Illustration by Ingo Fast

Methodology for Selecting the Best Employers November & December 2004

6 Tricky Interview Questions for Older Workers

Older Americans Going Back to Work on Their Own Terms (November-December 2004)

Find the Fastest-Growing Jobs in Your State (AARP.org)

AARP.org's Careers Channel (AARP.org)

Back to AARP's Best Employers For Workers Over 50

Any nongovernmental employer with at least 50 U.S.-based employees was eligible to apply.*

In order to be considered, all interested employers were required to complete an application covering seven key categories: recruiting practices, workplace culture, continued opportunities, employee benefits, retiree benefits, organization statistics, and final comments. A total of 78 employers submitted applications. After an initial screening by an independent survey firm, eXpert Survey Systems, Inc., and by AARP staff, employers with low screening scores were eliminated. The remaining employers' applications were reviewed by an independent panel of judges composed of nationally recognized experts on aging workforce and employment issues. Each employer was then ranked by its total score, which was the sum of its screening score and the score received from the judges. Last, in order to ensure that employers recognized by AARP have policies and practices that were consistent with key public-policy issues important to AARP and its membership, key AARP representatives reviewed the finalists.

*Although government employers were not eligible to apply for the 2004 program, they will be eligible for the 2005 program.