Nov. 30--Displaced workers over the age of 50 may remember the good old days when jobs could be found by pounding the pavement and knocking on doors.

Waste of time, says Don Zirkle, training and placement supervisor at the Senior Employment Center in Akron, a division of Mature Services Inc.

"The competition [for jobs] is a lot stiffer, and with so many unemployed, you need to not only work harder, but smarter" when searching for a job, he said.

That includes researching companies, targeting employers that make a good fit, and understanding what words and action will get their attention, Zirkle said.

One very busy program operated by the center is the Job Club, a 13-day course that teaches older workers more efficient ways of finding a new employer.

"There are so many tools and resources out there, but you've got to learn how to tap into them and how to use them," Zirkle said.

A year ago, the center was operating one Job Club a month. This year, it has been running two a month, with up to 15 people per class.

"The staff is working really hard and putting in long hours" because of the increased need, Zirkle said.

During one class last week, Job Club members took turns practicing an interview with Dave Robinson, manager of the Goodyear Heights branch of National City.

While the students waited their turn, instructor Chris Walker walked through their answers to a survey, gauging how much they had learned in the previous two weeks and what areas might need to be strengthened.

Vallie Harlan called the class "amazing" and said the program taught her things she never had to learn before.

"I've never been in the job market. I've been gainfully employed all my life until 15 months ago," when she was downsized as part of a corporate restructuring, she said.

At 53, she feared her age was a disadvantage.

She and others in the group said their careers grew through years of practical experience, but many employers ask for a college degree.

Not being able to fill that part of an application stops many older workers from even getting a foot in the door to explain how their experience is just as valuable.

Dave Weida, 62, said older workers also have to learn how to tailor their resume, whittling a lifetime of experience down to the skills and traits that truly interest a specific employer.

"I've had maybe seven positions in 40 years," he said. "They've helped me immensely here in learning what to include."

Carol Moore, 55, said she represents another challenge -- older workers who have to change careers because medical problems keep them from the physical labor they did before.

"Twenty years ago, I did secretarial [work] but everything's changed. We didn't have computers then. We still used typewriters," she said.

But age itself doesn't have to hold a job seeker back, Zirkle said. Age anxiety hurts older workers because employers will sense that "defeatist mentality," he said.

At the Senior Employment Center, "we help them get that attitude out of their system, then refocus," Zirkle said.

"Most employers can teach you the work that needs to be done. What they're looking for are people who will fit into their environment and will help the company achieve their goals."

In addition to valuable experience, older workers often have a work ethic that can't be matched by younger generations, he said.

"Employers' No. 1 complaint is attendance," Zirkle said, "and mature workers usually have a good, solid attendance record, so that's in your favor, too."

Paula Schleis can be reached at 330-996-3741 or pschleis@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/paulaschleis.

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