AARP Hearing Center
Looking for a job is rarely easy. Trying to find one in the middle of a global pandemic with high unemployment might seem impossible.
One option that can help job seekers connect with employers conveniently is a virtual job fair. These events — which can be found by searching online job boards, LinkedIn or the websites of large employers, for example — give you the opportunity to meet with recruiters over the internet and participate in webinars that help you learn about how to build skills that can help you land a job.
At 1 p.m. ET on Thursday, Sept. 30, AARP will host an online career expo, "Staying Competitive and Relevant for What’s Next." With such widespread job losses over the past 18 months, many older adults are desperately seeking employment. According to the Pew Research Center, roughly half of those who lost jobs during the pandemic were still unemployed by mid-August 2020. The survey found that 41 percent of adults age 50 and older say that either they or someone in their household had lost a job due to the pandemic.
The massive job losses, a widespread shift to working from home and the risks essential workers have to navigate mean that people looking for jobs will have to learn some new techniques. AARP’s expo is one way workers can get up to speed.
"We’re back for another great expo featuring mini-webinars on a range of topics from finding government jobs to best work-from-home tips. Hear from Indeed about which jobs are in demand, and from Daymond John about building success through networking,” says Heather Tinsley-Fix, AARP senior advisor for financial resilience. “There also will be tons of content to help you stay competitive in the job market as well as opportunities to connect to fellow job seekers and share tips and strategies via our chats. And don’t forget to check out our hiring employers. These companies are hiring now and want to hear from you."
There will be many employers participating in AARP's expo, including FEMA, Humana, and Bed Bath & Beyond. The event is free and can be accessed by phone, tablet or computer.
