Can't find a job? These tips may help

Older workers who lost their jobs during the Great Recession have found the search for a new job mostly frustrating and often futile. But even those successful in their search are realizing a new job doesn't mean the good old days are back.

"They'd been in the same place for 20 or 30 years, and they're looking for that job with the high salary, corner office, everything status quo," says Michael Coritsidis, a career coach who works with older job seekers. "They're not going to get that."

A new report from the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University found that half the people who lost their jobs since the recession began in December 2007 took a pay cut when they found a new job.

Still, having a job is better than being unemployed. The study found that some job hunters were successful by applying for work in new fields. But this takes an understanding of how your abilities will fit with new employers in a new field. "They have to re-evaluate their skills and their qualifications and see where they can transfer them," Coritsidis says.

Consider applying at not-for-profit companies, Coritsidis says. Many are hiring, and they embrace skilled workers from an array of sectors. Coritsidis says to check out idealist.org and social service.com to see if they have job openings that fit your skills. Coritsidis also says take a part-time job if that's all you're offered. "That's how you know who the HR people are, who the hiring people are, who the president is," he says. In fact, the Rutgers study found that 25 percent who initially took a part-time job were ultimately hired by the company full-time.

Molloy College in Rockville Centre is offering several employment seminars presented by Coritsidis. The first, an overview of Coritsidis' "7 Steps to Employment Success" program, is free. It runs Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Coritsidis is also teaching a night course as part of Molloy's continuing education curriculum. Tuition for the five-class course is $175. Classes begin Feb. 8.

For more information or to register, click here to go to students.molloy.edu/ce/career/ or call 516-678-5000, ext. 6206.