More older workers are applying for entry-level jobs, survey finds

‘Mature workers, including myself, know the importance of showing up on time, working hard and having enjoyable interactions with guests and staff,” Kharasch says. Those qualities, which

often are referred to as “soft skills,” are especially valuable now to businesses seeking reliable workers. For example, as travel resumes after the pandemic emergency, many hotels and

restaurants are on a hiring spree. Kharasch says that’s good news for people over 50. In June, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), reported that more than 80 percent of

hotels in the U.S. are experiencing staffing shortages and offering increased wages, greater flexibility and expanded benefits as hiring incentives. “For older workers who want a flexible

job, the restaurant/hospitality business is built on utilizing a part-time staff,” Kharasch says. PURSUING A PASSION AFTER RETIREMENT A 2023 AARP survey found that older workers are

rethinking their priorities and looking for jobs that go beyond a paycheck and offer a meaningful experience and flexibility. Many entry-level jobs offer the work-life balance older workers

seek. When Lisa King, 63, of Newark, Delaware, retired last February from her marketing job with a global materials science company, she saw it as an opportunity for a new beginning. “I

enjoy working and having a purpose, so after taking time off to recharge, I started looking for a flexible job where I could make a contribution,” King says. To determine jobs that would be

a good match, King met with Ed Samuel, a senior executive career coach with SamNova in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, to undergo a career assessment that took a deep dive into her

personality, likes, skills and values. After a two-hour consultation, Samuel worked with King on her resume and offered recommendations for jobs he thought she’d thrive in.