I've tried to get a new job for 7 years

[Anonymous]

My job only pays half of what I used to make. I've tried many times to get another one and simply can't. I'm 58 so I'm afraid my chances of landing a new job are behind me.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry. Hugs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My job only pays half of what I used to make. I've tried many times to get another one and simply can't. I'm 58 so I'm afraid my chances of landing a new job are behind me.

do you look 58?

what happened that you're only earning half what you used to make?

how senior is the job?

what industry is this?

all of these question matter in helping to determine what might be going on.

[Anonymous]

Leasing?

[Anonymous]

I'm 51 and this is starting to happen to me and my college classmates. We're lawyers and engineers who were doing all right (low six figure incomes) but made the mistake of getting old during a recession/labor glut. I'm trying to hang onto my house on less than half of my old income.

Age 50 is a big wall in the labor market. I have talked to HR people I know and they admit (off the record, of course) that once a 50 year old is unemployed for a couple months, they quickly drop to the bottom of the list, even if they say they are willing to take less money.

Good luck and do what you have to do. You may never get back to the life that you thought you were going to have but the clock is ticking on enjoying the life that you have now!

[Anonymous]

I can see this happening to me. I'm getting ready for it by paying off my house-biggest expense.

[Anonymous]

Do you have skills that would translate well into opening your own consulting service? You could start out slowly, evenings and weekends, while keeping your current job with the hope of either keeping it as a side business for extra money or growing it into a full time gig. I'm currently doing this myself and it's very slow going at times but I believe having a side job will also benefit me as a mental distraction during retirement. My grandfather and father both had "hobby" jobs that they kept up into their 80s and it was good for their general well-being.

[Anonymous]

It's OP again. My job was in lobbying for a large trade association. They cut all of the lobbying jobs. I used to be fairly well known. Now, I have a crappy job at a local university. It's humbling to have gone from being on top of the world to be treated rather poorly. I do have a side business pp that provides some additional income. I keep trying. I don't look 58 (to an earlier poster). Most people think I am mid-late 40s because I still act young and have a college-aged daughter who keeps my ideas young. Thanks to all who provided ideas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's OP again. My job was in lobbying for a large trade association. They cut all of the lobbying jobs. I used to be fairly well known. Now, I have a crappy job at a local university. It's humbling to have gone from being on top of the world to be treated rather poorly. I do have a side business pp that provides some additional income. I keep trying. I don't look 58 (to an earlier poster). Most people think I am mid-late 40s because I still act young and have a college-aged daughter who keeps my ideas young. Thanks to all who provided ideas.

This is the PP who asked if you looked 58. You haven't yet explained how you became under employed. what happened along the way?

DH is 55, doesnt look it or act it - just like you. He landed a top job in his career field 2 yrs ago...it took him a year of looking but don't give up. its all about networking and yes, who you know.