Good jobs for the over 55's

Arkady · 03-03-2016 03:00AM #1

A family member, who has their kids reared and through college and no debts, is looking to downsize to a less stressful and less hassle job they can do full time at first, and then perhaps as the years move on, part time until their late 60's and even beyond if their health holds up. They are the type that would like to keep working, at least part time, as long as possible.

Has anyone any experience of this, or seen their family members do it successfully, and any good recommendation for jobs that might not spring to mind immediately ?

Zipppy · 03-03-2016 10:38AM

Public service

Arkady · 03-03-2016 12:14PM

If your serious, specifically, what type of jobs and where. If you're not, might be better not to waste your time and mine.

Mrs OBumble · 03-03-2016 02:04PM

What skills and experiences does this person have? This will largely determine what else they're suitable for doing.

Why can't they simply down-grade jobs in their current industry?

Arkady · 03-03-2016 02:12PM

They feel like a change and why shouldn't they if they do ? They're very capable at anything they do really, they just want more time for themselves and their leisure / family, hence the planned downshift. They're not fussy as to what work it might be, they get pleasure from doing whatever they do well. Some jobs / industries just prefer young employees, and the person has no issue with that. So now we've dealt with that, have you any helpful constructive suggestions ? Have you any experience of this yourself, or seen other older people do it successfully and what track did they take ?

Speedwell · 03-03-2016 02:41PM

"Capable at anything they do" is a lovely compliment, but it does not explain why they are better than the rest of the pack when it comes to being hired for a certain job. When I get jobs, it's based on what I have done, not on what I could do. What work experience do they have? What activities have taught them what skills? What do they like doing and are good at? What compliments do they tend to hear the most about themselves? What sort of people do they like to be around? What would they NOT like doing?

54and56 · 03-03-2016 02:50PM

Arkady wrote: »

They're very capable at anything they do really, they just want more time for themselves and their leisure / family, hence the planned downshift. They're not fussy as to what work it might be, they get pleasure from doing whatever they do well.

Arkady, if you list out the skills and experience these people have along with any other interests or hobbies they enjoy it would be easier for people to try and match opportunities to your relatives capabilities.

seamus · 03-03-2016 02:53PM

Without knowing any details, supermarket work is very popular with the older generation of women who have their kids raised into teenage years and don't want to spend their days pottering about the house. It's a very social environment, minimal stress, pay is usually better than minimum wage. Doesn't require any specific skills.

Arkady · 03-03-2016 02:59PM

I think people are getting off track here. It's not a new career they are looking for, it's a job to downsize to, when they are finished with their current career.

This person is an all rounder, and can work in anywhere from Dunnes, to McDonalds, to Taxi Driving to Van Driving, to Petrol attendant, Coffee shops etc. etc. etc. It doesn't matter to them, and they would be excellent at any of those jobs and more. They are the fit and healthy type, that God willing will be able to work well into their 70's and they want to.

What they are wondering is e.g. McDonalds, or Dunnes to take purely arbitrary examples (there may be better ones), you don't see many older people working in there, so that might not be the best of choice for them, and that is probably for a reason, so they would rather work where older people are more common, so they can continue this work, even part time, for as long as they are healthy.

Some people out there may have experience of what has worked well for themselves or older relatives and that is all that is being asked here.

(e.g. It might not have caught on here yet, where the single career and job for life mentality still survives in some areas, but In America, it's extremely common for older people, who have retired from a career, to be working in such jobs. Not so much here yet, but it will be. The day of decent pension for most workers is over. When my relative was in America recently they got talking to people their age that had downsized to all sorts of things in their retirement, e.g. from Laywer to bus driver, from Dentist to Coffee shop worker, and they thought that was a very healthy approach to retirement.)

Ireland is not exactly America, hence the question of what jobs might suit here, until the culture eventually shifts or may not.

Speedwell · 03-03-2016 03:01PM

Arkady wrote: »

(e.g. It might not have caught on here yet, where the single career and job for life mentality still survives in some areas, but In America, it's extremely common for older people, who have retired from a career, to be working in such jobs. Not so much here yet, but it will be. The day of decent pension for most workers is over. When my relative was in America recently they got talking to people their age that had downsized to all sorts of things in their retirement, e.g. from Laywer to bus driver, from Dentist to Coffee shop worker, and they thought that was a very healthy approach to retirement.)

Ireland is not exactly America, hence the question of what jobs might suit here, until the culture eventually shifts or may not.

Um, I'm an American. Even in America, older people looking for jobs don't have such jobs handed to them. They have to compete based on their skills and experience. Whether in America or here, I would not hire someone... I would not hire anyone... based on their claim of, "oh, I worked all my life in much higher paying and difficult jobs, so this job is a doddle for me". I wouldn't even call the arrogant SOB back.

Arkady · 03-03-2016 03:06PM

Speedwell wrote: »

Um, I'm an American. Even in America, older people looking for jobs don't have such jobs handed to them. They have to compete based on their skills and experience.

No one said a job should be 'handed to them'. Not all jobs require specific previous experience. If you can't seem to accept that this person has the ability skills to do any of these jobs, the same way anyone starting in any of these jobs has, trust me they have. The only difference is their age.

Speedwell · 03-03-2016 03:10PM

Arkady wrote: »

No one said a job should be 'handed to them'. Not all jobs require specific previous experience. If you can't seem to accept that this person has the ability skills to do any of these jobs, the same way anyone starting in any of these jobs has, trust me they have. The only difference is their age.

I can't and don't accept that this person has the ability and skills to do "any of these jobs". Any of "these" (unspecified) jobs? Seriously? As an employer all I care about is their ability and skills to do the specific job I'm hiring for, relative to the ability and skills of the other applicants. As someone in international IT and engineering who has had the unenviable task of training senior engineers to do tasks they consider beneath their dignity because they "know better" or because "it's not the way we've always done it" or "the juniors just don't know what they're talking about" or "I won't take orders from that younger person", I would think hard before employing an older person even based on their work record, especially for a demanding, customer-contact, variable-hours, must-take-orders type of part-time job. It would depend on their temperament and inclination as well as their (possibly obsolete) skills. I'm no spring chicken myself, but I would never expect to be given a job I wasn't experienced in over a younger person who had actually demonstrated success in that particular job before.

Kristopherus · 03-03-2016 03:11PM

Arkady wrote: »

No one said a job should be 'handed to them'. Not all jobs require specific previous experience. If you can't seem to accept that this person has the ability skills to do any of these jobs, the same way anyone starting in any of these jobs has, trust me they have. The only difference is their age.

Is it yourself you are posting about? Because to me the 55yr old is coming across as the greatest thing since fried bread

.

Mrs OBumble · 03-03-2016 03:15PM

Arkady wrote: »

This person is an all rounder, and can work in anywhere from Dunnes, to McDonalds, to Taxi Driving to Van Driving, to Petrol attendant, Coffee shops etc. etc. etc.

What they are wondering is e.g. McDonalds, or Dunnes to take purely arbitrary examples (there may be better ones), you don't see many older people working in there,

Some McDonalds do take older people. When I was working there the joke was that you came to our store to see your niece at work, and one in a smaller city about an hour away to see your grannie.

That said - you say that the person "can work anywhere", and list a range of entry-level jobs. But Does the person actually have skills and experience in customer service? Do they have a taxi license? Van license? HACCP certification (it's food-hazard identification, needed for some deli and cafe work)? Etc. Or are you just assuming (incorrectly) that of course they could handle the work because they've got a fair bit of cop-on?

If they've never done any of those jobs before, and cannot demonstrate transferable skills from what they've done before, then they will have a hard time convincing an employer to take them on.

One option that you've not listed is home-care work for elderly / disabled people. For this to be an option, your relative would need to be of a caring disposition, be able to be get garda vetting, and they would need to do and pass some FETAC (whatever it's called now - QQI???) courses. Can be very flexible work, usually not full time at first (you have to prove yourself) - but is emotionally harder than it looks.

If you tell us what skills the person has and in what industry, we can perhaps suggest some step-down type roles in those areas. Your call if you don't want to do that - but we cannot be very helpful without more knowledge.

Arkady · 03-03-2016 03:16PM

Kristopherus wrote: »

Is it yourself you are posting about? Because to me the 55yr old is coming across as the greatest thing since fried bread.

No, but they have been very good to me. Any other problems ?

The Diddakoi · 03-03-2016 03:16PM

Arkady wrote: »

If you can't seem to accept that this person has the ability skills to do any of these jobs, the same way anyone starting in any of these jobs has, trust me they have. The only difference is their age.

The thing is the average employer will not just "accept that this person has the ability skills to do any of these jobs".

These days you need proof.

I worked as a carer for 20 years, than decided to go back to work. (I am nearly 50). I am just finishing my second year of full-time college doing a business degree with advanced IT, as although I have never been out of work, I still need up-to-date qualifications to get a job.

Arkady · 03-03-2016 03:17PM

Speedwell wrote: »

I can't and don't accept that this person has the ability and skills to do "any of these jobs".

Well lets say they do (as they do) and then perhaps move the thread on in a more positive and productive direction.

Speedwell · 03-03-2016 03:18PM

Arkady wrote: »

Well lets say they do (as they do) and then perhaps move the thread on in a more positive and productive direction.

Nope, you can't just claim that, as others have stated besides me.

Arkady · 03-03-2016 03:20PM

alf66 wrote: »

The thing is the average employer will not just "accept that this person has the ability skills to do any of these jobs".

Again, I didn't say that an employer has to. The applicant is well used to the job application process and securing employment and what it takes, and they will do that. They are looking for suggestions as to what jobs to target for older people, that they sucessfully continue into older age.

Can we move it past this argument please ?

alf66 wrote: »

I worked as a carer for 20 years, than decided to go back to work. (I am nearly 50). I am just finishing my second year of full-time college doing a business degree with advanced IT, as although I have never been out of work, I still need up-to-date qualifications to get a job.

Good for you, but this person already has two degrees, and been there and done that, and is not looking for a job where a degree is required. They are downsizing, not moving up.

The Diddakoi · 03-03-2016 03:22PM

Arkady wrote: »

Again, I didn't say that an employer has to. The applicant is well used to the job application process and securing employment and what it takes, and they will do that.

Can we move it past this argument please ?

Good for you, but this person already has two degrees, and been there and done that, and is not looking for a job where a degree is required. They are downsizing, not moving up.

Well, as long as they don't have your attitude problem I'm sure they will be fine

Good Luck

benjamin d · 03-03-2016 03:23PM

OP you're being very aggressive to all posters here - bizarrely so. Why not answer the questions you've been asked about this person's relevant experience so that someone can help you out, rather than jumping down the throat of every commenter.

anothernight · 03-03-2016 03:25PM

OP, it's very difficult to offer suggestions without knowing anything about the experience and skills of this person. All you've given is their age!

What qualifications do they have? Do they like working with people? Would they prefer something based at home? Have they ever held a customer-facing position? Do they have a full drivers licence? etc etc etc.

Jellybaby1 · 03-03-2016 03:31PM

Arkady wrote: »

.......(e.g. It might not have caught on here yet, where the single career and job for life mentality still survives in some areas, but In America, it's extremely common for older people, who have retired from a career, to be working in such jobs. Not so much here yet, but it will be. The day of decent pension for most workers is over. When my relative was in America recently they got talking to people their age that had downsized to all sorts of things in their retirement, e.g. from Laywer to bus driver, from Dentist to Coffee shop worker, and they thought that was a very healthy approach to retirement.)...

A Lawyer will have made his money by the time he is in his 50's. So I think he/she could consider voluntary work instead. Bus drivers although you might not think they are highly skilled, need a lot of patience and focus to do such a monotonous job all day, but they are paid very well compared to basic rates. I am in my 60's now. I became redundant some years ago when the recession hit. I found it impossible then in my 50's to get any kind of job at all. I got maybe no more than half a dozen interviews in the first three years. I had been working as a secretary, but interviewers would say things like 'you are just what we need' and then I wouldn't hear from them again, or 'you are over-qualified for the job' which is just another excuse to get rid of me, and another comment was 'you live too far away' - that was a north side city company and I live on the south side. Then another interview was rather telling when I was ushered into the interview the face of the interviewer just dropped when he saw me, he was obviously not expecting someone my age and I could see him searching my CV for my d.o.b. as I sat down. He couldn't wait to end the interview. All I eventually got was a two month temporary assignment. I am still technically unemployed. I would still love to be working in a poorly paid secretarial role. If you ever find out how someone over 50 can get any kind of job would you please let us all know over in the 'Oulwans and 'Oulfellas Forum. That's where I usually hang out. Besides all of this, I was told that older people should not be taking menial jobs away from young people who are trying to get on the first rung of the ladder in a very difficult job market. I hope things have improved by now but its too late for me. I wish you luck and hope you get positive news soon.

Merrion · 03-03-2016 03:38PM

Freelance [thing they already do] an option?

If they have good written communication skills then technical writer/copywriter are options that can be done flexibly and from home.

Saint Sonner · 03-03-2016 03:45PM

:rolleyes: Luas Driver if you get stick the incredibly unfair wages!!!

bullpost · 03-03-2016 03:52PM

One option is to look at opportunities to re-use skills in the charity sector - e.g. Good IT or sales or marketing skills . Pay would be less but so would stress.

ESRI are looking for people frequently to do surveys.

Another option is to join a barter group - swap your skills for things you need.

Carers - Companies like HomeInstead are always looking for people.

Taxi driver - always an option. work the hours that suit you.

Caretaker in schools - Guy who does it at my sons school took early retirement from Insurance Industry. Loves his job now.

Buy a small business with pension/savings - Know a former accountant who bought a newspaper distribution business

Tourguide

mdwexford · 03-03-2016 04:06PM

benjamin d wrote: »

OP you're being very aggressive to all posters here - bizarrely so. Why not answer the questions you've been asked about this person's relevant experience so that someone can help you out, rather than jumping down the throat of every commenter.

This.

Relax OP, you aren't coming across well here considering people are trying to help.

Zipppy · 03-03-2016 06:31PM

Ridiculous thread and OP being aggressive and obnoxious to posters....admin should close her down....

03-03-2016 06:48PM

Is the person looking to retire early and then move in another direction and continue working past retiring age? Not many places would keep employees past retirement age.

As an older person, who due to redundancy, had to change direction drastically, it's bloody hard to get a job, any job! Jobs that require stamina or the necessity to stand for hours on end do not suit those of us over a certain age!

Good Luck to your friend.

Arkady · 03-03-2016 08:34PM

Ok, let's leave me and my relative out of this, as some people can't seem to handle the fact that they, just like many other people, might be perfectly capable and able to obtain whatever is required to obtain an entry level job, exactly the same as anyone else who enters an entry level job has to. Just as they already have done with the other jobs in their life. If someone in their twenties came on here looking for the same advice, they wouldn't be told it's not possible for them to get any entry level job, and they are not capable of obtaining what is required for that job. It's not that long ago we were all told that people should be working productively for as long as possible instead of retiring early. I really wasn't expecting this level of hostility and ageism to a simple question for suggestions. Do you all think you're going to permanently retire at 55 and never do different jobs in your lives ? Or stay in the exact same job and sector to the proposed pension age of 68 ? Not everyone does, or will.

For anyone that's actually interested in the actual OP, assuming any older person, who is downsizing their career, obtains the necessary entry level qualifications and criteria for that particular job, what would be suitable jobs for someone age 55-75, where their age will not be seen as generally undesirable ?

03-03-2016 08:44PM

Arkady wrote: »

Ok, let's leave me and my relative out of this, as some people can't seem to handle the fact that they, just like many other people, might be perfectly capable and able to obtain whatever is required to obtain an entry level job, exactly the same as anyone else who enters an entry level job has to. Just as they already have done with the other jobs in their life. If someone in their twenties came on here looking for the same advice, they wouldn't be told it's not possible for them to get any entry level job, and they are not capable of obtaining what is required for that job. It's not that long ago we were all told that people should be working productively for as long as possible instead of retiring early. I really wasn't expecting this level of hostility and ageism to a simple question for suggestions. Do you all think you're going to permanently retire at 55 and never do different jobs in your lives ? Or stay in the exact same job and sector to the proposed pension age of 68 ? Not everyone does, or will.

For anyone that's actually interested in the actual OP, assuming any older person, who is downsizing their career, obtains the necessary entry level qualifications and criteria for that particular job, what would be suitable jobs for someone age 55-75, where their age will not be seen as generally undesirable ?

From personal experience, general office work in a smallish private sector business, where duties include everything from answering the phones to basic accounts! Something with a bit of variety and responsibility, to stave off boredom, though I would not work past 68 years of age in order to free up the position for someone else.

Good jobs for the over 55's

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