SallyG Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 Well, here I am in sunny Florida, trying to find a job, and no prospects whatsoever! Looking for an office type job; I do bookkeeping, secretarial, etc. I have a very good resume...lots of experience, etc. It's not a question of not being qualified. I scour the newspapers, email, mail, and fax resumes, and am registered with an agency. No response! At all! I tell my husband it's harder to find a job at 52...he says that's BS! I'm not so sure. Employers seem more interested in hiring younger women than someone over 50...at least it's seeming that way to me. Everyone in the family thinks I'm being silly. Ok, so am I totally off the mark here, or do others my age have that same problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esther Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 Sally, I'm your age, but I've had the same job for over 18 years. Hubby was unemployed for about 2 years....but in his field (computer programming), they seem to take a long time between the time they do the first interview and when they make a final decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gayle Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 I don't think your age has anything to do with it. Blame it on the current economy. The country goes through this sort of thing every 4 years only this year seems worse than the last ones have been. Maybe after the election, things will improve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 Keeping fingers crossed for you sending positive thoughts your way that you find something you like real soon! Hugs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nechee Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 It is not your age. I am 29 years old and I cannot even get a job at the local coffee shop. I have been out of the workforce too long they said. I have been a SAHM for the last 4 years. My old company closed and I have been looking for any job for a while now. So do not worry it is not your age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missymew Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 We're still living in a boom up north here. You can get a job if you're alive and breathing (I think pull along breathing machines are also acceptable). Leaving work one day last week I ran into a friend that retired 15 years ago. She's filling in for somebody on leave on the main floor citizen action centre. She told me that after she'd been retired for a couple of years, she applied with the city (where she'd worked before retirement) to offer her volunteer services for tours. She got a phone call back and the human resources person asked if she'd be willing to come back in on an "as needed" basis and get paid for her time. She accepted, and comes in for a week or two whenever she feels like it. She could work all the time if she wished. Nope, its not hard to get a job up here right now. Pretty well EVERYWHERE has a help wanted sign on their door. Tim Hortons prefers older, even retired employees. They advertise that if seniors want to come in a few days a week and just serve for the early morning coffee hours - they would accommodate. -Susanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miniwendy Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 Ok, we're all moving to Alberta, Canada!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heidiiiii Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 You are not too old. My *Mom* is 64 years old and she is working full time as a Admin. Assistant. She got the job when she was 58 years old. You just havent found the right boss yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abunai Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 Things are rough right now, I don't think it's your age though. I just got out of college and it took me at least 80 or so resumes over about 6 months to even get a retail job! (TONS of varied experience during school too so it wasn't that). then after another 4 months of looking I finally landed something a little more what i was looking for. Just keep up the search, you will find something, right now it's just all a matter of timing and luck. Remember that with the large number of people looking right now for each position the employer is getting a LOT of resumes, so do some follow up on the ones you send in to make sure yours gets back on the top of the pile! I'll be crossing my fingers for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfie Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 Unfortunately it is the economy. At 52 you are very marketable. At 62, things get a little tough as employers look upon you then as a future health problem, and with insurance rates rising.....well, do the math. But at 52 it's just the economy. Keep on trying. We'll all be sending you good vibes and good luck to finding something. The perfect job will be there when you need it. In the meantime stay by the phone and do your minis! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 Sally, I wasn't much younger than you are when I went to work for the State, and with your clerical skills you are VERY marketable! Check here: https://jobs.myflorida.com/index.html and also at your local State employment office. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SallyG Posted October 8, 2008 Author Share Posted October 8, 2008 Thanks, everyone! You make me feel a lot better! I'm sure the right job will come along...I had a wonderful job when we lived in Maryland and gave it up to come down here when my husband was offered his job. The move was great...oh, well....I will just enjoy my time off until something DOES come along! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Check all the clerical listing for all the State agencies, once you're in you can always transfer. The pay sucks but the benefits used to be excellent before our previous governor took an ax to the service sector, but OPS positions still pay reasonably well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hallowell Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 It's not you, it's the sad economy. I wish you the best of luck and have my fingers crossed for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesterfieldzoo Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 It's not your age. There is a news segment up here for tips on getting a job. They list a lot of things to say and not to say or do. Clothing, attitude, the right way to answer questions on an application, my space or blogs (I would delete mine if I were job hunting) Just keep looking, something will come up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heidiiiii Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 It is the economy really. Places here in the Northeast have started laying off. We are worried about our neighbor`s Dd. She works at one of the casinos (she works on the electronics inside the machines) and they are getting ready to lay off 700 across the board. She is the bad driver..not only will she not be able to support her kids...SHE MAY MOVE BACK HOME! Just keep trying and you will find something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 The private sector is laying off right & left; that's why I suggested the State. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeninky Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 You might have to start out in food world until you can find something better.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 Or Wally World. Once I went door-to-door with a resume and landed a job in a bindery! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SallyG Posted October 10, 2008 Author Share Posted October 10, 2008 Today was a bit more productive. I got one call from a resume I emailed, and one job I called on wants me to come in Monday to fill out an application. So we'll see what they have to say. I am going to look and interview until I find something I really want...I was just getting a bit paranoid that I was getting NO calls at all after about 15-20 resumes. I did sign on with an agency and I haven't heard a peep from them yet..it's been 2 weeks. Ah, well....it probably IS the econony! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrellandmelissa Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 I am 47 and have been looking for work since February, it is not your age, it is the economy. Melissa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellie Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 The older we get, the more dependable we are. When I was younger...much....I used to interview people for a job..... found that the "older" people were much more dependable and were more dedicated to their job. When my Mom had Alzheimers, I quit my job to take care of her and found a position that allowed me to work one day a week (Doctor's Office - I have now been there 10 years and can work 1-5 days per week...(started filling in when others were on vacation or out.....kind of a "Kelly Girl", but I am "Mellie Girl"....LOL. I just wanted to be sure I kept my "foot in the door". I started off by going into a couple of places and telling them instead of hiring "Kelly", who didn't have a clue, to hire me and I would learn their system etc. and they could just call whenever they needed me. Then I had 3, 4, 5, 6, and finally am just back to one place as I can stay as busy as I want.....it doesn't take long to let them know you are dependable and hey, "Kelly" was expensive and not so dependable and you can charge the same as "Kelly", but we are dependable. We have now decided that anyone over 40-ish is more dependable and more dedicated. No childcare problems, etc. I am 60. Good luck with your search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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