AARP is co-hosting the “Helping Experience Work @ 50+” Career Fair in Tacoma on May 18, as the Association steps up its drive to assist older workers suffering during this time of high unemployment. Hundreds of job seekers are expected to attend the free event, focused on providing older workers with the skills, resources and tips needed for a more successful job hunt. The event is one of 48 fairs that AARP is holding around the country this year, and comes on the heels of a new report from the U.S Dept. of Labor showing a sharp rise in the duration of unemployment for older workers. According to the Bureau, nearly 2.1 million people aged 55 and over were unemployed in April 2010, 52,000 more than in March. This brought the unemployment rate for the age group up to 7 percent from 6.9 percent the month before. The report also revealed that older job seekers tend to be out of work longer than their younger counterparts. The duration of unemployment for older jobseekers rose from 38.4 weeks in March to 42.9 weeks in April. While unemployed persons younger than 55 were out of work for 34.7 weeks on average in April, up by 3.6 weeks from March.

The event will include workshops on “Promoting Yourself at 50+,” career counseling, resume writing, interview skills, help setting up email addresses and web job searches, as well as interaction with at least a dozen local and national businesses offering employment opportunities. The fair will be held Tues., May 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, 1500 Broadway, in downtown Tacoma.