AARP Hosts Career Fair in Chicago

Free Event Includes Workshops, Career Counseling, Resume Review and Job Search Strategies

CHICAGO, June 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an effort to step up its drive to assist older workers struggling during this time of high unemployment around the country, AARP sponsored a major career fair in Chicago in partnership with The Employment Guide, a leading national marketing services company that sponsors job fairs nationwide.  This year, AARP is sponsoring 48 career fairs in 19 states which have unemployment rates of 10 percent or more for older workers.

The "Helping Experience Work@50+" career fair was free and open to all ages.  The event offered workshops on promoting yourself at 50+, emphasizing tips and techniques for success in a competitive job market.  Career counseling was also available to assist job seekers with resume reviews, skills assessment, and general job search strategies.  Over 20 employers with job openings were on site at the event.  AARP also sponsored a booth at the event, promoting free online resources that provide important tips and tools to help older workers succeed in their job search.

"AARP recognizes that millions of older Americans are trying to stay employed or get back on the workforce," said AARP Senior State Director, Bob Gallo. "Older workers continue to face difficult challenges in today's economic downturn, especially in an area like Chicago, where unemployment is over 10%.  AARP is sponsoring career fairs, as well as creating resources and other offerings to assist older workers who need jobs for their health and financial security," Gallo added.

The AARP Public Policy Institute recently reported that although the employment situation for older workers appeared somewhat brighter in March 2010 than it had in February, the average duration of unemployment for older jobseekers was nearly 3 weeks longer in March than in February – 38.4 weeks compared to 35.6 weeks.  Half of these older job seekers had been out of work for six months or more, more than double the 23 percent at the start of the recession in December 2007.

AARP maintains a variety of programs to help workers 50+.  In addition to career fairs, AARP conducts web-based seminars for job seekers; sponsors the National Employer Team, which connects job seekers with employers; honors Best Employers for Workers Over 50; and, offers online job counseling.  In addition, the AARP Foundation provides a variety of direct services to help mature workers at or below the median income through its WorkSearch website.  For more information on the programs mentioned above, please visit www.aarp.org/realrelief.

SOURCE AARP Illinois