What's Keeping the Jobless From Getting Jobs?

Despite job growth and reductions in the U.S. jobless rate, people 55 and older with long-term unemployment are having trouble finding jobs. The problem may not necessarily be a lack of jobs but an increasingly defeatist attitude among those who have not had a job for more than six months.

MarketWatch claims a new study by MIT professor Ofer Sharone illuminates the plight of long-term unemployment on ordinary Americans. Two facts emerged about the jobless rate. First, unemployment for people 55 and older has been climbing since September 2014. Rates are still lower than the national average, but the figure goes in the opposite direction. Second, 2.8 million unemployed Americans fall into the long-term category, or 31 percent overall. Nearly half of these out-of-work citizens are 55 and older.

Why does long-term unemployment adversely affect older people? Americans tend to blame themselves for being unemployed. Rather than realizing an employer may not be a good fit, workers tend to ask "What is wrong with me?" or "Why won't they hire me?" instead of trying to find a job to fit to a particular skill set. When a person blames himself, the effect accumulates and a job hunter tends to cut back on job searches or even stop looking for employment altogether as frustration increases.

Another factor involves relevant support networks. Job-seeker support networks tend to exacerbate the problem. These networks focus on success stories rather than offering empathy and sympathy to those having trouble finding jobs. For long-term unemployment, the attitude of "Why me?" gets worse because someone thinks, "If all of these other people can get jobs, why can't I?"

To help with this increasing problem, Sharone created his own support network with 40 job coaches. Instead of ignoring the negative feelings of long-term unemployment, the Institute for Career Transitions gave personalized counseling to professionals without jobs. Some of these people went to additional support groups, while others did not. Those with support group attendance found jobs 30 percent of the time, while those without support group attendance only found jobs at an 18 percent rate.

Take into account a few tips for combating age bias in the labor pool. Show your technical prowess by updating your social media and LinkedIn profiles. Search for jobs online but also network along the way. Online job searching shows you are tech-savvy. Develop new working relationships or look up past co-workers to find more people who can vouch for your work ethic. While you are unemployed, volunteer at an organization and use that on your resume. If need be, put your volunteer work as your most recent employer to show you have remained active during unemployment. Despite the system's shortcomings, join a local support group to find people in similar situations. American Job Centers have locations and meeting times of relevant groups.

Long-term unemployment does not have to be a stigma. Although younger employees seem to be earning more and more positions versus older Americans, use your years of experience, vast networking capabilities and industry knowledge to get the coveted job right for you.