Middle-Aged Job Seekers Start Over

Leslie Strauss has been looking for a job since February.  She was a teacher who recently became the victim of budget cuts. Like hundreds of others across the area – she is looking for an edge on how to compete in a cutthroat job market. 

"It's not fun. I have a kid in college," Strauss said. "It puts a huge pressure on everyone in the family, and it's very hard not to take it personally."

Strauss joined about 60 others looking to turn their luck around at a career fair at the Skokie Public Library on Aug. 5. She is just one of many middle-aged men and women who are forced to start over. 

The event was organized by the North Suburban Business Development Association, a 501C3 that is an offshoot of the Skokie Chamber of Commerce. 

"If you watch the people walk into the room, you can see it on their face," said Catherine Johns of the Chicago Hypnosis Center, an organization that helps people quit smoking or lose weight through such technics as hypnosis. "They're discouraged, they're sad, they've given up."

Johns was one of five speakers who offered free advice to attendees on how to improve their job searches, resumes and interviewing skills.  She said there was more to the process than a person just selling her skill set.

"Sometimes it's about how you present yourself," she said. "You need confidence and some older people need to relearn that."

The career fair was held in conjunction with the Skokie Chamber of Commerce, Oakton Community College, Jewish Vocational Services and State Representative Lou Lang. 

Michael Buhmann, a reference librarian, has helped with a number of job fairs for the library.  He said these events seem to cater to a particular crowd.

"In Skokie, we have a lot of older workers who have lost their jobs and a lot of immigrants," Buhmann said. "It's been challenging."

After a 90-minute presentation participants were able to network with organizations and one another. Many came armed with their resumes ready for critiquing. Some were even able to practice what they learned in mock interviews.

Strauss reiterates it's not easy, but these types of events are important for people to get back on their feet.

"I think what happens with these things, it's designed to make you feel less alone," Strauss said. "And it teaches you that there's something I can do different today than I did yesterday." 

For more information on career fairs and other events held at the Skokie Public Library visit its website.