Searching for work over 60

Can you work for yourself?
I think some people are intimated by having to manage someone older and more experienced.

I don't know what your skills are but think you could at least explore this.
Good luck.

My impression is it’s your age, they know you will only be with them a short while and are probably paying less to younger people
That’s how my job went when I got to 68/9 they had a younger much cheaper alternative although they had previously told me they were happy for me to stay on as long as I was good and able at my job which I was
Sent me really down the rabbit hole for a little while

I can’t work for myself I am afraid and yes totally understand other comments made thank you.

I don’t know what I can do but keep trying! Someone else I met recently who is a year older than me did say they had been looking for work for six months and yet to receive an offer I am talking about a qualified nurse and teacher.

How is the government potentially thinking of upping retirement age and pensions when this is happening.

Good question Rainbow. I have a SIL mid 50s who is looking for work but is apparently over qualified.
Not sure if you are a teacher or nurse but could you get private work or try an agency?
Good luck

Is there something you love doing that you could convert into a job maybe? (I did see you can't do what you are skilled at if working for yourself).

Alternatively, could you work from home? There seem to be quite a few jobs that are working from home.
Not your ordinary skill set maybe.

I was made redundant in my 50s and did a postgraduate degree which sent me in a brand new direction.
Further study was so exciting!

Is there something new you'd like to learn (with a view to a job later mayb?

The other lame excuse they give is "not the kind of team player we're looking for". What the hell does that mean?

Maybe widen the scope of the jobs you apply for, if what you want is just a job of some kind? Type of job, hours you are prepared to work, salary you would accept.

Age is a big factor in particular kinds of jobs, there is no doubt.

Hope you find something soon- keep trying, the jobs you went for weren't meant for you.

One of my friends is 59 and having lost two jobs can't get another -except for temping work.
As for me,I'm always being asked to help or volunteer.
An art teacher has repeatedly contacted me as she appreciates my help in her class .
She is not the first one.
But I'd like to be paid for my services !
Last time,I took the bull by the horns and asked for a salary .
I haven't heard from her for months .

I am now applying for anything. I have applied for 50 jobs in the last month. Only a couple of companies have responded. I have lots of transferable skills and not afraid of hard work. I am also looking for temporary work signing onto agencies as we speak.

It does knock oneself confidence and is making me feel redundant.

Thank you for all your responses 💐

I have two friends who lost their job during COVID. One can’t get a job, even though she is qualified up to the hilt. The other friend is now ill but wants a part time job of any kind, but at 63, both deemed too old.
Good luck with your job search

Personally, I’d be tempted to apply for seasonal work……..superstores are recruiting now. I appreciate that this might not be your ‘ideal’ but it is a step on the employment ladder, might lead to a further opening within a company and at least you’ll have some income.

Garden Centres also look for seasonal staff.

If you are qualified and in other circumstances good for the role, then it is definitely your age. Many employers no longer appreciate the years of experience you can bring to a position. You'll just have to keep trying.

Thank you for your comments. Experience is definitely overlooked nowadays.

I took redundancy at 63 and just wanted something to tide me over to state pension age. 18 hours a week on checkouts at Waitrose was perfect, staff discount after three months too! Probably the best of the supermarkets to work for.

It is the experience of many people I know, and was mine too, that if you look for a new job after the age of 50, never mind 63, you may be called for an interview, but you don't get the job.

Before applying, find out how old your boss or immediate supervisor is. In my experience few people of thirty or forty want to have a person of their parents' age group working for them. Subconciously, I think they fear it will be difficult to criticise if or when this becomes necessary.

It is also well to look at the average age of the staff employed. These days hiring people is not just a matter of their qualifications - bosses are concerned that the new person "will fit in well". Being older than most of the others is not attractive.

It is at any age more difficult to get a new job if you are currently unemployed, than if you apply before leaving a job.

The rationale? The unemployed are probably unemployed because they are unsatisfactory, not because there is a shortage of jobs.

It might help your prospects if you have some voluntary work of much the same kind as you wish to do for a salary, as this points to your being employable.

Keep on trying and try not to let the refusals get you down.

Good luck.

Would sign up with an agency to work in schools as a TA that kind of work is in demand ?

I have worked in Care for over 20 years,I’m 72 now but still work part-time ,only 18 hours a week but I really enjoy it and it tops up my meagre state pension…

Waiting to hear back from agencies regarding temporary TA work. I am thinking are companies getting seniors in for interviews just to tick their boxes for diversity. I have more interviews lined up but my confidence is feeling a bit low as I cannot improve my performance in relation to interview technique.

Ageism is real sadly.

It is very disheartening. As a lifelong nurse who returned from retirement during COVID; i just had to , and managed an extra few years I find I am only now offered corridor shifts in A&E at night. Not what i want or am comfortable doing. Outside nursing I have unsuccessfully applied for 50+ jobs. Retail, schools, catering. No one is interested unless I take a minimal hours contract (aprox10) and commit to any overtime they require. As a registered carer for my husband I cant commit to this. I have another 3 years till I receive my state pension and am using savings to supplement my income. Never mind the long term sick who could work some hours but aren’t facilitated. There are cohorts of people who can and want to work who are refused at every hurdle. I do appreciate the issues with employers wanting the best for them. Surely there needs to be some government initiative.

I went for temping. Once IN work, I got multiple offers.