I posted a few weeks back about my father's predicament at work and unfortunately he has been dismissed without notice. In summary, he posted something ill-advised on Facebook (not vulgar or aggressive) that was critical of his employer and he has been dismissed for gross misconduct. It was a very foolish mistake, and he accepts what he did wasn't particularly wise - especially as they are in the process of looking for voluntary redundancies - but what's done is done.

He has worked for the company (an airline) in various front-line ground-staff roles for the last 20 years. Before that, he was a sales manager after a short spell in the army after he left school. He turns 60 next week, and has been out of the job-hunting game for a long while.

He wasn't on a dazzling salary, but it was good compared to new starters, and given that he lives 30 miles away from the airport, there's an argument to say he should look for something closer to home, but aviation is what he loves.

Obviously, the news has been devastating to the family, but my advice is to consider it done (there is an appeal on-going, but I imagine the chances of success are less than zero). What I am not sure of is how he best goes about finding another job at his age, with no obvious transferrable skills? The most tragic thing of all is he's a very intelligent man who is extremely capable and highly IT Literate (ashamed to say, more so than me, and I work in IT!) and a "young" 60, but his CV is going to suggest otherwise. Has anyone been in a similar situation? Has anyone found a job in a very different industry at a similar time of life?

I am assuming that he will have to explain the circumstances surrounding why he left his last job, so I've advised him to prepare an answer should this come up in an interview. My understanding is that he's not compelled to volunteer the information, but if he's directly asked why did you leave your last job or questions around previous dismissals appear on an application form, then he's obligated to be open and honest.

I am also assuming his CV should make only very brief reference to jobs twenty years ago, and focus on his roles with his most recent employer. I have most recently worked as a contractor, and did wonder if he could get a job quickly to tide him over as low level contractor e.g.: Data Entry?

Any advice/ideas are much appreciated. TIA.