Is anyone else over 55 job hunting ?

exil

I have to point out that ageism works both ways and the unemployment amongst youngsters with no previous job experience is also extremely high - and none of them have a pension to fall back on like some of us (though I recognise, not all) in our 50s. I certainly don't envy the young.

sagalout1954

............and with retirement ages getting higher and higher, the problem is only going to get worse. If people are able to hang on to their jobs for longer, where are the vacancies for those seeking employment going to come from.

merl1955

I agree with everything everyone has written, and I think it is going to get worse as people have to work longer.
I am 57yr old male and no prospect of work, I only want to work about 20 hrs a week and would be very happy to do any kind of work. I applied to the local hospital for a cleaning job there were 20 jobs ranging from 8 hrs to 20hrs a week. There were over 200 people at the open day.
I realise that the under 16 hrs will be attractive to the people on benefits but doesn't a good work record count for anything?
I am happy to do anything and the skills I gained from my role of 32 years could like the rest of you can be adapted to other roles but trying to word on application forms is hard and how you are now happy to take a less taxing role gets the reply "to qualified" "will get bored" "won't stay" etc.,
The idea that all supermarkets and DIY will take oldies isn't quite true, it's funny how youngsters can get Saturday jobs but us oldies can't.
I have deliberately downsized my choice of jobs for two reasons, one I don't want to be continually stressed at work: two I want to enjoy my new role and give something back.
Looks like I will have to put weight on for xmas next year and become a santa claus as I think it is the only positive age job available.

Greenqueen_2

Or how about School crossing patrol-with a lollypop stick. Most councils were really struggling to fill these vacancies (at least before the recession kicked in). It only pays about £60 per week/£3000 per year but if you have a pension already it can supplement.

usignuolo

I am a member of a charity which is always looking for volunteers to carry out various aspects of work for us. We do not pay a wage but we do cover all expenses, so that would be one way of carrying on being active while looking around and it would look good on your CV. Try looking up some of the local volunteering opportunities for one you fancy which covers expenses. Carers for older people are always in demand as well, if you have that sort of personality. That pays a basic wage and you might also be able to get a private placement part time with an older educated person who needs some companionship. Magazines like The Lady and some agencies have this sort of vacancy.

downshifter

Thanks to everyone who has been interested and taken the trouble to reply to this, I'm really grateful. As a follow up I decided to look at organisations that work with older people as I thought they might be more up for employing people with experience. I did get an interview for a job I thought I could offer much to but wasn't successful. I knew at the interview I hadn't got it as I really messed up a crucial question, but at least it was an interview! I then decided to chase up an application I made a while ago but never heard back, which I know is normal but I decided I had nothing to lose! It turned out my application never arrived so I was able to email it to them, luckily a couple of days before the interviews, was selected for interview and later that day got the Yes phone call. Only a few hours a month but every little bit counts, and importantly it was something that required experience I had built up over the years in various fields, not just a generalist admin job or similar. It also involves working for the community which is really important to me. I was then chatting to a friend about this and thought nothing of it, when I received a call from someone who had been told about me and were looking for a few hours help in their business and was I interested enough to send my CV. Obviously didn't need asking twice, so emailed it over immediately. My experience included aspects they were looking for so I went for an interview and was offered 10 hours a week with them, a really interesting job connected with their website and managing their emails and lots of other bits if I want them. But what they were interested in as much as the skills was the right 'fit' of person for their company which is quite an informal but highly successful organisation, where 'people skills' are paramount.

So I have calculated that I will earn around £900 a month, from all four jobs (includes a small pension I took out early) - £400 of which will go on rent, so riches beyond compare to me! Obviously if I have a rent increase - likely this year - then I won't have as much left, but at least I'll be able to afford it now. And when I get my pension at around 63 I think it is, I'll be stonking rich!!! I also have 2 voluntary jobs so I can see my main problem is remembering what I'm doing each day, I wonder how often I'll turn up at the wrong place!! Luckily one of the paid jobs and one of the vol jobs is working from home. And I'll still have plenty of grandchildren/ aged parent time in between.

I can't believe how well this has worked out for me, after so much early despondency, although as an eternal optimist I always had the feeling that something would turn up. I hope everyone else in the same boat experiences the same. Thanks again for the encouragement and ideas and sorry this is so long!

DS

lilac_lady

I'm so glad that you've got these jobs and can look forward to a happy retirement.

downshifter

Thank you, I hadn't thought about retirement, it's not going to happen as I won't ever be able to afford to never work. It's an artificial construct anyway. I deliberately looked for the kind of jobs that don't expect you to leave when you're 65 - I used to work in the civil service and most people over 50 were working for the great god 'Retirement' and hanging onto jobs they no longer were bothered in contributing to or were particularly interested in just because they would lose some of their pensions if they left early. Awful! Life's too short.

jangor_2

I am delighted to hear you have managed to find employment, long may it continue, and fully understand your comments about not being able to retire due to financial reasons. I am in my 60's and still employed full time but I am absolutely terrified that in the not too distant future I will lose my job, not related to my age but due to the fact that my employers are all of retirement age and are able to look forward to a financially secure retirement, unlike me unfortunately. I suspect I will really struggle to find employment but will certainly explore every avenue.

Prudent

This has been a very interesting and though provoking thread. I am in my early/mid forties and am trying to commit as much as reasonable possible to a pension as I am so aware that some people in their 50s & 60s really struggle. Thank you to everyone who has contributed.
Downshifter - well done on the job front.