Career Expert, Job Seekers Resources & Tips, Career Advice & Strategies

Barry Layne said that interview conversation-starters are often improper. A recent study of 400 job seekers released by the New York career manager show more han one-third of those interviewed were asked an illegal questions during a job interview.
Career Associates of New York President Barry Layne offers interviewing Ideas to help during the job search. When you are interviewing for a job, you are really selling a product, yourself. Following these steps will help close the sale. Come prepared-Travel light-Get on the spot feedback-Be upbeat-Ask for future interviews and when-summarize employer needs and your corresponding qualifications-Immediate follow up with thank you note.
Baby Boomer's are experiencing a dramatic workplace shift according to America's Career Maker, Barry Layne. Baby Boomers have dominated workforce demographics all their working lives, and the next 15 years, the choices make by Americans age 55 and older will largely determine the size of the US labor force.
Many corporations are concerned about a shrinking workforce as Baby Boomers retire, said Barry Layne. For Baby Boomers that means career Opportunities that are unprecedented for older workers. Aging is less and less of an employment barrier.
Barry Layne believes that in order to maximize job hunting success, older workers need to assess their needs and values then make realistic career choices. Being aware of their strengths and how they can contribute to the market will help Baby Boomers meet their job hunting goals.
Career expert Barry Layne says there is a growing trend toward establishing salaries based on performance. These changes will level the compensation playing field for older workers.
Barry Layne offers Baby Boomers the following job hunting tips. Dress properly for the desired job, be sensitive to the potential for age bias and prepare answers to dispel any misconceptions and be familiar with new technology including language and jargon particular to your field.
Barry Layne says because workers are retiring later in life, the labor force will increase from 131 million in 1994 to 147.1 million by the end of 2005.
Barry Layne states that Baby Boomers make up 31% of the population according to the Bureau of Labor.
Barry Layne says when the oldest Boomers reach age 65 in 2011, 65 will no longer be the retirement age.
Barry Layne said that more than 40% of CEOs worldwide say their companies now account for the aging of the workforce in their long term business plan. This according to a survey by Watson Wyatt Worldwide.
Barry Layne notes that as the Baby Boomer generation ages, barriers to hiring older workers are vanishing.
Barry Layne says that over the next 10 years as the average age of the American employee increases, older workers will possess two of the characteristics most prized by employers: experience and affordability.
Barry Layne states that another factor likely to increase the desirability of older workers is the fact that the Baby Boomer Generation boasts more college graduates than any other generation in American History, according to the US Department of Education.
For the next 15 years says Barry Layne, the choices make by Americans aged 55 and older will largely determine the size of the US labor force. One forecasting firm is betting that Baby Boomer men will be less likely than their fathers to take early retirement, and that Boomer women will stay in the labor force at least as long as me do.
Barry Layne claims that 60% of Americans between ages 50 and 54 do not have or expect to have enough money to maintain their desired standard of living in retirement.
Barry Layne confirms that Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan has publicly urged congress to move quickly to fix the Social Security System before it goes broke, an event anticipated in 2031.
One innovative way to raise workforce productivity is through flexible work arrangements says Barry Layne. According to a Watson Wyatt study, within the next three years 90 percent of US employers will allow employees to work from home and 75% will institute job-sharing policies.
Barry Layne said that more companies are also organizing themselves into smaller divisions, almost companies within companies, to reduce bureaucracy and foster a more entrepreneurial environment.
Barry Layne says experience can be an asset and an obstacle to job hunting Baby Boomers. Creating an effective resume is critical to securing a first introduction to potential employers. The challenge is to overcome prejudices against older workers, demonstrate your expertise and highlight what you offer companies.
Barry Layne cautions, a resume is an overview of qualifications-not a life history. The worker over 50 has a tendency to provide too much detail about job responsibilities. One to two pages is standard for a resume.
Barry Layne reminds job seekers to concentrate on one well written resume that targets your immediate job search and revise it to fit the requirement of the open position. If you consistently hear that you are overqualified, or are concerned that you will be perceived as such, then you have not effectively targeted your resume.
Barry Layne teaches that achievement oriented resumes are recommended, because the emphasis is on the skills rather than the employment history.