This was a place they knew they were welcome.
“Sometimes you go out and apply for positions, and there’s not supposed to be age discrimination, but you kind of get the feeling that they are looking for younger workers,” said Annette Rounbehler, 54, of Aurora.
Rounbehler, who is trying to re-enter the work force after four years, was one of 450 unemployed people over the age of 50 who attended Thursday the Older Worker Job Fair in Kane County, held at the Illinois Math and Science Academy in Aurora.
Forty businesses, primarily from Aurora, staffed booths at this first-time fair. They represented personnel services companies, manufacturers, transportation firms, medical and financial institutions, a college, grocery, real-estate firm and casino. Workshops also were held on resume-writing, interviewing and other job-hunting skills.
“This is very good because they are taking the time, ” said 64-year-old Don Pocci of Glen Ellyn, who decided recently to end his early retirement and find a job. “Most places give you a little lunch table to fill out the application, and that’s the end of it. You never hear from them again. But here you can really put your best foot forward.”
A committee of 12 representatives from area businesses and social service groups coordinated the fair. Kathy Given, a manager of a personnel services company, and Patricia Mulligan, owner of a graphic design firm and former senior services director for Aurora Township, co-chaired the committee.
“I feel very strongly about putting these people back to work,” said Given. “People don’t dry up and blow away after 50.
“Many have been displaced through reorganization or cutbacks and are extremely talented, devoted, ambitious, energetic and loyal and make wonderful workers,” she said. “They have the skills already, they have the work ethic, they’re dependable and qualified.”
But many at the fair said they’re a little daunted by the prospect of seeking employment.
“It’s very intimidating,” said Connie Stamm, 52, of Aurora about having to find a job and learn about resumes and job interviews after the business she and her husband owned closed after 26 years.
“We believe older workers are more dependable and have a strong work ethic, and they have life experience to draw from,” said Sue Knoczyk, community liaison for Access Home Health Care, a division of Copley Memorial Hospital in Aurora.