of AARP members in Cheyenne, Wyoming, who wanted a fun way to challenge their peers to keep their minds sharp as they age. The competition has been held every year since, and always in Cheyenne. A group of dedicated volunteers select the words, write the sentences, organize, and promote the event. Spellers travel from across the United States to showcase a lifetime of knowledge and to celebrate their years of experience.
Registration is available via www.aarp.org/spellingbeee or by calling 1-877-926-8300. Pre-event registration is $40 for spellers and remains open through June 11, 2010. Walk-in registration costs $50. A complete schedule for the two days, sample word lists, contest details and official rules, can be found online or by calling the AARP office in Wyoming at 1-866-663-3290.

Where are the Baby Boomers Located

It should come as no surprise that the majority of baby boomers reside in the largest states. According to data recorded by the US Census in 2008, here is how the top states ranked for baby boomers:

California 8,809,263
Texas 5,637,468
NY 5,081,366
Florida 4,647,133
Pennsylvania 3,372,858
Ohio 3,056,377

Meanwhile, according to the AARP, here are the top places for baby boomers to reinvent themselves in retirement:

1) Loveland, Colorado
2) Las Cruces, NM
3) Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
4) Portland, Oregon
5) Greenville, SC
6) Sarasota, FL
7) Ann Arbor, MI
8) Tuscon, AZ
9) Montpelier, VT
10) Honolulu, HI

How many of these cities have you visited and what do you think of them? I've been to Greenville, SC and as a baby boomer I can definitely say it is NOT a place for African-American baby boomers to spend the rest of their lives.

Where will you retire, baby boomer?

AARP, The Magazine recently announced its top five retirement communities. Since I’m a baby boomer who will eventually retire some day, I was eager to see the cities named. After reviewing the list, I wondered how they came up with those particular cities. Editor Steve Sloan says they looked at a variety of things including: "mass-transit systems so residents can drive less, expanded sidewalks to encourage walking, better health care, and a wide range of mixed use housing."

See for yourself:

Top Five Cities to Live in for 2007:

Atlanta, GA: A sophisticated metropolis with southern charm, Atlanta offers abundant volunteer and cultural opportunities. Retirees also appreciate the wide range of housing options.

My thoughts: Atlanta is, indeed, a metropolis---way too busy for me with traffic that would make you want to commit road rage or have a heart attack.

Beacon Hill in Boston, MA: This historically genteel part of Boston is full of culture and great restaurants. The Beacon Hill Village provides concierge style access to a network of support services for aging residents including transportation, healthcare and entertainment.

My thoughts: I’ve lived in Boston and know exactly where Beacon Hill is. It was EXPENSIVE to live there back then and I can’t imagine that its changed much. I certainly don’t want to use up all of my retirement money just trying to keep a roof over my head.

Chandler, AZ: Gracious desert living combined with an activist twist that encourages residents to get involved with the spirit of the town. A city climate and plenty of parks and open space provide ample recreation opportunities.

My thoughts: Never been there but the word “desert” doesn’t sit well for me with “hot flashes.”

Milwaukee, WI: An example of urban renewal at its best, Milwaukee features picturesque river walks and affordable water-front living.

My thoughts: Beer is brewed there, isn’t it?

Portland, OR: European charm meets environmental nirvana in this environmentally progressive city. 50-plus residents love the miles of safe bike lanes and the revitalized Pearl District.

My thoughts: I can’t see myself riding for miles on a bicycle; besides, I haven’t been on one in years.

OK…so here are my Top Five Places to Retire---in no particular order:

Asheville, NC
New Bern, NC
Merrimack, NH
St. Lucia (in the Caribbean)
Sedona, Arizona

What are YOUR Top 5?