The “baby boomer” generation, born in the 1940s and 1950s, is reaching retirement age at an astonishing pace, opening up job opportunities for those looking to advance in their current career path or take on a brand new job.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the en-masse retirement of baby boomers in coming years may leave healthcare, technology, and other industries struggling to fill positions with qualified employees. According to a Northwestern University study, the retirement of the baby boomer generation might result in as many as 14.6 million open positions by 2018 – but only about 9.6 million workers are expected to be available to fill them.
Younger professionals can take advantage of this historical opportunity to advance in their chosen careers. By honing your skills and positioning yourself to take on new responsibilities and roles, you improve your chance of stepping into the shoes of a retiring employee as you pursue your own career goals.
Taking Advantage of the Baby Boomer Retirement: Three Steps
How can you make the retirement of the baby boomer generation work for you? Consider the following tips:
- Learn from your elders. Take every chance you can to learn from more experienced individuals in your field, especially those who are likely to retire soon. Their insight can be invaluable in your career, and the relationships you build with them may help you step into their shoes – or the shoes of another retiring worker in a similar position.
- Expand your knowledge. Pursue career knowledge and further education diligently; take classes, read trade publications, and learn from colleagues. Strive to understand not only where your field of choice is, but also where it’s heading in the future.
- Nurture your professional relationships. No job opens up in a void – someone always knows when a worker is planning to retire and what positions may be available when retirement dates roll around. Becoming an active member of local and professional organizations is a great way to build the relationships you’ll need to stay informed about job opportunities.
At Marquee Staffing, our experienced recruiters can help you make the most of emerging career opportunities. Contact us today to learn more.