{"id":3571,"date":"2014-02-06T04:00:32","date_gmt":"2014-02-06T08:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/?p=3571"},"modified":"2014-02-04T01:35:42","modified_gmt":"2014-02-04T05:35:42","slug":"state-of-the-union-and-older-americans-kerrys-expert-advice-on-next-avenue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/?p=3571","title":{"rendered":"State of the Union and Older Americans: Kerry’s Expert Advice on Next Avenue"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"NextAvenue_logo\"<\/a>Pundits are saying President Obama\u2019s State of the Union focused on small-bore ideas. But for older Americans looking for help from Washington to find work or to save for retirement, I\u2019d say it was more like small beer.<\/p>\n

Below are the key proposals from the speech plus views about them from experts I\u2019ve consulted and me:<\/p>\n

The Long-Term Unemployed<\/strong><\/p>\n

Roughly 3.9 million Americans have been out of work for more than six months \u2014 the long-term unemployed. They make up about 38 percent of all unemployed people in the U.S. (about the same as in 2012) and half of the long-term unemployed are over 50. According to AARP, it takes unemployed people over 50 about a year to find a new job, which is almost twice as long as people under 50.<\/p>\n

(MORE<\/strong>:\u00a0Programs to Help the Long-Term Unemployed<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Obama\u2019s key proposals:<\/p>\n

He\u2019s getting CEOs at major corporations such as AT&T, Procter & Gamble and Xerox to sign a pledge saying they won\u2019t refuse to hire people just because they\u2019re unemployed.<\/strong>President Obama says the pledge would \u201cgive more unemployed workers a fair shot\u201d at a new job. That\u2019s beause some firms continue to discriminate against out-of-work job applicants. A recent Northeastern University study found that employers would rather call back applicants with no relevant experience who\u2019ve been out of work a few months than those with more relevant experience unemployed for more than six months.<\/p>\n

Firms signing the pledge will, among other things: commit to ensure that advertising doesn\u2019t discourage or discriminate against the unemployed; review screens used in hiring so they don\u2019t disadvantage individuals from being considered for jobs based solely on their unemployment status and interview qualified long-term unemployed individuals.<\/p>\n

I agree with AARP CEO A. Barry Rand who said \u201casking the business community to hire the long-term unemployed takes an important first step.\u201d (Though I\u2019d note that the word \u201csolely\u201d in the pledge is a huge loophole).<\/p>\n

(MORE<\/strong>:\u00a0A Must-See Film for Being Over 50 and Out of Work<\/a>)<\/p>\n

I\u2019m hoping that\u00a0all<\/em>\u00a0firms will follow the\u00a0new guidelines<\/a>\u00a0for HR professionals just spelled out by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the largest HR association in the world.<\/p>\n

Among them: When reviewing job applications and crafting job advertisements, focus on the knowledge, skills and abilities you seek for the position. Do\u00a0not<\/em>\u00a0assume candidates are overqualified. Recognize nontangible skills the long-term unemployed may possess, such as drive, loyalty, a desire to succeed and a sense of purpose. Ensure that qualified candidates get an opportunity to explain any gaps in employment.<\/p>\n

The administration will help community colleges partner with businesses so the schools offer classes and training programs to match skills that are needed.\u00a0<\/strong>That\u2019s a recommendation heartily endorsed by my Next Avenue colleague, Kerry Hannon (author ofGreat Jobs for Everyone 50+<\/em><\/a>). I\u2019m with her.<\/p>\n

(MORE<\/strong>:\u00a0How to Get the Long-Term Unemployed Back to Work<\/a>)<\/p>\n

He wants to extend emergency unemployment insurance benefits.\u00a0<\/strong>Congress, of course, failed to renew benefits that expired for 1.5 million jobless Americans at the end of 2013. Susan Sipprelle, writer and producer of the excellent documentary about unemployed Americans over 50,\u00a0Set For Life<\/em><\/a>, tells me she thinks extending unemployment benefits is “a fine short-run solution,” but “for the long term, we must improve education and create more jobs.”<\/p>\n

Personally, I\u2019m dubious that the legislators will reverse course in 2014.<\/p>\n

What Obama Didn\u2019t Say<\/strong><\/p>\n

Elizabeth Isele, a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of the nonprofit\u00a0Senior Entrepreneurship Works<\/a>, told me she didn\u2019t feel the president went nearly far enough to help older unemployed Americans \u2014 particularly those who want to start businesses.<\/p>\n

Among the programs and policies she wishes Obama had announced:<\/p>\n