The 10 Most Common Jobs for Older Workers

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Age is also a factor for discrimination issues with younger workers...so don't feel alone.
What I tell my older clients is to go through a "MakeOver-Workforce Edition". Just like the ABC TV program for Make-Over-Home-Edition.
Older Workers may have skills, experience and ability beyond what they need for any specific job. But also that package is tired and worn, it needs a new wrapper.
Think about selling an old car. It's been a good car; trustworthy, dependable, reliable, efficient etc. etc. But what are your chances of selling it if you don't put the polish to it and detail inside and out. Even if you are successful with a sale...what price are likely to get, high or low?
Also, because we older workers have so much to offer we tend to fire off both barrels at once. Not a good idea with younger employers.
Think about feeding a baby in a high-chair. Too much too fast and you have a problem to deal with. Certainly not the intended outcome. Now think about how much the employer knows about our skills, knowledge and abilities and how fast they know it. Too much too fast can have the same effect.
There are several success stories that have used similar concepts.
Try attending a JOB CLUB in your area. Job Clubs are often sponsored by ONE STOP Career Centers. You can find a list of ONE STOP CAREER CENTERS in your area at: www.careeronestop.com .
Best of Luck

Job Coach of AZ 1:36PM October 22, 2009

I returned to complete my college education when I was 47, jumped through all the hoopes to get my Bachelor's Degree in history and secondary education certification in social studies. After all, all I ever saw and read was that there was a teacher shortage. Who better to hire for a history position than someone who actually has a history? I graduated when I was 50, in 2002. I made the Dean's list twice, passed both the Praxis I and Praxis II the first time I took them. Well, I'm 57 now and still unemployed. I hate it when people say to me "why don't you substitute teach?" Would anyone say to someone, for example, who completed police officer training to look for a job as a security officer? Not that there's anything wrong with security officers. My point is I worked very hard earning that degree and certification at the same time. Ageism is one of those things that for most of us, we know it's there, but we can't prove it. But we know it's there. Employers are very careful not to show their ageism outright. I'm working on a book. I know the odds are not in my favor but at least with a book, it doesn't matter what age you are or what you look like, etc.

Eileen Moroni of NJ 11:27PM October 19, 2009

My sister who is in her 60's works in SF, Cal for an ethnic employment agency. Her clients are well educated and dress well and have a wealth of experience. She sends them out to potential employers and the employers call her back and say "Can't you send me someone Younger?" and she informs them that if they say that she could have them sued. So it doesn't matter how great your resume looks or how much education you have or how wonderful you are dressed or what a great personality you have....the only thing that counts is YOUTH.
Another trend is that when the employer gets rid of their older worker they will look to employment agencies because the employer doesn't have to pay the high cost of health insurance and he's not obligated to keep the employee. Only for as long as they may need the person so they don't have to worry about benefits for that person. It's really a cheap way to go. Often times i see they use the older worker to train the younger person and then they lay off the older person. or in the case of a brother in law they are hiring the younger worker for thousands of dollars more than him while he trains them also. I think that might be against the law or it should be.
Considering that older workers are more likely to stay with a job and have more experience I'd like to see a solution to this problem especially how the insurance companies charge so much more for older workers. Would the public option help this?

SJensen of OR 1:32PM October 19, 2009

My husband is 55 years old, has 35 years experience in electronics, plc programming and served our country for 20 years. He does look a little older than his 55 years. Not that he isn't healthy, but his genes.
As of September 5th he has been without work for 1 year and he's really starting to feel anxiety about himself. It seems no one wants to hire him, but rather they hire people that tend to leave after a couple months.
Age discrimination is RAMPANT in Idaho. And you are doublely screwed if you are not the most beautiful person physically. (hubby is not, ugly... just not gorgious)
It ticks me off that this whole thing has shaken his self confidence as it has.

soso of ID 6:40PM October 03, 2009

I think that most employers won't even consider an older worker now because health insurance is hundreds of dollars more than it is for a younger worker. Just look around say in an Office Depot say and see how many older people you can count working in a store. I know my x-boss Sorenson Photography after many years of working for him got rid of me and his older workers. He said He's rather have younger workers.

SJensen of OR 9:48PM September 20, 2009

I am 73 but look andfeel 63 I want to work in the caregiving field again, as i have for the last 10 years, but i think my age may stop me, should I lie and get a job? or just sit here and wait for death? I feel like this is what I am doing.

shirley of AZ 3:01PM June 07, 2009

I have always wanted towork on a wild animal reserve since I was small.Just like jane Goodall studing gorilla behavior. I know they are having trouble with poachers now.I cannot stand anyone being mean to an animal as the song says your walking on the fighting side of me.I love all kinds but bottle feeding and loving one is my calling My x husband and I had a cattle farm with black angus and I raised ambaby bull calf on a bottle which was the father to many a calf he produced.My mother always said I could tame a tiger.I raised a baby flying squirrel on a bottle.I have 8 cats now.I have had dogs over the years.I just want a job overseas saving the threatned wildlife..

Lenora Salewsky 9:35PM April 16, 2009

It would be wonderful if there were jobs (legimate) where you can work from home. Some excellent workers over fifty, are very
capable of working from home. There might be something physical
preventing them from going out to work on a daily basis.
Will you research this area. Thanks

Marion of IL 4:33AM April 09, 2009

Hi Will: If you want a job in retail walk into a store during their slow period and ask for the manager. When he/she appears ask if you can give them your resume and give them about a minute of talk on why you would be great working retail and especially at their store. It worked for my husband years ago and he wound up managing the store he approached. Good luck!

Linda of GA 3:56PM March 27, 2009

After thirty years in corportate positions and an excellent track record in management, I find myself "down-sized" due to the failing economy.
I'm sixty-two, in excellent health, my life savings have basically evaporated, etc. You all know the drill these days.
I, too, am looking for retail emloyment that requires little emotional commitment. I need to supplement my family's income a bit while I develop a new career writing short travel pieces and taking photographs.
How does one coming from a long career, actually convice a retail employer that accepting pay that's seventy-five percent less than what I made on my "last" job is okay with me? I've dumbed-down my resume as much as possible but nothing seems to work.

Will Hedrick of GA 10:48AM February 22, 2009