WELLESLEY, Massachusetts
United States
Rutgers College
University of Pittsburgh
U.S. Army - Field Artillery
Johnson & Johnson
Sears, Roebuck and Co.
L.L. Bean
Digital Equipment
New England Life
Wm. M. Mercer Consulting
Coopers & Lybrand Consulting
RetirementJobs.com
Wilkes Barre, PA
Plainfield, NJ
Oak Park, IL
Brunswick, ME
Bedford, NH
Boston, MA
Wellesley, MA
"Well, I guess every form of refuge has its price". (The Eagles - "Lyin' Eyes" 1975)
Working at 50+Working at 50+
At age 61, and after a lifetime of work in Human Resources management and consulting, I finally have the best job of my life.
I’m the Director of Research and “Chief Career Counselor” for the leading online career service for people age 50+ - RetirementJobs.com.
I had 16 different jobs: paperboy, soda “jerk”, mailman, auto mechanic, landscaper, house painter, production line worker, computer operator, college instructor, plant supervisor, truck driver, soldier, warehousing manager, retail store clerk, customer service manager and accountant -- all before I turned 25! None of these prepared me for a career in Human Resources. But they did give me a clear view of what working for a living entailed and the variety of jobs was ideal preparation for what I do today.
I help age 50+ people determine how they can make a living or supplement their retirement income.
Do you remember the “good-old-days” when you worked for an employer for a lifetime and retired with a gold watch, pension check and health care costs weren’t the biggest issue on your mind? Within 10 years, this type of retirement will likely be forgotten. We’re healthier, living longer and caught up in high tech, exciting times. Studies indicate that more than 75% of us plan to work in some job beyond traditional retirement age. For some, we’ll work of necessity to pay bills and obtain health care coverage. Others will work because they choose to.
Regardless of the reason, the evidence is clear that continuing to work in some fashion is good for your well being – physically, emotionally and financially. Why not work at a job that is meaningful and rewarding? Exploring and securing such a job is the topic of my journal.
Are there obstacles to finding your “dream job?” Most certainly! The workplace has changed a great deal. Computer and communication technology has replaced paper, pens and stamps. Having a personal computer and cell phone are now essential. Skills, knowledge and capabilities that were unknown 20 years ago are now often considered fundamental. You must be open to continuous learning. And let’s not forget age bias. Worker surveys indicate that more than 90% of people believe that age bias is a “fact of life” and represents a major obstacle to job seekers and workers age 50+ (and even 40+ in some professions and occupations).
Still, work-- whether as a volunteer in some form of community engagement-- or for a regular paycheck, is in the future for the large majority of us. Why not be in a workplace that treats you with respect and dignity, provides competitive pay and benefits, and where the work can be meaningful, important – and even fun?
The job opportunities for older workers will blossom in coming years. We are an important segment of the workforce. We are capable, reliable, creative, diligent, productive and conscientious. This journal will be a gathering place to share ideas, resources and opportunities about working at 50+.
I hope you will join in.
- Bob
Wow, I see so much experience, knowledge and desire in this group to not only work for an income but to contribute to our nation in a positive way. What a waste of talent.
I was just thinking and let me throw this out for your thoughts. As individuals with limited resources it is difficult to do anything of true importance for ourselves other than to survive. What if some of you got together and created your own company/corporation to create a better way to contribute to our nation and at the same time earn a living wage or more by unleashing your passion to help and learn.
There are many companys (large, small and medium) as well as the U.S. federal government with opportunities for businesses to obtain work; especially with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. (Go to Recovery.gov)
The U.S. Government and many federal agencies, State Governments and City/Counties all have outsourcing opportunities. You may decide to become a subcontractor to a large contractor. So many older/experienced Americans have varied experiences in Human Resources, Collections, Construction.
I'm sure this could be done. It's just we have been looking at the problem in a negative fashion. What would happen if you used your experiences to brainstorm solutions to these problems. What if you had more information at your hands than you do now to give you the confidence to do such a thing? Would life be exciting when this is pulled off?
I imagine a corporation (doesn't truly matter where; except for highest benefits to be gained) in a state with virtual employees throughout the United States.
I'm speaking in a very general sense to obtain your thoughts. Do you beleive something like this is feasible? What are your thoughts.
Linda D
I am over 60 and was laid off two years ago, received unemployment but kept looking including today. I had been in healthcare as a Medical Assistant over 25 years. Problem is in today's requirements, I have to be certified in all the fields I never had to be before. I understand, but with all my years of experience, and as good as I am in my field, I cannot find something in my area. I love healthcare and want to continue in this field. I think I should be able to find somewhere where I can be certified in Medical Assisting and Phlebotomy without having to go to college for two or more years.
Bonnie-Florida
Hi there, I live in the High Desert. I was Laid Off 12/07 and received unemployment but also looked for work. I could only find part time work but never enough to help my husband pay our mortgage. Now unemployment has cut me off and I can not even seem to get an extension.
I have been working part time maybe 12 hours a week for Assisted Living for Developementally Disabled Adults. I love the job just that I am her Relief Staff so not enough hours to pay the bills. It has been very hard finding another part time job to fill in the hours that I'm not working.
We have already lost everything but one vehicle were paying on and our home, and having to pull from our retirement monthly to pay mortgage. My husband is only working part time but at least he is able to get over 30 hours weekly.
I too over 50 have been looking at the Computer online work at home but just can't commit to them because frightened they'll try to steal my identity etc.
Schooling away from home takes me away from what work I could get.
Are there training courses for certifications like CNA on line that you know of and very inexpensive? Do I go through one of the colleges that keep emailing and calling me or is there a program through AARP? Shold I try to see what I can find through Unemployment?
I love working with developmentally disabled adults and Seinors. I live 60 Miles
from any Employment Agency.
Prior to being laid off I was working in the Construction industry and you know what thats like now. I was an Accounts Receivable/Collection Specialist.
Thank you so much for your Time. If you can help with ideas please email me at tymeoflife@hotmail.com
D. Tymeoflife
I too am 61 and out of work. I have decided with the job market the way it is and my age if I found some type of work at home jobs I could make a living still. I had been in the accounting, clerical, data entry field all my life. Now if I could find the clients who want someone outside of the corporate world to give me the work. How do I start? Where do I go? Thanks Sandy
Aimee,
I'm sorry you've had such a difficult year. So much of what you write rings true to me and it makes me angry as well. I regret that many employers and our society in general has reduced workers to interchangeable "labor units. Financial results have become the only unit of measure for many employers -with the exception of highly compensated executives who seldom appear to suffer loss. Regrettably, we seem to have allow a new golden rule prevail - "he who has the gold, rules."
To add to your frustration, the construction industry has been at the leading edge of our economic decline and is apt to stay weak for some time.
I encourage you to look outside of your traditional work arena and consider jobs in the area of "life's other essentials" including healthcare, food production and distribution, utilities and fuel, education, government and personal care. At 60 you have many more years to work and it's important you find a "good" employer (and they do exist) and meaningful work.
Persist in your search and try to maintain a positive outlook. There are employers (look at AARP's National Employer Team firms; 50 Best Employers for Workers Age 50 ; RetirementJobs.com's Age Friendly Employers; and Fortune Magazine's 100 Best Employers) who treat employees with respect and dignity.
I recommend a book, "Over-40 Job Search Guide" by Gail Geary, Jist Works Publishing. It's about the best I've read. After a year-long job search, you may want to rethink your job search plan and approach. I also encourage you to go to RetirementJobs.com and examine the Premium Member service. Included in the modest monthly fee ($5.95) are five free online workshops about job searching and a Job Seekers Guide Book. One workshop focuses entirely on identifying and researching good employers.
Feel free to write me at "Bob@retirementjobs.com" for more ideas. Best wishes.
Bob
Good morning, Bob.
I'm 60 and will be having an interview (again) with an employment agency this morning.
First downsized exactly year ago today from a wonderful national company that decided to heed the advise of another firm to "regroup (merge) and downsize". This was where I enjoyed many years of work. I was support to the president and a construction manager; we were a real estate developer/home builder. I have had two jobs in the interim, neither have worked out. So here I am a year later and forced to find a job again! Finding an employer as good as the one I had been with is not an easy task these days. What I'm finding is that there seems to be a few too many "bad" companies seeking employees (having openings because the better employees have all left for better opportunities-leaving those of us looking with their "left-overs".) Both situations that I took were from ads in the paper. Both times my intuition said, walk away and keep looking, both times I ignored that inner-warning BECAUSE I needed the job.
I will taking ONLY temp-to-perm situations from this point forward.
I spoke to another former employee of my old "wonderful" company who advised me that the firm my old company hired to "reorganize" them has been fired, the newly installed President who took over for my president has been "laid off"; my division of 60 has been pared down to 5 individuals and they answer to a Regional Office 400 miles away.
My story isn't new but it is sad. It appears we were of the first generation of what has become a national/international war against the workforce being fought soly by warlords who are really the Shareholders and Executive Managers seeking to retain what they have by eliminating those of us who eat into their profits.
Do I sound bitter? Perhaps, but actually, I just damn mad. The horror stories I hear are many, and those many are often times worse than my situation.
I can only wonder when it will stop.
Aimee-Oregon
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