Hi Bear--what type of job are you looking for--

I suppose this question hinges on (a) how fit you are and (b) how desperate you are.. I know of people who do "walking" jobs - delivering local newspapers, junk mail etc. I also know a couple of older people who are employed by "secret shopper" organisations. The money is not great and at least for the walking jobs hardly compensates for the physical effort involved. I also know of one or two who scratch out some pocket money from party plan -Avon, Tupperware etc.

There is money out there if you really, really need it.

[size=4]Hi PlanB, thanks for your interest.



I am a qualified medical typist with medical terminology my speciality. Also have fantastic computer and administrative skills over my lifetime. So to answer your question, any type of clerical job, which sounds so simple doesn't it? I am on Disability so it would have to be less than 15 hours per week.



I have never been unemployed in my 50 or so years (apart from raising my three children where I fell off the top of the career ladder , but it was the most rewarding job I have ever had, unfortunately doesn't pay anything!).



I have been pro-active in my job search and have applied so far for about 30 positions over 2 years. I have also cold-called and posted flyers out to local medicos, etc.



I have chronic fatigue, depression and a thyroid condition but I solider on in a positive way and aim for a realistic goal. Sounds so simple doesn't it? Anyway, thanks Plan B, for taking an interest. Cheers.[/size][color=purple][/color]

WITHOUT PREJUDICE.

Hi HOWMUCHCANAKOALABEAR I don't know whether you would be game enough to try, but, if so, here is a tip.

You are, obviously, well qualified, so, next job you apply for, state your age as 39 or 40 & adjust CV to suit. When you turn up for the interview, & the obvious comment, is made, you just say that you had made a typo error, SORRY. They will have to interview you, then, if you miss out, go straight to a local Court House & commence legal action, with Legal Aid, under the Aged Discrimination Act There is a good chance that the good Doctor will settle out of court & you wont need the job.

Best of luck.

Its tough isn't it Bear when you have so much to offer and are still quite young as well, I know I would rather employ a person of your age than a lot of these young with no people experience

HI BEAR

DO YOU LIKE THE COMPANY OF CHILDREN? THERE ARE MANY JOBS OUT THERE FOR CHILD CARE ASSISTANTS FOR RELIEF DUTIES

Sometimes, you just have to lower your expectations. Take a job that is far below your skill level. I know I've worked for $5 per hour, when my usual pay was $25 per hour. In my town, we have quite a lot of young people, some of whom have science degrees, who work as waitresses. Just depends on you.

Just have to correct you, innes - these days you do not ever, ever, include your age on a cv. It is no longer done and it is illegal for an employer to ask your age. They can make an informed guess from the amount of experience you have had, that's all.

In Brisbane, waitressing - (although it is no longer called that) is mostly taken up by either students or those who have done a hospitality course, so if you are over 50 with no waiting experience I do not like your chances - no, it doesn't depend on you, it depends on the employer and how much glut of youthful applicants there is. Oh, and it does require you to be physically fit!

There are agencies who specialise in placing people with medical/clerical experience and you might find something that way.

If you wanted to do childcare you would have to do the course.

[size=3][/size][color=purple][/color]Hi MissJacinta, thanks for your input on my subject, you are indeed spot on!! I have found that 1. I cannot waitress and 2. childcare positions, even assistants, need qualifications which I do not have.



The closest medical staffing agency to me is in Brisbane and about 1 and a half hours away from me. I used to do temp work with this agency many years ago but had to live in a motel room for 3 weeks at a time just to be able to be on time for the work each day. Those days are gone now, I don't have the finances or energy to do it.



I continue to do daily job searches on the computer and in local newspapers. One day "my ship will come in", if nothing else, it is teaching me patience and accepting what is, not what I would like life to be, sometimes despite all our best efforts there is a bigger plan we don't see at the time.



Thanks again MissJacinta for your input. Take care. Cheers.

Indeed, KB. It is a hard old world out there at the moment. My local Woolworths have dropped staff like the proverbial ninepins.

I will soon be in the same position as you, as my Dad, for whom I have been carer for several years, is now going into an aged care home. So I will be expected to look for work and do volunteer work in the interim. Most of my friends who are currently employed, are worried about keeping their jobs - a few have been laid off already. The part-time jobs or indeed any kind of jobs that used to be plentiful are not any longer, and anyone who thinks otherwise is living in dreamland.

We can only keep plugging on and hope for the best. Cheers to you too!

I just wanted to say - keep looking. I have been lucky in obtaining a part-time position in a medical clinic. Ten years ago I left my then job(in another field) after 16 years. I was told I would never get another position because of my age and not being computer literate tho' I used a computer in that job. After 8 months of being home I realised I had to get back out there to meet people and keep the brain active.

Wanted to return to medical but, of course, experience was necessary. Then I saw an ad with no experience needed - willing to train. I was offered that position at 53 for 10 hrs/wk and to fill in when needed. Just perfect for me.

Unfortunately the medical centre closed after I had been there just on 8 years and I was offered another position close by. Then my own medical centre contacted me and offered me 9 hrs/week and fill-in when needed.

I was offered both positions because I knew the computer programmes used. I felt awful declining that first position but where I am now is only 5 minutes from home and just fits the bill in every way.

I am now 62 and have been there for just on 2 years and will stay until they throw me out because I am too old to do the job.!!!!!

I certainly don't work for the money ($20/hr) with so few hours but it is the social contact and keeping the brain working. Plus I love the work involved.

So hang in there - keep looking - you never know what is around the corner.

Good luck.

Hiya Travelling woman. I am off to work now and have more jobs lined up than I myself can manage and have put a few in the right direction for work.



There will always be those people who just want to sit on their bums all day and grizzle.

I cannot believe people do not make great use of the NewStart money as what a godsend that is, and some get "A Widows Allowance" which is also a lucky break for those cannot work but I do wonder why some women never get a job but just have the defeatist attitude they will not be accepted. Maybe a Make-Over would help them as the same old hairstyle and extra weight can age a person fast and looking dowdy is one of the main reasons older woman cannot find work along with their attitudes.

Good for you as it is always great to see women able to help themselves.



The work is out there just have to be on the alert and keep trying. Not much point some being on the computer all day crying. "Poor Me" I need more money given to me because I cannot find work. The work IS there.

[size=3][/size][color=purple][/color]Hi Korry, sounds like you may need a make-over too!! (of your attitude). I keep myself perfectly groomed and certainly don't grizzle. Sweeping generalisations don't help anyone darling. You keep enjoying your work, all the best to you.

Korry - would really love to hear about your work, and what you do - it would give us some pointers maybe. I know there are temp jobs for good typists - I can use a computer obviously but due to a physical problem cannot touch type really fast which they all seem to want these days.

I, too, am very well groomed and maintained.

My limitations are - I do not drive or own a car; while there is public transport available it is not very efficient and it can take me 90 minutes to get to a destination that would take 20 minutes by car - and no, I can't afford a car.

I want to work during the daytime as it is unsafe to travel on public transport at night or walk home in the dark.

I can't do heavy work any more, as I have osteoarthritis in my spine, hip and knee, resulting from lots of heavy work over the years. I can't sit at the computer for more than two hours at a stretch.

I hear people say that the work is there if you want it, but they won't say what work - I would really love to hear what others are doing.

So, Korry, tell us what you do. It would really help some of us who are scratching our heads.