Home » News & Events » Aging Well: Spotlight on 50+ Employment Expos
More than 400 people attended JCA’s Montgomery County Virtual 50+ Employment Expo on September 16. These job hunters heard from 11 employers who told them about job openings at their organizations and provided tips on how to stand out in the often frustrating and sometimes challenging process of searching for a job after 50.
As one participant said, “I found this event to be incredibly welcoming and informative. It was better than any career expo I’ve attended before: well-organized, engaging, and full of valuable resources. I appreciate the effort that went into making it such a positive experience for jobseekers like myself.”
Another participant commented, “JCA, I’ve done career fairs for high school students when I was employed, and this one was beyond fantastic. Exceeded expectations and very appreciative. Wonderfully organized!” She also wrote, “I forgot this expo was for 50+ year olds. Thanks for making us feel so valued!”
JCA will hold five more Montgomery County expos and three Northern Virginia ones between now and June 2026. Participants can register to attend any or all of the expos. Because the participating employers and opportunities are always changing, JCA’s 50+ employment program team recommends that a jobseeker participate throughout their search.
With the layoffs at federal government agencies and federal government contractors, and the ripple effects of these layoffs on other businesses in the DC-metro region, now is a tough time to get hired. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national unemployment rate in August was 4.3%. In Maryland, the July unemployment rate rose to 3.4%. Virginia’s unemployment rate was 3.6%.
Still, there are jobs out there, and more importantly, there are jobs for older adults.
The expo helps older adults succeed at making career transitions, finding new employment, and re-entering the job market by giving them opportunities to network with area employers, learn about educational and training opportunities, and learn job search techniques. The expo sets aside plenty of time to answer participants’ questions. Participants can immediately share their thoughts and questions in the Zoom platform’s chat feature. They receive answers quickly.
JCA CEO Shane Rock welcomed everyone to the expo and briefly talked about all the services JCA offers. Participants then watched a video presentation from Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. He peppered his remarks with examples of the services the county provides for older residents. Next on the agenda was a briefing from a staff member of JCA’s State Health Insurance Assistant Program, who reminded participants that it’s almost time for Medicare open enrollment.
Jodie Rasch, director of JCA’s Career Gateway and CareerTech programs and the employment expos, spent a few minutes letting everyone know about Career Gateway, a five-day job search training program that includes training on a variety of topics—from resume writing to building a compelling LinkedIn profile— and provides mentors for jobseekers.
The expo’s theme is Retool, Recharge, Reinvent, and that was clearly the goal. Speakers reinforced that although it’s a tight job market right now, there are positions out there that need filling. The 11 participating employers shared a wide range of job openings with participants, from home health care and office jobs to entry, mid-level, and senior executive positions in a wide range of fields, including human resources, information technology, social work, accounting, and the nonprofit sector. You can learn more about the participating employers on the Virtual50+Employment Expos website.
This expo featured two main workshop speakers – one from Montgomery County’s Office of Human Resources and the other from WorkSource Montgomery.
Amina Getaneh, a human resource specialist for Montgomery County, went step by step through the county’s employment website, explaining how to search for jobs and use filters to smooth the search process.
According to Getaneh, the county uses AI to screen applications, making sure the applicant meets the necessary qualifications. She suggested jobseekers create multiple versions of their resumes so that each one they submit closely fits the job for which they are applying. She also told participants “to elaborate as much as you can” when you have skills the company wants. Do not use acronyms and be clear and concise in all your forms and documents. “Speak to the job you are applying for,” she advised.
Jan Abraham, business service consultant with WorkSource Montgomery, reassured participants. “It’s tough out there, and I get it. It’s not you.”
As the expo came to a close, the Zoom chat was filled with compliments from participants. One person wrote, “This was my first but not my last. Thanks for sponsoring these!”
