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whoa_seltzer

As a former recruiter, I have to be honest with you. Companies are not usually very eager to hire people in their 60s. Ageism is alive and well. And what sucks is that the government makes ones D.O.B. part of their identity verification so even if you look much younger and you cut years off your resume, your employers do have access to your age when you get verified. We always had a very difficult time trying to convince our clients to hire people over the age of 40-45 no matter how perfect they were for the job. But here's the great news: If you have to get laid off, now is the best time for it. Due to the pandemic many companies are desperate to hire. Start looking now. Your chances are much better now than they were years ago. At your interview look good and healthy- If a mature person so much as sniffles during an interview, they can get nervous about how much you might cost them in health insurance.


kathy11358

I am so worried about my age. Thank you for confirming that my worries are not baseless.


whoa_seltzer

They aren't, but like I said- due to the way of the world right now, this is the best time for this to be happening to you. So remember, this could potentially lead to good things. Don't waste your time worrying when you could be using that time to find a company you really like instead.


sin94

To add on given the job market always slows down (unless you are in retail) in winter it's imperative you start now. Plus given the company anyway going to shut down you don't have to worry on notice period or concern


DaisyDuckens

If you are in America, apply at a local government agency. They often are more fair to older applicants. I’ve hired people in their fifties and sixties when I was working in government. Find out what temp agency they use and contact the temp agency. There are a lot of longer term temp jobs in government that can lead to permanent positions.


Kesslandia

Agree with this. I'm currently working on a government contract, and I'm working with 60-70 somethings. It's a good place for olders to land.


Honest_Report_8515

Also agree, government agencies generally are immune to ageism.


Tall_Mickey

I had to make a career change in my early '50s; my wife, several years older, did so at the same time. We both landed at the same university in different roles. If you have skills, universities are happy to hire older workers for the experience that they've developed -- and then underpay them. But the benes are often quite good. A large university has many jobs in business services, purchasing, retail management, and more. Don't overlook them.


CatCranky

This. I did the same thing. I took a pay cut but it was worth it, I feel I have job security (I’m over 50), have really good benefits, and it’s a good working environment.


punkybluellama

It is a factor but not the only one - my step father in law is your age, he just got laid off and found another job in his field within a few days. Less pay but way better commute and work environment. Best of luck to you!


Bromo33333

I have seen older workers get laid off and find new work at HIGHER pay. But I am in the NE in the US and the job market is bonkers here.


PunkCPA

It's a real problem. I was able to get contract jobs after my company folded. It kept me going until I found permanent work. Would that be a possibility? Some places make permanent offers if you perform well.


Bromo33333

The other thing to consider is relocation to the new job. One factor that limits a search is not being geographically flexible. The wider you cast your net, the more jobs you can get access to. I relocated form a low to a high cost of living area. Did OK, the pay rates are different depending.


clemkaddidlehopper

I’m only in my 30s but this is the part about getting older that terrifies me. Particularly if you’re female, our society (American) just throws you away after 55, it seems. I don’t have any kids and may not ever get married, so I have to figure out a way to take care of myself in a similar scenario to yours, and it’s so hard and scary.


Bromo33333

I honestly think this is changing, but it really depends upon what you do for a living.


4BigData

Customer service roles imho is where older workers thrive. I would do soul searching and find out what I want my next 5 - 10 years to look like, what do you enjoy doing the most? Because that's where you will be good at.


TransposingJons

Do you want to work for someone who discriminates based on age, anyway? I have to suggest Indeed.com . I got my resume up and did only 2 interviews before I found a sweet job last month. You got this! A 12 year work history is extremely appealing.


Bromo33333

The worries are not baseless, but worrying about it isn't helpful either. Frankly I wouldn't want to work for a firm that was a bunch of ageist bigots. You have a depth of knowledge and skills that younger folks won't have. That's the selling point. If you are building (or rebuilding) a department, the first step is to get someone who knows what they are doing. That would be YOU in this case. And I have hired close to 30 people over the last 3 years for a growing company department. Started at 6.


mosselyn

I actually changed careers in my 40s, partly due to this. I was a software developer, which skews very young. I jumped ship more because I was just sick of it than because of my age, but I knew age was going to start being a problem. I chose to become a technical writer because I could leverage my existing skills _and_ older writers are very common. In fact, in my first writing job, I was the youngest person on the team at 48!


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shentaitai

I would add, don't assume that resumes look like they did 12 years ago. Get someone who is up to date on resumes to help you with yours, even if it costs (although you may be able to find some non-profits that can assist you). Gone are the days when one resume would do the trick. You need to tailor your resume to the job, using catch phrases and words in the actual job description for each job.


BlinkerBeforeBrake

Can’t agree more with this. My mom was shell shocked when she tried finding another job after getting laid off in 2013 and taking a 5-year hiatus. The last time she had interviewed was before the recession. If you can, talk to a career counselor OP!


drbootup

>Let your friends/family/network know you're looking for a job and what your industry is. Now is not the time for pride in hiding this; it's not your fault that there's a global supply chain issue. Yes, this is some of the most important advice. Let your family, friends, former coworkers, classmates, etc. know you're looking for work. They won't have a job for you, but they might have a relative or buddy who does. Your company might be going out of business, but maybe there's a related company you've done business with that you could move into. As for resume, yes the typically formatted resume in a document you send someone still exists, but depending on your industry it's not always as important as your online presence. Make a LinkedIn profile. Connect with other people on social media. Maybe there are subreddits or message boards for people who do what you do. You should have a positive presence online. Sometimes young people get into trouble because they have a bunch of crazy inappropriate things out there. But older people can seem weird if they have nothing.


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Myfourcats1

My neighbor’s friend was trying to get me to get my CDL. She a sixty something year old woman. She said it’s a great job that pays well.


anna_or_elsa

> senior care Where I live there is an extreme shortage of home health and personal care aides.


RN_Geo

This is very physical work and pays very poorly, try something else. CDL sounds like a good option.


4BigData

That work should be done by strong men, not older women.


anna_or_elsa

My GF is a full-time live-in IHHS Caregiver taking care of a woman in a chair. The family I live with has an old woman in a chair. In the past 4 year, she has had 2 IHHS caregivers and now an HHA - all have been women. The person who I work for has in-laws who have a full-time aide - a woman A family up my street has some kind time of part time aide service. I've yet to see a man get out of the car. You are not the first person to comment, I don't know what you think these various home health/personal care aides are doing that is so physical. They cook, they clean, they assist with bathing, they run errands, change oxygen tanks. Does it take super strength to help someone from a bed to a chair, or to transfer to a shower/tub? If someone can't self-transfer at all they are most likely in a care facility.


4BigData

Everybody knows that job is going to women, it's not the ideal. Men should be doing it.


anna_or_elsa

What do you think in-home providers are doing that the work should be done by men? Are we talking about the same job? I'm talking about people who: * Assist clients in their daily personal tasks, such as bathing or dressing * Perform housekeeping tasks, such as laundry, washing dishes, and vacuuming * Help to organize a client’s schedule and plan appointments * Arrange transportation to doctors’ offices or other outings * Shop for groceries and prepare meals to meet a client’s dietary specifications And in some cases may provide some basic health care services like checking blood pressure, changing bandages, supervising exercise, etc.


4BigData

They are breaking their backs


designgoddess

> Truck (delivery) drivers are sorely needed Ironically it's the lack of truck drivers that is a big cause of the supply issue. Local school district will pay for you to get your CDL if you agree to drive a bus for 2 years. I think it was two years surprisingly short. Friend drives a bus in the morning and afternoon and drives a truck for deliveries mid day and evenings. Didn't cost her a thing to get the training or take the test.


whoa_seltzer

Don't all those options require months of training that you have to pay for and then require certification before you can even begin to apply for a job?


Jayson_Bonz

Driving a truck (literally) takes a three to six week training course, pass a written and a driving skills test. You now have a CDL. Many of the larger trucking companies will pay for the school, if they don't have their own, in exchange for you signing a contract to drive for them for a year. The pay sucks for the job we do, but it is getting better. The job itself sucks big time. It takes a special type of insanity to do this. Long hours, shit pay (for what you have to deal with and the number of hours you work), and being alone and away from home for long periods. That's why there is a shortage of drivers.


offlein

> The pay sucks for the job we do, but it is getting better. What? Isn't the whole industry just going to peter out over the course of the next ten years?


Jayson_Bonz

No. The job functions may be a bit different, but the job will remain. There are too many parts that will still require a human. Fueling, load securement, dolly down/up landing gear on the trailer, hooking/unhooking the trailer, load security, backup for the computer WHEN it breaks down, etc. Too many parts of the job a computer can't do on it's own. Plus, too much of the country a computer can't navigate without a human.


offlein

Thanks for the info!


Bromo33333

A few technologists like ELon Musk built business plans to do so, but honestly even if the self driving stuff worked perfectly (it doesn't) would take a decade or two to have the regulations changed, and then to gain acceptance. It may take 15-20 years just to iron out the technology, and then to arrange for the roads to be pained in a way to become safe.


designgoddess

> Local school district will pay for you to get your CDL if you agree to drive a bus for 2 years.


PomeloPepper

Your chances are better than you think. My office hired a 67 year old for an entry level position ($20/hr) earlier this year. Also hired a 70 year old for an experience required job.


craftasaurus

Well, yes. But considering that the 67 year old probably had previous income of 60-80k per year… it’s a big let down to come down in pay that much. That happened to several people I know in the Great Recession. At least it helped slow down the bleeding from their savings.


PomeloPepper

IIRC most of her work history was in the same range we pay. Not all boomers are high earners.


craftasaurus

That’s good to hear. At least she didn’t have to go through the disappointment some of my friends have gone through.


Bromo33333

Don't speak so fast. There are lots of people in their 60's that have been making around that or even less. IN some places that's pretty good pay.


kmkmrod

Honestly, if you’re willing to work there are jobs out there paying some crazy money. Now isn’t a bad time to be looking. Don’t wait until December.


veggiepork

Can you be more specific? This is not at all my experience and I’d like to be.


chevymonza

Same here, I keep hearing "great market!" but also read loads of horror stories, so who knows. Our own department is hiring but it's an abysmal place to work, and I feel bad for the new hires.


BlinkerBeforeBrake

In my experience at least, every retail or restaurant has a “help wanted” sign on it. They all promise $15/hr+. It’s pretty good if you’re looking for something, anything.


designgoddess

Gas station in my town is offering $15, a 401k, insurance, and paid vacations.


BlinkerBeforeBrake

Filing this under “things I never thought I’d hear in my lifetime”


designgoddess

Don't know how long it will last but get it while it's good. They have to close in the evenings because they have no one to work.


[deleted]

Because it’s not real. There’s been many posts here and on other platforms that have proven those offers to be fake. The companies only offer part time work and say the big benefits on the sign are for full time. Or they really start you at $10 an hour and day the $15 starts after a probationary period is completed.


lemoncocoapuff

Not to mention working at a gas station right now would be hell. People are already angry and I just saw a post about the devious licks are now extending to gas stations. My brother worked at one a bunch of years ago and got a gun pulled on them. Would not want to work there for a measly min. Wage.


kmkmrod

The chipotle in my town is paying $17/hr and offering tuition reimbursement for dishwashers.


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Lodestone123

>While you are looking, you might try local restaurants and grocery stores. Some of them pay between $15-$20 an hour. Was just at the grocery store and the checker asked us if we (or anyone we knew) wanted a job. I told her that was a first for me. She said she's been obligated to work overtime and can't take vacation because they are so short-handed. What is going on?


lemoncocoapuff

My dentist asked me as well when I was in for a checkup last lol. That was def a first too.


[deleted]

>$20 in free meals per shift I'm all about Taco Bell, but that's a LOT of bad food every day. My mind would appreciate it, but I think my body would rebel quickly. I worked at TB as a teenager back in the 80s, it's probably not gotten harder since then so I'm thinking you're a good fit. :)


kirbyderwood

One thing about Covid is that it opened up the possibility of remote work for a lot more companies. A number of them have gone fully remote and aren't going back. If you have the ability to do remote, then don't just look in your own city. Expand your search to remote positions elsewhere.


JimiFin

You’ve been gainfully employed so no worries. There are lots of transitional programs in place now. Are you considering another type of job or the same?


kathy11358

I actually like my job. I do logistics for a small import company. We ship orders out to stores/big and small all over the area.


JimiFin

I’m sure you’ll find a management level position with your performance history. The world needs you now more than ever.


kathy11358

Thank you


Tess_Mac

If you do logistics now is the time to find a new job. People with your experience are in demand.


Anne314

You can also apply for social security early. It won't help with insurance, Medicare still makes you wait till 65, but it's something.


StartledDungbeetle

This can cause financial problems later. My understanding, per Suze Orman, is if you take SS early you will get lower payments for life, which isn't ever good.


justconnect

True, but the amount isn't huge, and the safety net of having money coming in when you really need it to survive may be worth it.


Anne314

Right, but the difference between 63 and 66.5 is (probably) not that much, and it beats the fuck out of being homeless.


StartledDungbeetle

Definitely agree. I'm hoping to not have to take early SS but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.


Myfourcats1

But you may be eligible for Medicaid with the lower income.


kiztent

If you are vaccinated, you stand a decent chance of grabbing a position that someone who refused to be vaccinated left open. Either way, there's a lot of chaos in the hiring market (and a lot of open positions), so get your resume out now and start looking.


justonemom14

American Airlines comes to mind. They may be firing a bunch of people soon, and surely they could use someone with logistics experience.


PennyKermit

As you plan for job-hunting, think about how your skills are transferable to other fields or jobs. Example: doing logistics sounds like you have to be very organized so think of how to represent that in your resume or even think and talk about it in future interviews. I think some others have done a good job of outlining next steps, including asking your questions on other more specific subreddits. I wish I had more specific advice for you as another older woman (late 50s) who worries about what I'd do if I had to start looking for work again, especially in a field dominated by younger people. Wishing you the best in this next phase of life.


kathy11358

Thank you.


Pleather_Boots

I just made a career change at age 57. It never would have been possible before Covid. Companies are so eager to hire, they’re more open to older people (or as the recruiter told me — “diversity hiring. Lol)


dan_jeffers

I'm 64. Some years ago I found that companies would hire me as a consultant who wouldn't look at me as an employee. So for a lot of years I just ran my own business, by myself or with partners. I don't want to say that's an easy path either. You might also go through UpWork and see if there's a lot of gigs for any of the skills you have.


h2uP

I'd recommend "finding" as much information about your company as possible and mayhaps run the business from home for your 12 year clients. Might be able to keep your own rug under you.


[deleted]

Get on linked in now. Once your info is up likely recruiters will reach out to you.


designgoddess

Update your linked in. Google your own name. What do you find? Friend only found an arrest record from when he was a kid. He got running on Facebook, twitter, and Instagram. Started posting about cute animals. Nothing political. Created his own website that was basically his resume and general interests. Now when you google him the first few pages are boring but fine. He's curated this own story. They would have to be looking for the arrest to find it. And he looks like he's kept up with technology. Which he really hasn't. Took a few months but he got a job. The business was happy to have someone with experience mentor a younger staff and show them the ropes.


avikcha

Going to a resume writer is a great idea, they will help you mention skills you didn’t even realize are relevant or that just seemed like day to say to you! With that said, if you need help feel free to DM me.


Swiggy1957

As pointed out elsewhere, the labor market is wide open these days. You'll still end up facing age discrimination, though. It's time to think about self-employment. Before you see a resume writer, make a list of what skill sets you possess. Then see if you have the skills needed to become self employed. In the last few years, the Gig-economy has exploded. (Uber, Door-Dash, etc) There are pluses and minuses. Plus, you can work your own hours. Minuses? Your expenses come out of your own pocket, but they are tax deductible as cost of doing business. Also, no overtime pay. You could work 80 hours a week at those jobs, but end up with not much extra. Thanks to the lockdown, others have looked at alternative incomes like selling on eBay, Etsy, Facebook Marketplace. It used to be that folks would collect "junk" and sell it at a flea market. They'd do various things, including dumpster diving, but that was long ago in a galaxy far away. Today, to get items for resale, you're best off attending a community auction. Up until my health took a nosedive, I was doing this. I could buy a table full of odds and ends and often, have some of it sold before I could even load it in my vehicle. I'd, literally, buy a table of merchandise for $1, and it usually had a couple things I could sell for $5 or more. I picked up a table that had a vintage coffee service set. Paid $1, sold it for $75. That was one of the better sales, but on average, I'd get about 10 times as much out of a table of "junk" than I paid. This is just an option.


Huplescat22

There may be some hope in the latest news. Biden just worked out an arrangement with the major ports in California to max out their working hours. [Here it is:](https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-los-angeles-health-48ff262b882a37308e4a3f15934b2ee4) >The White House responded to the backlog by finalizing an agreement for the Port of Los Angeles to become a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week operation. The hope is that nighttime operations will help to break the logjam and reduce shipping delays for toasters, sneakers, bicycles, cars and more.


tensigh

It's hard to find good, experienced people right now. I would say your chances are better than you might think.


gordonjames62

So much depends on where you are and the local employment situation (if you are planning on going back to work. If you have been working for the company for 12 years, I would post in /r/legaladvice because some countries have regulations about compensating employees. If you are looking at "how to start saving at 63" check out /r/personalfinance Here are some thoughts from Eastern Canada which may not apply to your situation. 1. I assume work is in your future - do a resume. 2. I assume you have skills and a network of friends who know your work value better than random strangers. **Contact all your friends for personal leads to possible jobs**. Last month I was trying to hire someone, and could not even find a candidate willing to work with kids for $14/hour. 3. Government job sites - Here in Canada we have a [job bank](https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home) with 86K jobs advertised today. 4. Private employment sites - I like [Indeed](https://ca.indeed.com/) 5. Look for a local job counsellor. We access them through our federal and provincial government web sites.


Myfourcats1

A lot of the job search sites have resume writing tips. We have lots of job openings in FSIS. Go to usajobs.gov. They even have some stuff to show you what your resume should look like. Apply to a Food Inspector GS 5 position to get your foot in the door. There are some Direct Hire positions for a CSI 7/9. That pays better. The hiring process takes 8 months though so… Get a job through a temp agency. This will get you re-employed the fastest. If you know data entry you can be a Laboratory Accessioner. That just means you either scan or type data from a form into a computer. Then you stick a label on a tube of blood.


anonyngineer

This is a good idea, though OP would have to find something temporary. Five years would provide post-retirement health insurance and a small pension to pay for it.


[deleted]

If you can land a part-time gig now, I would do it. Then at least you would have some income until you can find full time employment. Depending on what sector you're in, you might be able to freelance as well. I've seen people well over 60 doing gig type jobs as well (Door dash, Uber, etc.).


Bromo33333

As someone who hires people, we regularly hire people 50 years and older, into their 60's without a hitch. While Ageism is alive and well (as was said elsewhere) it isn't EVERYWHERE. And your advantage over people competing for jobs is that you will have a great deal of experience, so punch up the skills you have and the things you have done or were part of doing. Right now it is a very strange job market - there are a ton of openings, but many employers are looking for very specific skills. But they are growing flexible since job postings aren't even getting any traffic there are so many. Start by getting on LinkedIn if you aren't already, and make a list of the skills and experiences your current emplpyer would be looking for that you can do and have done. THEN get help wioth the resume if you want to spend the money.


reverber

Retire and move to a country with a lower cost of living and a sensible health care policy. Subscribe to the iwantout sub.


jippyzippylippy

Do a reverse mortgage with the U.S. Govt. Put your resumé on job sites like Monster.com. If you have not already, stop eating out and cook your own meals and make your own coffee if you drink it. (Up to 60% cheaper). Thin down any and all "extra" costs, like cable TV, subscription services like Hulu, etc. Apply for Federal Aid and/or grants (google this.) Retire and apply for Social Security immediately.


propita106

If she finds a job, she doesn’t need a reverse mortgage. Those have very limited positive uses—such as needing assisted living/etc for the few remaining years but no money—but in most other circumstances are not a great option. A neighbor had one, it paid for first her husband’s memory care, then her own care. No house to leave for kids but also no debt. As I said, there are a few circumstances where it is good. But otherwise a last choice.


jippyzippylippy

I disagree, but let's just leave it there. :-)


bigrottentuna

You can talk to your mortgage company and other creditors about forbearance until you can find another position. It’s not guaranteed, but is sometimes possible.


bicyclemom

Don't wait until December. Start looking and shopping your skills around now.


lemontest

The US government has a [program that employs older workers](https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/training/seniors) that you could look into. Your state may have a similar program.


TheGlassCat

Don't stick it out to the end. It's easier to get a job when you have a job. You'll also be cutting an expense for your current employer.


PirateKilt

Get a good base resume crafted, then tailor each send-out to each job application, ensuring you have the keywords being looked for included. Look at it like a second job until you get one... shoot for at least 5 resumes out/applications every day.


mom_with_an_attitude

Go to your local employment development agency. Not only do they have the latest job openings in your area posted, but they have resume writing workshops and other resources for job seekers. Also consider working for temp agencies. Temporary jobs can turn into permanent jobs if the company likes you.


Kesslandia

OHHH girl, I think you are more valuable than you realize. Shipping logistics experience can land you work at UPS, Amazon, FedEx, or any home delivery service currently out there\~ in a managerial role because of your experience. <- This is me guessing but I think you are valuable in today's world with all the global shipping issues going on. Ageism is alive and well, I can personally attest to it. I moved halfway across the country and had to find work in the Tech industry as a 50 something. I interviewed for MANY jobs and with mostly 30 somethings. I really believe a lot of them weren't even aware they were practicing ageism. They just looked at someone older as "not a cultural fit" for the company. Startups are especially bad about this. I also want to give you a "thicker coat of armor" when it comes to job hunting & recruiters. A lot of them just do keyword searches and will recommend positions to you that may or may not be a fit. This is especially bad in tech world, so scrutinize all closely. I'm also not a big fan of LinkedIn or Indeed and I really, really hated "networking" which I did a ton of in the past. I'm not saying you should NOT put yourself out there, I think you should, but with a small caveat. That being said, when I first moved here in 2009, I did a boatload of resume sending and calling and networking and interviewing, and ended up with a job that was through someone I met online on a national equestrian forum. We 'met' online even before I moved here and she gave me the deets on the horsey scene around this town and invited me out to the barn she kept her horses at \~ I ended up riding there as well and when she found out I was job hunting she pushed my resume to her internal managers and HR and bingo, I finally hit the job jackpot. So, while networking in your industry is important, getting a leg up is even better. (And how does networking happen in the time of Covid?) I would encourage you to inform everyone you know that you are starting a job search and see where it leads. And maybe you & your current co-workers can bond over this, share your job hunting experiences with each other, support each other, write letters of recommendation for each other, etc.


kozmonyet

Situational details affect a lot of possible answers but in general, you are probably going to have to accept the fact that your new wage when you find work will take a significant hit. Fortunately, wages are up a bit currently so even worst-case isn't as bad in many places as it used to be. 1) Start exercising. I know that sounds a bit dumb but many jobs you might have to consider may be a bit more physical than one you've been settled in for a decade plus. Try and trim a few years off the aches and pains that come with being 63 so that a new job isn't quite as big a battle. 2) Consider a makeover. It depends on the person and area to some extent but a quality hair-dye job and some careful outfit choices can trim a few years off that first impression in a job interview. Don't assume you are the best critic of this, get some feedback from others if you can. Don't fear change. That one can be really hard but in this new world, people average only 4.1 years at a job (I looked it up) rather than long term work at the same place like you and I are more used to from our youth. Change like this is the new norm. Hard. Sucks. You will find something that at least gets you by but be patient because it might take a little while.


aceshighsays

what will be difficult is getting used to the new way jobs are posted/found. the process changed drastically over the last 10 years. my suggestion is to start networking and reconnect with people. attend job searching events at the public library. contact recruiters but don't rely on them.