Career development sites are already reflecting this trend: Nielson Wire reports visits to career development websites grew 20 percent this year overall (not surprising, given the economy), rising by 41.4 million visitors in January 2008 to just under 50 million in January this year. There was a significant surge in visitors 65 and older, increasing 41 percent.

Clearly, older baby boomers want, or need, to work longer than traditional retirement age. The lesson? Be wise and continually improve your skills — including business writing skills.

One area where older workers sometimes lag behind younger workers is in experience with communication technologies. Comfortably navigating social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn is a necessary skill.

So, if you are not yet using any social networks, it’s wise for career growth to at least familiarize yourself with them, to keep your communication skills current. Here are links to help you get started on the most valuable networks for business professionals:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Facebook: Within an Organization and Your Own Business

A word of caution though, in case you don’t already know it: anything you post in social networks echoes long and far. Boomers have the great Darwinian advantage of well-honed career skills, so are unlikely to make the gaffes younger workers sometimes make … but be careful.

Another lesson, about such gaffes: a would-be Cisco employee likely lost a job offer, after posting this comment on Twitter: “Cisco just offered me a job! Now I have to weigh the utility of a fatty paycheck against the daily commute to San Jose and hating the work.”

Add communication technology skills to your already extensive experience and skills, sidestep pitfalls, and you will more likely find meaningful work and thrive in your career choice. If work is not in your plan, at least you’ll stay better connected with family and friends.

Cheers to a long and prosperous career!

Mary Cullen is based in Princeton, NJ.
Her Web site is http://www.instructionalsolutions.com/
Her blog site is http://blog.instructionalsolutions.com/