to reorganize their lives around the latest communication and networking technologies. But they should try them and be able to talk about them, so they aren't caught unprepared the next time a 40-year-old hiring manager asks, "Are you on Twitter?" Older job-seekers, in particular, must invest time to address this challenge directly, if they hope to stay competitive.

5. Do the Math - Then Manage Your Ambivalence - It may be late for older Baby Boomers to start planning their retirement finances, but they should recognize the conflicting pressures they may have about work and retirement. Despite financial need, a significant segment of those interviewed were ambivalent about staying in the labor force. Job counselors shared stories of program participants consistently sabotaging themselves in job interviews because they were torn about success in their search. Older job-seekers should be clear about their actual financial needs, especially for consistent and stable sources of retirement income, as they struggle with making a decision about finding work.

"Older job-seekers who don't recognize that they're viewed differently in the job market are in for a rude awakening," said Dr. David DeLong, author of the study. "Lots of aging Boomers will need late-career employment in the years ahead and this study shows what they have to do to make themselves relevant and successful in the changing employment market." •

The MetLife Mature Market Institute®
Established in 1997, the Mature Market Institute (MMI) is MetLife's research organization and a recognized thought leader on the multi-dimensional and multi-generational issues of aging and longevity. MMI's groundbreaking research, gerontology expertise, national partnerships, and educational materials work to expand the knowledge and choices for those in, approaching, or caring for those in the mature market.

For more information about the MetLife Mature Market Institute, please visit: www.maturemarketinstitute.com.