Dear Abel & Sofi: Sending Out An S.O.S. For 70-Something Senior Seeking New Job
About Dear Abel and Sofi: While our Q&A Forum addresses 1,000+ public questions weekly, we wanted to give our small business owners an outlet to anonymously share the kinds of frustrations, fears and private struggles few people express openly. Father-daughter duo Abel and Sofi co-author the column, bringing diverse perspectives to both professional and personal problems. A serial entrepreneur and counselor, Abel, 65, is known for his empathy and his uncanny understanding of many issues. Co-owner of a salon, Sofi, 28, has a younger, more candid approach to life’s challenges. To submit your anonymous questions, click here.
Dear Abel & Sofi:
I'm going on 74 and still working full time -- or trying to… Currently, I’m a solopreneur.
But I’ve been looking for a full-time position with a good company for a while, and no one will hire me, in spite of my high office skills. So I turned to selling voluntary benefits, which very few people want in today's insanity.
And now I'm trying the seniors market -- all the Medicare-related products, etc. And the course for getting that license is brutal, but I'm doing it!
Problem: I don't have a dime left. I've been trying for 17 years (since my last company closed) to work at anything that pays (and I now have some physical limitations). I can't find anything lasting that has a salary. I'm open to your suggestions, or any possible solutions.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Sincerely, Drowning
ABEL: Dear Drowning, You are FAR from alone. Many workers over 65, even in this economy, are having a tough time either starting a new business from scratch – or going back to work in a “regular” office.
Traditional office jobs are fewer and farther between because more offices are virtual now, which actually could be good news for you, given any physical challenges. Tap the growing remote marketplace and try to find a full-time position working from home. Google “full-time, remote jobs” and review those sites.
The other obstacle you and millions of others face is age discrimination – a glaring issue that many media outlets don’t address nearly as often as they tackle other types of discrimination.
Hopefully, as our population ages, the media will focus more of its attention on age discrimination, encouraging legislators to find better, broader solutions for anyone affected by it. But for now, it’s still something older workers need to face head-on and handle in both creative and practical ways.
The good news is that we’re already seeing some positive changes occurring. AARP has a list of employers that prefer hiring mature workers – for their wisdom, loyalty, dependability, and mentoring skills. Here’s that list.
And, right here at Alignable, you should find many supporters, as several members toiled in the corporate world for decades before going out on their own. Or they’re part of a family-run business where they know, firsthand, how people of all ages contribute great value to an organization. Finally, several members seek referrals to other members who can take on projects or even fill formal, full-time jobs. Those posts land on our Forum a few times per week.
PLUS, as part of this column, we’ve already seen thousands of members offer really helpful advice and leads to others seeking help. Sometimes those offers are posted publicly or members send them to us privately. Either way, we’ll email you about any leads or contact information we receive and you can choose what to pursue. It’s my sincere hope that this post generates a great deal of Alignable magic for you.
All my best, Abel
SPECIAL NOTE TO OTHER MEMBERS – As always, please share your advice and support below. And if you have a job opportunity or project that requires a very talented and dedicated worker – please let us know! Post it below or send it to our private link which you can find here.
SOFI: Hi Drowning, Thanks for writing in about your situation. While age discrimination sucks, I have a few other ideas that might help you land a great gig.
For starters, I’d make sure your resume is up to date and is formatted in a modern, clean, and easy-to-read way. There are tons of free templates online to use. Make sure the points on your resume show that you’re a dependable worker, and list your key accomplishments. You mention having “high office skills.” If you can demonstrate how those skills led to tangible benefits, your resume will be even more impressive.
While you might think you’re not getting hired because of your age, it could just be the way you’re carrying yourself. Confidence is key. I can understand how you’re probably ready to give up, but you don’t want to seem defeated when you interview. Put your best foot forward, smile, and act like you know you could do an amazing job. Use your age to your advantage, telling interviewers that you know what it takes to run an office or handle any other job that fits your skills.
Shallow or not, people will probably have a first impression of you based on your appearance. Dress nicely and professionally, and wear classic clothing that looks modern. I wouldn’t wear your favorite dress from 15 years ago, no matter how becoming. If it looks old-fashioned, they’ll put you in the “too old” bucket, regardless of your qualifications.
When you’re searching for jobs, I’d focus less on the big brands and more on local, small businesses. Look at your mom and pop furniture store, or the local flooring place, or a paint store – find businesses nearby that are family-owned. Chances are good that they’re having a hard time finding someone they can trust to run the back office. If you walk in there and point to your experience and ability to work well under pressure, I bet they’ll hire you on the spot!
Lastly, 74 years old isn’t old! You are 74 years young! Any company that doesn’t want to hire you because you’re more mature than their current staffers isn’t the type of place you want to work.
Good luck and keep your chin up! We’re all rooting for you!
Cheers, Sofi
Comments (11-20)
Dear Downing,
As a health insurance agent who helps seniors with Medicare, I must say: Get your licensing and appointments done for Medicare! I know it is grueling, hard work - but, of all the health insurance products I represent, I love helping clients with Medicare. And - a 74 - year-old senior helping seniors with Medicare is an added plus and bonus for seniors! Seniors want to do business with people whom they know and they trust. As senior citizen Medicare expert is what I recommend you strive for. As a self-employed independent agent, representing Medicare products gives you your freedom and flexibility. It may be tough getting started, but believe me, it is so worth it. You will never have to worry about an employer eliminating your position and then having to find another job. Being an independent Medicare agent rocks! Go for it!! Good luck.
Dear Drowning,
Stop, don't drown! I am 66 and loving what I do after working as an engineer for 20 years and then in the organic food business for 20 years. I plan to do what I am doing now until the day I die, hopefully well over 100! I work with a 44 year old Japanese company that has a product people just can't live without and I could use some help. This offer is for you or anyone who would like to make some extra income doing something that is truly helping others. The best part is you don't have to sell anything. It's a referral rewards program from Japan, the #1 health care system in the world that has something every American needs but will never get from this unfortunate US medical industry that only cares about prescribing big pharma drugs. They keep Americans sick and dying at new unprecedented rates by suppressing symptoms and never addressing causation. This equipment gets right to the root cause of all major chronic issues plaguing the American people today. But all you do is just refer people and I take it from there and you get $320 on your first interested referral who buys the flagship Japanese medical device that every home in America needs. That is my mission and passion: to get this device in every home in America. I partner with both medical and alternative doctors, all kinds of health professionals, and others who would not live without this device for them and their family. And the best part is; you get an unlimited supply at no cost to you as long as you are working with me. Too good to be true? Call or text me anytime to learn more.
In Good Health!
Aaron Dodson, P. E.
Organic Food Supply Co
xxx-xxx-xxxx mobile/text
If you need a headshot for your resume I’ll do one for you at no cost if that would help you.
if someone is in need for money to make a living by the age of 74, every government worldwide should be ashamed. as a fact: at that age, most have health problems, and even if it is only to stand or walk long enough to do a job. but if you are so deeply in need, than a job where you can work from home is the best! there are not so many good companies out there, but there are a few. it is hard to find them. other than that: we need to change the rules for retired people. meaning: every one, who comes to the age of 63!!!! should get a pension where he / she can live in comfort on. And if someone really wants to go ahead with working , why not. give your knowledge to the next generation - for free. that benefits all of us.
Dear Joanna,
I found myself in the same boat a few years ago when I lost my job due to the economy. I took some time to really figure out what I wanted to do and decided to become a virtual assistant. Basically, I work from home and support my family (my husband is sick and we're raising 2 grandkids) doing VA work. I have several really plum VA long-term gigs (for 3-4 years) and that steady income really helps!
What I learned is that the old secretarial / admin assistant jobs are pretty much obsolete. I had to teach myself a new set of skills, but was able to transfer a lot that I used to do to being a VA.
My suggestion is to reach out to my friend Galena who runs the Virtual Assistant Clinic. She offers a job board that you can sign up for (she's offering a 1 month free trial right now). This is where I got my best VA gigs. Here's the link to the job board (she calls them job alerts). https://www.facebook.com/group/vaclinic/
Galena is a wealth of information - she herself is the major breadwinner in her family and understands the challenges of being a VA and working from home.
Another great resource I enjoy is Virtual Assistant Savvies. https://www.facebook.com/group/vasavvies/. Abbey is really great and offers some excellent training.
Another group I learned a lot from is https://www.facebook.com/group/vatipstricks/. That group is really helpful if you run into something and you need help.
Let me know if you have any questions. You can reach me at [email address].
I wish you all the best!
Kind regards,
Vena
Give thanks for your this new perfect job and start to know it is on it's way. Lots of books on this..I like May Mccarthy's Gratitude Formula or The Game of Life and How to Play it. I help people with a part time side gig and we have an awesome 84 year old that is so fashionable and hip. Best to YOU..claim your good, envision it, feel it and talk about it. It is Yours!
Hi Drowning,
I use a woman as a virtual assistant which I think you can do from anywhere (home based business). She keeps my calendar for me and reminds me of upcoming meeting, business trips, she will compose letters and emails for me as well. She coordinated a huge marketing mailing for me too. Last year she offered to book my airline and hotels for a trip I was taking to three cities and it was flawless and saved me a ton of time. She bills one of two ways Hourly/Contract depending on my needs or on a per project basis (the large mailing). She will also research prospective accounts in my area. Her joke to me is "My brain works fine, the body not so much." Despite her physical limitations her brain and her computer work great.
Something to consider, but if you are organized and love attention to detail and follow up it could be worth a shot. Then you have to get accounts to use you. Start with professional firms, lawyers, CPA's, doctors, etc. Do some research on what other virtual assistants offer and maybe call them for how to price your services.
Good luck,
Jim Gano Crown Trophy of Flemington (NJ)
I don't know if you live in or near a metro area which would offer more opportunities. Also, metro areas offer more support groups such as churches, social clubs and social agencies to connect with to give you more options. If you are in a rural area, a church that is well-networked and a pastor who is as well can give you some direction. Also, the local libraries often have leads as do senior centers on opportunities. Depending on where you live look into social agencies that can advise you.
Ageism is a growing problem for "Boomers" when seeking a job. Most of us have been in the workforce since the '60's or '70's only to have had fortunes bombarded by Reagonomics, personal tragedies, the S & L Scandal, several recessions and the Great Recession of '08. Now many of us are trying to rebuild some financial stability.
Here are my two suggestions that have afforded me some success:
Start a service-based business or become a sales associate in a market that you know something about. I chose to become a business funding consultant. My background is not finance but engineering. However my technical training, linear reasoning and mathematical skills are transferable to the finance industry. You can become a referral source for a company such as mine, Business Money Source, LLC. Capitalize on your contacts and business relationships that you have developed over your career. Find a business, entrepreneur or real estate investor seeking financing, refer them to us and if the introduction results in a successful loan closing you will receive a referral fee. For more information go to: https://www.business-money-sou...
My second suggestion also allows you to draw upon your years of education and work experience. There is a high demand for tutors and mentors for school-age children, college students and in adult education. Almost every public school system offers tutoring and mentoring programs in reading, math, science and any subject that students need help. Also there is demand to teach English as a second language to many children and adults. There are even online programs to allow you to teach English to people in foreign countries.
I am currently tutoring math at a public middle school, 5 hours/day. It can be stressful trying to keep up with 12 year-olds but it is also rewarding.
Ageism is an obstacle but it will not stop those who will not give up. We "Boomers" have something that younger people do not have - years of work experience! Experience only comes by living and doing. We still have a lot to offer and a lot of living to do!