Skip to content

News Center | Georgia Institute of Technology Georgia Institute of Technology

Search

Search form

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • News Home
  • Campus Map
  • Directory
  • Offices

News Center

Menu
Close
  • Calendar
  • Categories
    • Business and Economic Development
    • Campus and Community
    • Earth and Environment
    • Health and Medicine
    • Science and Technology
    • Society and Culture
    • Feature Stories
  • Media Contacts
  • Experts
    • Find an Expert
    • Featured Expert
  • Daily Digest
  • The Whistle
    • Classifieds
    • Archives
  • Social Media
  • Subscribe
  • You are here:
  • GT Home
  • Georgia Tech NewsCenter
  • Home
  • For Those Over 50, Finding a Job Can Get Old
Society and Culture

For Those Over 50, Finding a Job Can Get Old

Research finds older workers remain unemployed nearly six weeks longer

June 16, 2015 • Atlanta, GA

Ruth Kanfer
Click image to enlarge
Download Image

Results from a new study led the Georgia Institute of Technology’s School of Psychology and University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management show that, compared to younger job seekers, older adults receive fewer job offers, search for weeks longer and are ultimately less likely to find re-employment after losing a job. The study is published by the journal Psychological Bulletin.

“There’s very robust evidence that as an individual moves beyond age 50, they experience a large penalty toward how quickly they will find a job,” says Professor Connie Wanberg, the Industrial Relations Faculty Excellence Chair at the Carlson School.

In examining the U.S. government’s 2014 Displaced Worker Survey, the researchers discovered that someone 50 years or older is likely to be unemployed 5.8 weeks longer than someone between the ages of 30-49, and 10.6 weeks longer than individuals ages 20-29. The study also found the odds of being re-employed decrease by 2.6 percent for each one-year increase in age.

New Model Identifies Hurdles That Slow Job Search for Older Candidates

As part of the study, the researchers explained the relationship between age and re-employment outcomes by creating an integrative model.

“The obstacles to re-employment success stem not just from employer views about older workers, but also from age-related differences in knowledge, skills and abilities and the kind of jobs people want,” said Georgia Tech Professor Ruth Kanfer, who co-led the study. “As individuals age, their skills and abilities change and they may often seek a different type of job. Consider construction workers who must carry heavy objects. If they change occupations or move into a different field, that is likely going to slow their search.”

Among the other factors the study found relevant to age and job search were social networks, marketplace needs, search strategies and what individuals wanted out of a job.

“Research indicates that as people age, their social networks tend to shrink. This impacts the quality of individuals’ ability to network effectively,” added Wanberg. “With respect to marketplace needs, the industry a person went into as a young worker might not be as lucrative later in his career. Skill obsolescence can play a role as well.”

Age May Also Factor into Pay, Job Satisfaction

The study also focused on whether there’s a relationship between a candidate’s age and other re-employment outcomes like wages and job satisfaction in their new role. While noting that existing research is scarce in this area, the evidence suggests older workers tend to find jobs that are somewhat lower in pay and less personally satisfying compared to their previous jobs.

Re-employment Difficulty Varies Geographically

Using datasets from around the world, the researchers discovered older job seekers were significantly more likely to find re-employment in North America and Eastern Asia, compared to Europe and Australia.

“Although we can’t know from this study exactly why this occurred, it may be that cultural attitudes, employment opportunities and mandatory retirement policies in these regions of the world make it more difficult for older job seekers,” said Kanfer.

Better Understanding of Factors Can Improve Prospects

The authors, who include Professors Darla Hamann from the University of Texas at Arlington and Zhen Zhang from Arizona State University, say their findings show the need for better understanding of how younger and older job seekers differ in their re-employment goals. According to Kanfer, “job loss is really difficult for older workers, many of whom have probably already been thinking about retiring or slowing down, but had not yet reached a level of financial security to permit retirement. Losing your job at this point in life creates a real conundrum – should I put myself through the strain of a job search or just retire for now?” 

For many older individuals, the prospect of a prolonged and potentially futile job search may prematurely drive them out of the workforce and even further decrease the chance for re-employment later in life.

The researchers hope that a more complete understanding of the complex factors contributing to slower re-employment outcomes will help older workers better plot their next move. Practitioners can also use the study to create training materials and workshops to better guide older workers.

###

Sidebar: Five Tips for Older Job Seekers

Based on the findings of their study, “Age and Re-employment Success after Job Loss,” Carlson School Professor Connie Wanberg and Georgia Tech’s Ruth Kanfer offer five pieces of advice for older job seekers.

Stay up-to-date with skills and your industry. “Despite there being many stereotypes about older workers that are not true, one that does seem to hold is that as workers age, they tend not to keep their learning going. Look for ways to grow your skills and stay current with your industry, even if you’re employed right now.”

Upgrade your job search skills. “Older workers tend to have longer job tenure, and so may be less familiar with new technologies and practices in today’s job search marketplace.  Explore different job search websites, applicant requirements and hiring trends for the industry and type of job you want to land.”

Be persistent. “Older workers should realize that they will find a job, it just may take a little bit longer. Understanding your particular situation and how it may play a role in your job search will help with the process.

Clarify your re-employment goals. “Losing one’s job is one of life’s most stressful experiences, particularly as one ages. Older workers should think about which features of
a new job are most important and set clear reemployment goals and priorities to guide their job search."

Build and expand your social networks. “As we get older, we tend to narrow our social networks more toward closer friends and family, and this may impact reemployment speed. Social networks are incredibly important in job finding, and individuals need to maintain them as they get older.”

Related Links

  • Read the study
  • School of Psychology

Contact Information

Jason Maderer
National Media Relations
maderer@gatech.edu
404-385-2966

Categories

Society and Culture

News Categories

  • Business and Economic Development
  • Campus and Community
  • Earth and Environment
  • Health and Medicine
  • Science and Technology
  • Society and Culture

Expert Voices

Margaret Kosal (Georgia Institute of Technology Photo)

Why Is the U.S. in Niger?
Margaret Kosal
The Sam Nunn School of International Affairs
Richard Utz
Winter is Coming (Back, This Sunday)
Richard Utz
School of Literature, Media, and Communication

Featured Videos

Cybersecurity experts have a new tool in the fight against hackers – a decoy robot. Researchers at Georgia Tech built the “HoneyBot” to lure hackers into thinking they had taken control of a robot, but instead the robot gathers valuable information about the bad actors, helping businesses better protect themselves from future attacks.

See the shot built by the Harlem Globetrotter and Georgia Tech students.

For their work on an algorithm based on bee colony behavior a team of Georgia Tech systems engineers and a Cornell University collaborator, who studies bees, won The Golden Goose Award. It recognizes the practical, impactful contributions to society by research that may appear musing. The award highlights the high value of curiosity-driven science to humanity. Credit: National Science Foundation 

Georgia Tech Resources

  • Offices & Departments
  • News Center
  • Campus Calendar
  • Special Events
  • GreenBuzz
  • Institute Communications
  • Visitor Resources
  • Campus Visits
  • Directions to Campus
  • Visitor Parking Information
  • GTvisitor Wireless Network Information
  • Georgia Tech Global Learning Center
  • Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center
  • Barnes & Noble at Georgia Tech
  • Ferst Center for the Arts
  • Robert C. Williams Paper Museum

Colleges, Instructional Sites & Research

  • Colleges
  • College of Computing
  • College of Design
  • College of Engineering
  • College of Sciences
  • Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
  • Scheller College of Business
  • Instructional Sites
  • Georgia Tech-Lorraine
  • Georgia Tech-Shenzhen
  • Georgia Tech Online
  • Professional Education
  • The Language Institute
  • Global Footprint
  • Global Engagement
  • Research
  • Georgia Tech Research Institute
  • Research at Georgia Tech
  • Executive Vice President for Research

Student & Parent Resources

  • Student Resources
  • Apply
  • BuzzPort
  • Buzzcard
  • Career Center
  • Co-ops & Internships
  • Commencement
  • Library
  • Student Affairs
  • Student Entrepreneurship
  • Study Abroad
  • T-Square
  • Parent Resources
  • Parent and Family Programs
  • Dean of Students
  • Scholarships & Financial Aid

Employee, Alumni, & Other Resources

  • Employees
  • Administration and Finance
  • Advising & Teaching
  • Faculty Affairs
  • Faculty Hiring
  • Human Resources
  • Office of the Provost
  • TechWorks
  • Alumni
  • Alumni Association
  • Alumni Career Services
  • Giving Back to Tech
  • Outreach
  • Startup Companies
  • Economic Development
  • Industry Engagement
  • Government & Community Partners
  • Professional Education
Map of News Center | Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia Institute of Technology
North Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30332
Phone: (404) 894-2000

  • Contact Us
  • Site Feedback
  • Tech Lingo
  • Emergency Information
  • Legal & Privacy Information
  • Human Trafficking Notice
  • Accessibility
  • Accountability
  • Accreditation
  • Employment
Georgia Tech

© Georgia Institute of Technology