Tripod: Work & Money Dilemma

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posted Tuesday June 11, 1996
A Tripod member is facing some 90's business buzzwords head-on: "downsizing," "outplacement," and "agism". He's out-of-work, over 50, and facing the very real possibility of losing his home and everything he's gained from a lifetime of work. After mailing more than 2,000 resumes, no offers have come in. Do you have a fresh perspective or suggestion that could help?

Dickj: Find some experience in your life's experience and nurture it; whether it is a hobby, craft, or expertise that you can draw on to make your lifes work.
As a matter of fact, young people who are showing signs of work related stress should be reminded to assign themselves a divergent role in their working lives. Learn to reinforce personal strengths to draw on as a backup vocation. Working for one's self is far more gratifying and lends to far greater self-reliance in the years when the person learns there is more to life than contributing to the company.
The company store is alive & well -- now is the time to become the company!
IceDream: Currently, I am making money on nutritional products and telecommunications.I guess what I'm trying to say is "Go into business for yourself." There are a lot of home businesses, but I picked a few that require the least of my time.
Email me if you want to know [email protected]
njaviator: As someone who has changed jobs every 5 years, the key to getting a job is and always has been personal contacts. Call everyone you know and ask for help. That is essential.
Without knowing you background it is difficult to give you advice, however I suggest getting into your own business. You must have some skills that someone needs...go for it.
macv: Keep trying! People may not hire you because of your age, but that is something that they will never tell you (or else you could sue and end up owning the company). You said that you have sent out over 2,000 resumes. Wow!! With that number, the odds have got to change. However, being over 50, why not figure out a way to go into that business that you've always had in the back of your mind. There are things that you can do that no one else can. Good luck.
DTS: In your resume, be careful how much history you give and what dates you use for education and etc. That could be a dead giveaway as to your age. Don't say any more than you have to at interview time.
Selyf: I agree with previous responses -- start your own work. I am 49 and working on second job after a layoff that affected me after 13 years on the job. I am empolyed but expect changes to come, therefore my 17-year-old son and I have started a home business in our garage. We have a lot of fun doing this together, and our hope is that we will have something to fall back on when times go bad again. So...go for it man! You never know 'til you try.
cyntaf: Why depend on some stuffy company for your earnings anyway.? I agree with most of the previous responses. There's a shortage of good-quality environmentally-friendly products, so why not start something up yourself?
wukong: Starting your own business is a possibility, as many mentioned. But you must have the capital set aside to do this. I'd like to suggest "temping" with some agencies like Manpower and Kelly. This alternative offers you some income, a chance to build on existing skills or learn new skills, and the opportunity to broaden your contact base.
GrandAdmiralPetry: Self-employment is what you've always done, if you've been a worthy employee all along ... enlarge your perspective .... Best Wishes.
MrCat: I have been self employed now for 15 years and it has been a very rewarding experience. I don't think I make as much money as I would working for someone else, but I'll never be out of a job.I think when you work for someone you are looking to them to stay afloat so in turn you stay afloat -- but if they go under or downsize you do too. I think working for someone is a much bigger gamble.
dadlally: Go to work, not matter what it is you do. I got hung up once and lost a $50k a year job. Got a office job working as an extra in an AT&T; mail room and had a good time. Also took a part time job working doing Prudendtial dental claims...boring but I was busy and productive. I am currently retired, 67 and working part-time in a book store and having the time of my life. Do your best, keep busy, enjoy, and things will develop.
HighFiveDJ: This age of downsizing its a perilous time, especially for corporate employees. I was downsized out of a job and faced the same dilemma as the member who posted this question. After much searching, my solution was to take the approach suggested by DickJ...I "became the company".
I now have a growing business which will allow me to work as long as I want and retire when I want, and the best part is that I'm now equipped to offer that same opportunity to others who are faced with downsizing, outplacement, and agism or want to avoid those problems in the future.
I wish both the member who vocalized the dilemma and everyone else out there with a similar problem every success.
Deryl Johnson
VinceJohns: Something that you might consider, in addition to the excellent suggestions already posted here, is volunteer work (valuable both for you and for the organizations you choose to help). You have to eat, of course, but if you have time, offering your services to a worthy cause should sharpen your job-related skills, help you contact people who will see you in action (not just on a resume), and improve the community. (I also recommend this for single persons seeking companionship.) You have heard of women who have low-paying jobs because they stopped working to raise kids -- but some have done part-time volunteer work while being full-time moms and established reputations in the process that put them right back into leadership positions when they decided to get back into the job market. I was dumbsized a couple of years ago and have been having a ball since then, working part time, doing volunteer work, and being a student again. Go for it!
Convenience1: Look in the back of the National Business Employment Weekly. Find one of the free seminars offered by self help groups in your area. (Watch out for ads... don't talk to companies that want to charge you stiff fees for this.) For example, look for groups like Experience Unlimited or Forty Plus. Sometimes you volunteer to work on their staff...attend workshops...interview with their sources. You learn how to get a job in the field you are most comfortable with. Good luck!! And don't worry, you will find the right job. If you get overly depressed, talk to a mental health professional, they can help you get through tough times.
SelfPower: At 46 I suffered a major heart attack...at 48 another one while in the hospital from that one...had another and wound having triple by-pass surgery...goodbye 18 years on the job. I suggest you return to school...further your education... I did, and like you was older than most of the professors... Now I am 54...have a Masters, working on my Ph.D. I gave up trying to work for the other guy...Opened my own clinic...now the other guy comes to me for reduction of Stress...working for yourself is very satisfying and you always have a great boss...
Good luck, my friend, and God Bless!
kencwong: I understand your feeling. I have seen several people who lost their jobs, however they were able to get over it. Just remember: Don't give up, otherwise you lose the battle forever. Good luck !
elmerf: I would suggest that you send your resume to temporary job shop companies. The amount of salary you will get depends on the demand for your skills. For engineering/software types http://ceweekly.wa.com/cew/index.html is a good place. Take a look. By the way, I was laid off from Rockwell around 1991 and was forced to start contracting. Moved to 6 locations in the last 5 years, but my gross income is about 2.5 times was at Rockwell. Good Luck.

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