AARP

Family caregiving is a major economic force. AARP research found that 59 million family caregivers provided 49.5 billion hours of care for adults in 2024, work valued at $1.01 trillion. That total exceeded all federal, state and local Medicaid spending in 2024, underscoring the scale of caregiving’s impact on families, communities and the broader economy. Family caregiving will grow as America ages. Policymakers, employers and health systems must recognize this essential work and commit to supporting caregivers.

If your résumé isn’t getting much attention, know that it’s not just you. Research from iHire found that 59% of workers say their biggest job search challenge is applying and never hearing back. One of the best ways to boost your chances is to reach out to your network. In fact, 71% of employers say they hire through employee referrals. But there’s another layer to consider. Outdated resumes and LinkedIn profiles can unintentionally signal age bias or tech barriers, even when your skills are exactly what employers need. Break through both by modernizing your materials. A clean, easy-to-scan résumé can better reflect your skills, while older formatting or dated details may work against you. Focus on relevant experience, highlight current technology-based skills, and follow up with your contacts thoughtfully. Small updates across your résumé and your online presence can make a significant difference in helping employers see what you can bring to the role.

Increasingly, AI is showing up in professionals’ everyday work in practical ways. AARP research found that professionals most commonly use AI to research and find information (93%), support data analysis and decision-making (90%), write or edit content (87%), and automate repetitive tasks (86%). It’s also being used for brainstorming and meeting summaries. Taken together, these use cases show that AI is often being used to support productivity and decision-making in day-to-day work. In many workplaces, it’s helping people work more efficiently, not replacing workers outright. Does this align with what you’re seeing in your industry? Let us know.

After more than 30 years working for Estée Lauder and other beauty brands, Liz Martin noticed something missing: products rarely addressed women over 50. Drawing on her industry experience, she saw an opportunity to create something that better reflected the needs of women like herself. At 58, Liz launched MYNE Beauty, developing products that celebrate mature skin. Building MYNE wasn’t just about formulas; it was about relationships and collaboration. Liz tapped into her long-standing professional network, connecting with chemists, suppliers and mentors she had worked with throughout her career. She credits that network, combined with her understanding of what women really want, for helping turn an idea into a brand. Along the way, she found that experience and empathy are just as essential as technical knowledge when creating something meaningful. Liz’s journey shows how experience and strong connections can fuel meaningful work later in life. Learn more at the link in the comments.

What’s on your online accounts matters just as much as what’s on your résumé. Career expert Carly Roszkowski shares tips for experienced workers to stand out online and make a strong first impression. #buildbrand #selfbrand #onlinepresence #jobtips #jobboost #aarp

A skills-based résumé, or functional résumé, highlights your skills and accomplishments rather than just listing job titles and dates. Choose this option if you’re changing careers, have employment gaps or want to emphasize transferable skills from one role to another. How to organize it: -Start by identifying your main skill areas, including skills you’ve built through volunteering, hobbies or caregiving. -Select the skill areas that best match each job and lead with the most relevant ones. -Under each skill area, add specific accomplishments that show results. -Make transferable skills clear, especially if you’re moving into a new field. -End with a brief work history that includes employer, role and dates. With a functional résumé, you can quickly show employers the value you bring.

AI is already playing a major role in today’s hiring process. Our latest research found that 73% of companies surveyed report using AI in recruiting and talent management processes, including screening, scheduling, and interviewing. Further, even more employers (88%) say their organizations are using AI in some form, with another 10% reporting they plan to begin using AI. Understanding how these tools show up in the job search can help you feel better equipped and more confident as you navigate your career. A few practical tips: -Make your resume clear and searchable by using standard formatting and relevant keywords from the job description. -Be specific about your skills and experience and prepare for AI‑assisted interviews with concise responses and a distraction‑free setup. -Use AI as a tool for yourself: refine your resume or practice interview questions, while keeping your voice and experience front and center.

AI can be a useful tool for everyday work. Whether you are new to AI chat agents or experienced, start with a simple prompt. Continue to refine and work through iterations until the output reflects your own voice and accomplishes your goal. When engaging AI, you might use prompts like these: -“Help me write a strong bullet point for my résumé that highlights my leadership skills.” -“Create a compelling skills summary for my résumé based on my background and target role.” -“Generate achievement-focused bullet points that emphasize results and impact.” -“Rewrite this job description into a stronger résumé bullet point.” -“Help me translate my experience into language that fits a new role or industry.” The goal is not to hand over the work to AI. It’s to help make getting started feel easier and less intimidating. How are you currently using AI in your day-to-day work? Let us know in the comments.