Resources for Job Seekers! Click on each category to reveal listed items.
AARP
AARP: AARP represents the needs of nearly 38 million members with lifestyles and political views as diverse as any group in the United States. Developing public policy recommendations that serve such diversity is a formidable task. We concentrate on the issues most important to those in the 50+ community as they age: economic security; health care; access to affordable, quality long-term care; creating and maintaining livable communities; consumer protections; caregiving; and ensuring that our democracy works better for all. AARP
Adult Learning
BroadbandSearch: 20 Essential Internet Learning Resources for Adults – Where should you start online if you want to learn? Here are 16 of the top resources for you to review and see if they are for you…with tips for you to get the most out of your learning experience! 20 Essential Internet Learning Resources for Adults
BOUNCE PROGRAM. The Bounce Program™ is one of Australia’s leading soft skills training companies, delivering world-class, life-changing programs to jobseekers, businesses, companies, and government departments all over Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA. If you’re a resident of the City of Worcester, you can take advantage of this program. The Bounce Program
CHANGING THE NARRATIVE: Changing the Narrative just released Guidelines for Age-Inclusive Communications. It covers language, messaging and visuals to use—and what to avoid. Guidelines for Age-Inclusive Language
Artificial Intelligence
AI’s Influence on Decision-Making: What Leaders Need to Know The Role of AI in Decision-Making: A Business Leader’s Guide explores how AI is reshaping decision-making processes for business leaders, offering valuable knowledge and strategies for leveraging this technology effectively. The Role of AI in Decision-Making: A Business Leader’s Guide delves into:
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An overview of the evolution of AI
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A statistical look at the current state of AI use in business
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How different sectors use AI to enhance performance
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10 ways AI can help leaders make better decisions
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The risks of AI
Bilingual Resources
Affordable Health Insurance: Guide to Medicaid: How to Qualify and Apply for Medicaid. For many families, navigating our healthcare Medicaid system can feel overwhelming, especially if English is not the natively spoken language. As a resource center (Note: we do not sell or provide healthcare plans), we are working diligently to make Medicaid accessible to all by eliminating issues cause by language barrier. With the help from our insurance experts, our new guides walk individuals through the qualifying process for Medicaid in their state, how to apply, and more importantly, offering it in the language that is natively spoken in their home. You can view them here:
- https://www.affordablehealthinsurance.com/medicaid/
- https://www.affordablehealthinsurance.com/medicaid/spanish/
Bellevue College; Who Can Take an ESL Class? Immigrants, refugees or U.S. Citizens over 18 years of age whose first language is not English. Bellevue College provides English language classes to students with a college or career goal. Bellevue College
Berlitz: Learn a language. Open your world. Get the language skills, cultural understanding and confidence to open up your world with Berlitz. Berlitz
edX: Improve your English skills with ESL courses to prepare for the TOEFL and IELTS language tests. Learn English vocabulary, writing and conversation to prepare for these important English proficiency tests with online classes. edX
JVS Rapid Employment Programs: If you are a recent refugee arrival (within 5 years of their date of entry to the country), working with anyone that is a recent refugee arrival or another refugee eligible population within 5 years since their entry (asylee, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), Cuban Haitian Entrant (CHE)) who is looking for a job and ESL classes, please contact: Lena Thomas at LThomas@jvs-boston.org. For an overview of the programs: JVS Refugee Rapid Employment Programs.pdf
Medicare Plans: Navigating the healthcare system can feel overwhelming and seemingly impossible to navigate, especially for those who are not native English speakers. As a Medicare plans resource center (Note: we do not sell or provide healthcare plans), we are working diligently to make Medicare accessible to all qualified seniors by removing the language barrier that can potentially prevent them from learning about coverage to support their long term health. We aim to deliver fact-based, expert-reviewed information about Medicare that can help provide support to our Spanish speaking communities.
Entrepreneurship
Adobe: Adobe has created a guide to serve as a go-to resource for freelance business owners who want to learn how to organize and manage their important documents such as certifications, licenses, contracts, and more. Running your own business can prove challenging, and we hope to ease that difficulty by providing this resource. Our goal is to help freelancers confidently pursue the freedom and success of managing their own businesses. Guide for Freelance Business Owners
Senior Entrepreneurship – The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Business Later in Life: Niels Bohrmann’s guide includes inspiration from successful entrepreneurs, business ideas, market statistics, and considerations for potential challenges in starting your own business for people who are 50+. Senior Entrepreneurship
Intergenerational
CoGenerate: We are creating a COMMUNITY that treats the viewpoints, wisdom and contributions of people of all ages and backgrounds with HONOR; that brings innovators, visionaries, leaders, practitioners, partners, individuals and colleagues together for LEARNING and seeking common-sense SOLUTIONS; and where the power of young and old is a source of OPTIMISM that together we can create a better future for future generations. https://cogenerate.org
Encore Network’s Age-Friendly Employer Guide: This guide documents the benefits to employers of including older adults in their talent pipeline strategy. Age- Friendly Employer Guide
Maximising Teamwork and Collaboration: A Senior Leaders’ Guide is a new guide published by Admincontrol.com to promote a cooperative culture for business success. Maximising Teamwork and Collaboration: A Senior Leaders’ Guide includes:
Part 1: The importance of teamwork and collaboration
Part 2: Identifying four main communication styles in business
Part 3: Strategies to enhance collaboration, from staff to management/board level
Part 4: Additional resources for improving teamwork
nextavenue: public media’s first national journalism service for America’s booming older population. Their daily content delivers vital ideas, context and perspectives on issues that matter most as we age. Their mission is to meet the needs and unleash the potential of older Americans through the power of media. www.nextavenue.org/
Job Search
Networking Groups
MassHire Career Centers
The MassHire Department of Career Services provides job seekers with a variety of job assistance services, including working with experienced career counselors, attending workshops and short-term training, accessing up-to-date local, statewide, and national job listings, developing resumes, writing cover letters, and more. Find one of the 28 MassHire Career Centers near you and check out their monthly calendar for classes, workshops and events: www.mass.gov/masshire-career-centers/locations
Operation ABLE
Since 1982, Operation ABLE, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization, has provided job seekers with training programs and employment services. They offer a variety of services including occupational and computer skills training, workshops, job search training and support, coaching and counseling. www.operationable.net
Financial Executives Networking Group (FENG)
A 501(c)(3), founded in 1991 as a forum for senior financial executives to share job opportunities and experiences. FENG has grown from a small Connecticut based organization to one with over 40,000 members spread across the US and internationally. It is the largest networking group of its type in the entire world. www.thefeng.org
Metrowest Networkers Group
Westford Job Seekers Network
The J. V. Fletcher Library offers a weekly service at the library on Wednesdays from 2-4:30 pm. For additional info: www.westfordlibrary.org
Neurodiversity
Disability inclusion in the workplace… In an increasingly digital and remote working environment, it’s important to focus on inclusivity. This guide explores the key aspects of disability in the workplace in depth, providing insight into how inclusive company policies and working styles tend to be (or tend not to be), as well as showcasing key data. We’ll also look at what methods companies can use to ensure a more inclusive culture. By making disability inclusion a priority, businesses can help drive motivation, engagement, and talent retention at work. The definitive guide to disability inclusion in the workplace
Neurodiversity in the Modern Workplace: https://www.helloezra.com/neurodiversity-modern-workplace/ provides an overview of the benefits and challenges of a neurodiverse workforce, as well as guidance on supporting neurodiverse employees.
Managing Employee Well-being: https://www.jam.co.uk/responsible-screen-time-employee-wellbeing/ provides information on the relationship between screen time and well-being, how to improve emotional and physical health through responsible screen time, and encourages two-way conversations between employees and managers.
The Amazing Advantages of ADHD at Work: For over a year, Marlee’s neurodiverse team had this ongoing survey that explores the significant impact brought by individuals with ADHD in the workplace. We’ve compiled our findings into this easy-to-digest piece titled ‘The Amazing Advantages of ADHD at Work,’ which highlights how individuals with ADHD contribute unique strengths such as creativity, hyperfocus, and adaptability to certain job roles. We believe it could offer a fresh perspective on workplace neurodiversity, providing valuable insights for your audience and help spread the word that neurodiverse individuals are active participants in the overall success of businesses and organizations. The Amazing Advantages of ADHD at Work
Arielle Executive: Guide for individuals with disabilities interested in working remotely. Working remotely offers several benefits for individuals with disabilities. Our article, Remote Work Resources For Individuals With Disabilities covers those benefits, as well as:
How To Remodel A Remote Workspace For An Employee With Disabilities
Best Accessibility Software And Technologies For Remote Work
Becoming A Remote-Ready Candidate/Employee
How Management Can Support Employees With Disabilities
Our article also discusses creating a telework-friendly workspace, how to find a job at a telework-friendly workplace and how to write a resume and cover letter for a remote job. The full guide can be found here: https://arielle.com.au/work-from-home-disability/
Resume Builder, Resume and Employment Guide for People With Disabilities: People with disabilities encounter numerous challenges in securing employment. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 17.9 percent of persons with a disability were employed compared to 61.8 percent for persons without a disability. Our resource is focused on helping people with disabilities create a strong resume that would help increase their chances of getting hired. Important information such as laws that protect their rights and dealing with workplace discrimination and harassment are also included to help them prepare for employment. Resume and Employment Guide for People With Disabilities
NVISION Eye Centers: Although people who are visually impaired work in as many different job sectors as people with normal vision, the unemployment rate of visually impaired people is significantly higher. The rate of employment of visually impaired individuals has been steadily increasing, but more opportunities need to be made for these highly qualified and skilled individuals to enter the workforce. https://www.nvisioncenters.com/education/careers-for-visually-impaired
Publications
Remote Work
Job Hunting in the Age of Remote Work: Virtual Interviews & Onboarding The guide covers:
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How remote working has changed job hunting, for better and for worse
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Starting a new job as a remote worker and how to ace a virtual interview
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What to do if something goes wrong in your new remote role
Work-Life Balance While Working From Home: As remote work has become increasingly popular, with many people preferring a hybrid model. To maintain a healthy work-life balance, it’s essential to establish a dedicated workspace, effective time management, and clear communication with colleagues. https://www.comparethemarket.com/mortgages/content/achieve-a-work-life-balance-working-from-home/
Retraining and Certifications
Volunteerism and Internships
VOLUNTEERISM
AARP Foundation Experience Corps is for those age 50 and older who want to dedicate their time to helping children improve their reading skills. The organization found that students who work with Experience Corps volunteers see as much as a 60% improvement in critical literacy skills compared to those in their age group. Volunteers are expected to donate an average of six to 15 hours each week during the school year. www.aarp.org
American Red Cross relies heavily on help from volunteers. These volunteers do roughly 90% of the organization’s humanitarian work. Some of the roles filled by Red Cross volunteers include assistance with first aid, disaster education, disaster services, administrative support, babysitting instruction, and help with fundraising and marketing. www.redcross.org
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America gives volunteers an opportunity to mentor youth who need an adult role model. There are several programs to choose from. Volunteers have a choice of working with community-based programs, children of military families, school-based programs, and children with incarcerated parents. www.bbbs.org
For One Child – Twice as Nice Thrift Shop Racquel Knight held the grand opening for For One Child – Twice as Nice Thrift Shop in January, 2022. Her main mission for the thrift store is to provide quality products to her customers while keeping prices affordable and raising funds to help kids in Jamaica. For One Child
JustServe is a web-based service where the volunteer needs of organizations and communities are posted and volunteers search for places to serve in the community, providing opportunities to help those in need and enhance the quality of life in the community. www.JustServe.org
RSVP of the Pioneer Valley is the easy and effective way to give back to your community. Whatever your background, skills, and interests, RSVP will match you with a rewarding volunteer opportunity. RSVP serves people 55+ living in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties, but branches of RSVP exist all over the state, and the United States. https://www.communityaction.us/program/rsvp/
Sixty and Me is a community of over 500,000 women over 60 founded by Margaret Manning. Their editorial team publishes articles on lifestyle topics including volunteering, fashion, dating, retirement, and money. https://sixtyandme.com/senior-volunteering/
Volunteer Match is an U.S.-based nonprofit organization and ranked as the #1 volunteer-engagement network in the US. Their mission is to strengthen communities by making it easier for good people and good causes to connect. www.volunteermatch.org/
PAID INTERNSHIPS
Empower Success Corps (ESC) is a nonprofit organization which seeks seasoned professionals for high-impact, skills-based volunteer opportunities. If you would like to use your hard-earned business or nonprofit leadership skills to give back in a meaningful way to the community you care about, become a part of a network of more than 175 ESC Fellows. ESC matches nonprofits with high-caliber, volunteer consultants who help organizations operate more effectively to better meet the needs of their communities. ESC Fellowships are time-limited assignments, usually full-time for six months or part-time for a year. ESC fellows receive a stipend paid for by the nonprofit or funded by a sponsor. www.empowersuccesscorps.org/
reacHIRE partners with both small and large companies [eg., Amazon, Ipsen] to create 6-month paid Returnship programs designed for professionals returning to the workforce after a 2+ year career break. It is a cohort-based model that allows individuals to re-enter the workforce in a supported way with a group of fellow returning professionals. reacHIRE provides an intensive onboarding specially designed to build the skills needed to successfully re-enter the workforce. This proven approach fosters camaraderie among colleagues, builds confidence and upgrades technology and professional skills that will be invaluable throughout this next phase of their career. Addie Swartz, the founder of reacHIRE believes that ”a career break shouldn’t be a career breaker.”™ www.reachire.com
ReServe® is a national nonprofit that leverages talent, experience and commitment of retired professionals 50+ (“ReServists”) to strengthen their communities by matching their skills and passion with part-time service work in nonprofits and public institutions. ReServists are not volunteers. These dedicated and skilled professionals work for a modest hourly stipend, and the satisfaction of giving back to a worthy cause. Partners are nonprofit and government agencies who strive to make a positive impact in areas of health care, education, environment, workforce, poverty, arts & culture, at-risk youth and many other causes. www.reserveinc.org
Well Being
Prescription Advantage Program: Each year thousands of Medicare beneficiaries reach that gap in their Medicare prescription drug plan that is often referred to as the “donut hole”. If you reach that gap, you will see your prescription drug costs increase dramatically! Don’t let this happen to you. Prescription Advantage can help. Prescription Advantage is a Massachusetts state-sponsored program that supplements your Medicare drug plan to fill that gap.
Call Prescription Advantage today to learn more.
1-800-243-4636
Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
www.prescriptionadvantagema.org
StorageUnits.com: Our dedication to creating an all-encompassing guide led us to not only conduct thorough research but also collaborate with moving companies nationwide that specialize in assisting seniors. This effort has enabled us to address the diverse storage and moving challenges faced by aging adults. Our guide offers a curated list of moving companies that specialize in assisting seniors, as well as an extensive compilation of moving resources by state. This ensures seniors receive comprehensive support as they navigate through the significant transitions in their lives. Moving Companies and Resources for Seniors Guide
Testing.com: We are a global scientific and medical professional organization dedicated to better health through laboratory medicine. We work with our Medical Review Board, consisting of authorities in their medical and scientific field, to review cutting-edge medical research and developments. We provide people with trusted and reliable information to help them make informed health decisions. Our collection of approachable and actionable guides sheds light on important questions and helps individuals make informed health decisions. To learn about lab tests: https://www.testing.com/ For those assisting the elderly, please check out “Tips to Help the Elderly through Their Medical Tests”: https://www.testing.com/articles/laboratory-testing-tips-elderly/
What’sNext: What’sNext believe it’s possible for people to find and create a career path that is financially, emotionally, and even spiritually rewarding. Their mission is to re-invent the way people choose and find work by giving them the tools they need to create a rewarding, future-proof, and satisfying career path. The site provides online assessment tools, calculators, career guides, books, lots of articles filled with expert content, and career coaches – all available to help you figure out how to create the life you want. www.whatsnext.com
Workforce50: For the 50+ workforce, Workforce50.com has jobs and information to help navigate your job search or a search for a new direction. It provides content, job search functions, and a list of favorite age-friendly employers by industry. It also gives you the ability to sign up for job alerts. Not quite sure what’s next? Experts cover topics from finding your life’s purpose, to raising grandchildren, avoiding mistakes on LinkedIn or strategic résumé writing for a less than perfect work history. www.workforce50.com
Zety: Since 2016, Zety has helped millions of job seekers worldwide find employment. With a rapidly growing community of more than 40 million readers a year, Zety is one of the world’s fastest growing career advice website. From resume and interview advice to networking, our guides have been recognized by over 200 universities and organizations worldwide. They help job seekers write resumes and cover letters, and improve their chances of landing a job. Zety is powered by a team of 10 career experts featured in Forbes, Financial Times, CareerBuilder, and Glassdoor. https://zety.com/