<p>I’ve hired someone 60 Plus for a key management position. He did a great job. I’d do it again without hesitation. You don’t say what your field is - but if you are going to look for a new position - make sure your computer skills are up to speed. As everyone knows - this is the biggest disconnect right now in almost any industry. Take some classes, seminars - etc. You can’t be behind this curve in any field.</p>
<p>VeryHappy, I just realized how loopy my post sounded with its reference to grey hair - for the record, I actually LIKE grey hair and find it very attractive on both men and women. What I meant to convey, Epiphany covers flawlessly - in our situation, we needed someone who has the self confidence to execute, and who does not have to look to us to create their body of work. We wanted someone who stone cold knows what they are doing. </p>
<p>I think we also would have made the decision the same way if we felt we had the flexibility to experiment. It was just too valuable to have the experience. And, the person doesn’t know our systems, but, he will be able to figure them out (we expect him to educate himself here, we don’t have time to mentor him); we aren’t worried. </p>
<p>Oh, and the position is marketing, so, it’s not like we needed a CPA or something…</p>
<p>Yay, I’m valuable! I’m experienced! I’m confident! </p>
<p>Now I just need to be employed!! </p>
<p>Thank you all. Get the advice coming. Please.</p>
<p>Again, not knowing your field of expertise, it’s hard to guess. But my firm (construction project management and move management) has hired 5 (field office size of 20+/-) in the past six months, and three of us are mid-to-late fifties. So I believe that the opportunities are out there. At least in Connecticut.</p>
<p>And you sure don’t look 60. Good luck whatever you decide to do!</p>
<p>“I’m valuable!”</p>
<p>^Nope. You’re <em>invaluable.</em> (Remember?) ;)</p>
<p>How deep are your roots in NYC, and how do you feel about Atlanta? Do you sacrifice any pension dollars or great benefits if you say goodbye to the current job?</p>
<p>VeryHappy
Consider how much more your NY salary (I assume you stay at the same salary level?) will get you in Atlanta. The difference in real estate costs/tax costs alone will make you do a happy dance.Might be worth it to bank some money for the next few years.
Just as an example, my grad student D lives quite nicely on a Teaching Assistanceship in the midwest.In NY she’d need a roommate, a p/t job or student loans to live the same way.</p>
<p>VeryHappy, I agree with others who say that it depends a lot on what field you’re in. In so-called hip areas like advertising or media or marketing it may be harder. But one thing in your favor is that because of the churn in the job market these days, there are plenty of 50- and 60-year-olds looking for jobs, and getting them. The downside is that we have to compete with people much younger than we are, and in many cases they have “enough” experience, say 10 to 15 years, and maybe their skills are more cutting-edge than ours. So I would say that if you’re networking well, and you’re realistic regarding salary (translation: you’ll take a cut in pay if necessary), you should be fine. Be creative, and try to think outside the box. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Starting in your upper 50s, it gets very hard to find a job. Many in that age bracket give up or find jobs of lower pay.
My father got laid off at age 59. He did find a full time job 2 years later and that is the average length of time for people in their upper 50s to low 60s take to find a full-time job. Its salary was about half of what he was previously making. When he was looking for jobs, he got the over-qualified line many times.
You have to think of what will happen in the very likely event you can’t find a job. Private health insurance is almost unaffordable at that age. Do you have enough money to retire?</p>
<p>I do not have enough money to retire in the style in which I’m currently living.</p>
<p>And for all of you who have wondered, I’m an Employee Benefits Director. Medical, Dental, 401(k), that sort of thing. Technical and financial and involved with communications. Fun area.</p>
<p>DH and I are going down to visit and tour with a real estate lady on Friday August 8.</p>
<p>As of today, I want to move.</p>
<p>Seems to me that with that job, experience would be valued, because you could potentially save the company a lot of money. Also, I’ve never been to Atlanta, but I watch HGTV often, and I bet you can get a whole lot of house there for a lot less money!</p>
<p>From Boston Globe: [Job</a> market wasted on the young - The Boston Globe](<a href=“http://www.boston.com/jobs/news/articles/2008/07/27/job_market_wasted_on_the_young/]Job”>http://www.boston.com/jobs/news/articles/2008/07/27/job_market_wasted_on_the_young/)</p>
<p>If you can relocate and stay in a job you enjoy, I would go for it. </p>
<p>Maybe rent something in Atlanta for a few years and then look for a place elsewhere when you’re ready to retire.</p>
<p>The hardest part will be uprooting and moving to a new city.</p>
<p>Several possible benefits, though, are that cost of living will be much cheaper in Atlanta; you can save more for retirement; perhaps it’s only for a few years. You don’t want to be out of a job for very long given current economic conditions and your near-retirement age…it could be a dream-killer.</p>
<p>That being said, if you can line up a new job with similar pay and benefits before you need to give notice to your company, that would be great.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.</p>
<p>Yes, that would be great, wouldn’t it? I’m supposed to let them know by August 15 if we’re moving or not. Sure, I can take a week or so longer. But unless something significant happens – like, we can’t sell our house – I wouldn’t want to tell them we’re coming and then renege. </p>
<p>As of today, I want to do it. Not to go would be financial suicide. I would probably be out of work for a while – three months? Six months? A year? Going would mean we can sell our current house (God willing) at a much higher price than we’d buy something for, and Yes, we’d hopefully be able to save some big bucks while we’re there. </p>
<p>Then, we’d retire to easy street. :)</p>
<p>Must convince DH.</p>
<p>VeryHappy: My favorite cousin and family moved to Atlanta from Montclair, NJ and job in NYC, wife’s that is. He was Mr. Mom. They moved to Decatur, somewhat hippie-ish and love it there. Oh, and he got a job in advertising at 56 after being out of the workforce for years. So, they maybe other fabulous opportunities in Atlanta. His wife, also in advertising, moved to Atlanta even though she was quite employed in NY because she said there was a glass ceiling in NY for women which she didn’t find in Atlanta.</p>
<p>The great thing is your S’s are done with HS.</p>
<p>I wish you all the best, however it plays out, and there is certainly a wonderful CC Atlanta contingent.</p>
<p>Thanks, MythMom.</p>
<p>I’ve started applying to some things around the NY area. Assuming I don’t get anything by 8/15, I will announce that I’m relocating. I don’t have to relo until the end of January/beginning of February.</p>
<p>But if I get a job in the meantime, we’re not going. And if we can’t sell our house in CT, we’re not going.</p>
<p>It’s hard to plan along two routes at the same time – find a new job versus move to Atlanta – but there it is.</p>
<p>We’ll have lots of empty bedrooms and bathrooms in a few weeks… lots or room for guests :)</p>
<p>VeryHappy, Good luck with the search and decision. I think you’d probably like Atlanta. (Don’t live there, but travel through Atlanta several times a year.)</p>
<p>Thanks, Quant. The problem isn’t Atlanta; the problem is being so far from family, friends, and where I’ve always lived. It’s incredibly sad to think of leaving everything behind.</p>