The 10 Most Common Jobs for Older Workers

Reader Comments

Back to blog

You TELL it Livin, Tx.! Funny, they talk about raising the retirement age, but then continue to push the agenda that, education beats common sense. Remember when something was broke? You fixed it. Today they reason, use logic, rationalize, and do the educated math. Look where we are. How's that working out for them? If I want to know about the twenties, I'd rather ask someone who was there, then some history teacher who only read about it. But science is the new "Creation", as though they know more because they can do math, or reason, or apply logic. Some things defy logic. But I guess mathematically, or scientifically, that wouldn't add up now would it? Education and intilligence are not always neccessarily relative are they? Oh yeah - times, they are a changin. geez.

Michael Watson of MO 4:22AM September 28, 2011

This article is from 2008. I agree with the top 10 jobs for seniors, but within a decade all those 40 year olds will be 50 and they will NOT go down without a fight. Today's 40 year olds will NOT lie down and die just because they hit the big 50. The future will have more age discrimination lawsuits that cannot be ignored like they are today. I would say tax preparers and funeral directors have the fastest entry into the job market. I've seen a few seniors as product marketers. I have not seen any tool grinders. Most ranchers and farmers are older. Their kids sell their land. I have not seen any seniors who work as crossing guards in my area. A really good job for seniors is owning a nursing assistant or other career school for adults. Tutoring is a good job for seniors. The hiring managers of today will find the shoe on the other foot in about 10 to 20 years. I'm willing to bet they won't go down without a fight. In 20 years we won't recognize our workforce...hope I live long enough to see my words come true.

livin of TX 11:46PM September 08, 2011

I fully agree with the comments made.I am now 67 and worked for the same company in sales for seven years. my contract was extended at 65. now though I am to old. I am still the same person I was six months ago ,with the same drive and want to continue working. for the last month of my contract ,I spent training a younger person for a job i still wanted and knew that I could do. Age is a frame of mind, it should not be a barrier for working. Experience is priceless.

PRESTON

ENGLAND

peter williams of 8:16AM August 22, 2011

I worked in the printing industry for the past 40 years. I did many jobs there and my last being a press operator and Bindery worker. I stayed busy, done my job well. Never had a medical problem was always dependable. The company started hiring legal immigrants with cheaper salaries and guess what. When they decided to downsize, I was the one out of a job. I had worked for this company for over 12 years. This kind of action by an employer should be a

criminal offense. Definately it is immoral. Older workers who do their jobs should

be protected by law. We have got to get involved and take back our government.

The Government does not protect the older worker expecially from employers who favor immigrants over American citizens. The Company I worked for did not go out of business, they just downsized. We need smaller government with less laws on business to help them grow. I don't have many options at my age and this should never been allowed to happen.

John Morefield of VA 11:22AM August 19, 2011

The facts are out ther but strung about like pieces of a 1000000 piece puzzle and just too damned hard to put together. Inconclusive, speculative, can almost touch it but nebulous because employers want it that way. Hard to prove and it takes tons of time. Then you get known around the community as a wise ass senior citizen. Scre em! If they can't see the forest for the trees that older workers are a valuable asset primarily because most of them have what many younger workers do not. Common sense and a work ethic. For five years I watched as younger employees than myself with less education and lousier work ethics and 3 wore skirts had good looks but couldn't handle the job and nevertheless were selected over me. Why I asked myself and an insider who did administrative work for the selection board. You were deemed too old and would likely be sick all the time. Interesting because I was only 53 at the time and hadn't used a sick day in over 8 years. So I was too old and sickly, but prove it in a legal battle and probably at my friends job loss! So I stuck around and did the best I could until I was hired on as an adjunct professor where I could use my education, 40 years of experience and be respected by my peers and recognized by my employer as an asset to their staff. The former job was in Civil Service the new job was in a local community 2 year college/university system. I just recently retired from there because I was financially capable and wanted to start drawing my social security benefits before the progressive nut bags in DC drained it to pad their salaries with.

Seamus William Sean Maghee of MT 1:34AM August 06, 2011

Call it what it is, Age Discrimination. I was interviewed by the same company twice, two phone interviews per position and one face to face per position. They took one look and guess who did not get the job.

Dari of MD 8:42PM July 23, 2011

Never been out of a job since I was 10 years old. Had to start working like a lot of young fellows did back in mid and late 50's. I cant believe after working over seas as a project manager in the IZ Zone ( green zone ) I can't even find a paper route. Experience at a older age doesn't mean much anymore. If you have credentials with no experience that seems to be the only thing that counts. Believe me, I'm not bitter, I having a hard time trying to understand where its all coming from. If you get one of these so called grants and have a career change, 1000 people are waiting in line to get the job once the graduate and your really domed if you 65 and older. What a shame. By the way, I applied over seas and the only thing they ( executives ) wanted to know is how MANY Credentials I have and how many languages I speak. All the experience in the last 45 years is useless.

jack of AZ 10:43PM May 22, 2011

I'm 67. have been on the job hunt for years. You talk about (Bias) it is a joke. I've been in the professional hospitality management for 32 years. Hotels, restaurants and country clubs

Need some advice and a job

Richard Kent of TX 4:10PM February 17, 2011

Hi, I'm from Romania, Europe. I'm 56 in the position of retirement from the Army. I was high officer in rank of colonel, military attache of my country abroad, a very appreciate politico-military annalist on Eastern Europe, Asia and Meddle East, especially on Terrorism and all-nature international traffic. I would accept a job firstly in this field if possible, or a connected one. The area is not very important. In the end, depends on how do you consider I could be useful for someone. With gratitude, Adrian

Stanislav Adrian 8:39AM January 09, 2011

Most older workers are looking for their final "home". They will commit to staying with your company for the duration of their work life while most younger workers will continue looking for the next best thing that comes along. If stability, maturity, dependability, knowledge, other experiences, persistence, perserverance, assumption of responsibility, understanding, people skills, a good attitude, desire for the job and trustworthiness are important attributes for any employee...then the older worker should be considered well ahead of most younger ones. Our country should be making use of all its talent; not just the "cheap" ones.

Bernie Palmatier of OH 7:18PM August 31, 2010

Add Your Thoughts
Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

Back to blog

Planning to Retire

Planning to Retire

Associate editor Emily Brandon tells you how to get ready financially for retirement and to make your golden years the best they can be.

advertisement

EASY RETIREMENT CALCULATOR

Our retirement readiness calculator will provide a rough idea of how long your retirement savings and income will last.


Latest Video

advertisement