no jobs for the nearly 60 crowd

[tuckett]

I was laid off 10 years ago, 2 weeks prior to my 50th birthday, from a science association. I opened a small retail business which i managed to run until 2010. When a combination of the economic downturn, high rents, and loss of customer base forced me to close. I have sent out hundreds of resumes, tailoring each one to the type of job being advertised. I have tried temp agencies, but get the brush off, i guess, because of age. I have updated my dress, my looks, my resume, and skills. The only job i can find is dog walking. In my prior life, i had a sterling resume. I held progressively responsible positions in university administration (finance, budgeting, contracts and grants). Along the way i could no longer afford my health insurance, i lost my home, and changed my son's schooling. I have had a 10 year run of really bad luck.I know i am not alone out there. I volunteer for my church and other organizations. I am doing everything I should be doing. Any suggestions or tips on how to help myself out of this rut.

[Anonymous]

Sorry to hear about what you are going through. Can you try retraining in another area that requires unique skills and has a lot of demand? Not sure but maybe there are tax credits for that.

[Anonymous]

I am so sorry to hear this, OP. Ageism is alive and well, unfortunately. Could you get work over the holidays, like in retail? Can you bartend? This is for the immediate needs. What are your skills?

[Anonymous]

Have you a head hunter (as opposed to a temp agency)?

[Anonymous]

What kind of a head-hunter do you suggest? I always thought they would charge a lot of $$. Which of course would be worthwhile if I were to land a job. However, I don't know where to begin and who to contact. But thank you for your response.

[Anonymous]

Do you know anyone in the energy industry? The geologists and scientists here are well paid.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried looking in the Middle east for jobs? They are lookign for experienced people in all kinds of industries. Perhaps Dubai or KSA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What kind of a head-hunter do you suggest? I always thought they would charge a lot of $$. Which of course would be worthwhile if I were to land a job. However, I don't know where to begin and who to contact. But thank you for your response.

Actually, the employer who hires you pays the headhunter. You wouldn't pay a thing.

Companies pay headhunters to do all of the vetting for them and match them to the right candidates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What kind of a head-hunter do you suggest? I always thought they would charge a lot of $$. Which of course would be worthwhile if I were to land a job. However, I don't know where to begin and who to contact. But thank you for your response.

Actually, the employer who hires you pays the headhunter. You wouldn't pay a thing.

Companies pay headhunters to do all of the vetting for them and match them to the right candidates.

But HH are usually used for companies willing to pay 30%? fees to find candidates. So these are candidates with skills and experience the companies are looking for and can't find or don't have the time or don't want to use their own resources to find them.

[Anonymous]

I'm 15:39.

Try this place: www.rpstaffing.com/
They do mainly administrative. But if they can't help you, they might know another headhunter that does more in the way of matching budgeting/finance/contract specialists.

I think they do a lot in the way of admin placement for associations. That might work for you given your range of experience.

Don't give up hope.

[Anonymous]

^^^ it is Ruthi Postow Staffing www.rpstaffing.com

[Anonymous]

15:39 here again

I'm not familiar with this place (I am with ruthi postow) but it's another place to contact: The Lucas Group
http://www.lucasgroup.com/executive-search/dc-hr-recruiting/

A lot of companies, nonprofits and associations in DC hire through recruiters. Do some googling for recruiters in DC and contact them. Usually they'll give you feedback on your resume, if nothing else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What kind of a head-hunter do you suggest? I always thought they would charge a lot of $$. Which of course would be worthwhile if I were to land a job. However, I don't know where to begin and who to contact. But thank you for your response.

Actually, the employer who hires you pays the headhunter. You wouldn't pay a thing.

Companies pay headhunters to do all of the vetting for them and match them to the right candidates.

But HH are usually used for companies willing to pay 30%? fees to find candidates. So these are candidates with skills and experience the companies are looking for and can't find or don't have the time or don't want to use their own resources to find them.

I once got an admin job at a not-for-profit association through a recruiter. A lot of nonprofits and associations find it easier to use a recruiter. They have small HR departments. So they don't have the resources to scour hundreds of resumes for the right candidates.

[Anonymous]

OP, how do potential employers know your age? I would craft your résumé to provide the most relevant work experience and skills, but you don't have to inventory the last 40 years of work experience. Remove graduation dates, etc.

[Anonymous]

OP, it may not just be your age but the fact that you have run your own business for so long. i am 20 years younger than you but in somewhat of the same boat (worked for 8 years, ran my own business for 5) and i can't get anyone to touch me. it is a bummer indeed. i think recruiters are the way to go.

hang in there!