<p>Looking for advice on finding a job at age 50+. I have typically worked in mortgage lending, but prefer a change of pace. Anything related to finance would seem to make sense. Looking for something a little more mellow and less stressful. Willing to accept lower income as a tradeoff. So far, I have applied to a few job openings online, but it’s like sending a resume into a black hole. At best, I have received an email confirmation of the “don’t call us, we’ll call you” variety. I know networking is always recommended, but I can’t think of anyone I know who might have a connection for me. </p>
<p>Any thoughts or advice from those who have been through this?</p>
<p>Are you a bookkeeper? CPA? Can you do credit counseling? Interested? How about exit interviews on college campuses, where students are advised of rights and options? Taxes? H&R Block trains, if interested. My cousin works for them and has been a trainer for years now.</p>
<p>How about working for a temp agency to see what’s available and works with your skill set? How about managing grants for a nonprofit or united way?</p>
<p>Perhaps taking a course or two to polish bookkeeping skills will expand the places you can apply.</p>
<p>RVM, I have an idea. Temp agency. Sign up with one or more and see who calls you with assignments. Accept or not as you like. Get a window into what the environment is like at different companies. Take time off between assignments. Don’t be surprised if you get offered a full-time position.</p>
<p>RVM- You said you have applied online, have you checked Craigslist? A friend suggested this to me 5 years ago and that’s how I got my present job (I was 50 when I was hired).</p>
<p>Hi Rockvillemom, I went back to work in my 50s. I first got a job an assistant to the education director at a music non-profit. While doing that I went back to school, first just business tech classes to update my skills, and then found I enjoyed accounting and continued classes in a post-bacc accounting program. Since then I have worked in a couple places in finance related jobs; a tax firm and for another non-profit. It was odd wandering back into the mix at my age, but I agree that you’re looking in a good area with finance jobs. Do you have some education background in accounting? If not, it would probably be worth the effort to take some classes in it.</p>
<p>Are you on LinkedIn? If not, create an account and link to everyone you know from a business perspective. And you can use the job search function to get emails on jobs that might suit you. I think the pool of applicants is a bit smaller and more focused than on Monster (if that is what you have been using). I generally see “higher quality” postings on LinkedIn. Note that with the free LinkedIn account, the emails seem to only come for a month. Then you have to go reactivate your saved search. It usually takes me a few days to notice when the emails stop coming – then I feel dumb.</p>
<p>Well, I just saw quite a few interesting openings on Craigslist and a possibility on HandR Block. I love the temp agency idea also. Thanks for giving me some new directions.</p>
<p>I have a good friend who worked for H&R Block for many years, managing an office and teaching during the off-season. It was an awful company to work for, more awful every year. Maybe each region is different though.</p>
<p>So - job hunt underway for a few weeks now. Have one promising company - going back for a second interview next week.</p>
<p>But here’s my real question, and maybe someone who works in HR can explain to me - why do the vast majority of jobs I apply for online result in no response? Maybe an automated email at best. Is there no longer any expectation of the courtesy of a response? I have no way of knowing if I am percieved to be over-qualified for some of the positions and they don’t think I am serious. Or is it my age? </p>
<p>I find it really insulting that I am expected to not only upload a resume and cover letter, which I would expect to do, but then fill out page after page of redundant info online, sign all kinds of disclosres and submit the application, only to be ignored. I am more than qualified for the positions. My goodness, in the job qualifications they list things like being a hs graduate, legally able to work in the US and basic computer skills! Yup, I have those! The majority of the positions I apply to do not have any contact info to follow up - it often looks like they ste going to an outside recruiter or reviewing agency.</p>
<p>This experience has given me greater empathy for those who are unemployed, especialy older workers. I long for the old days where the posting had a name and number of someone in HR you could actually communicate with. </p>
<p>Anyway, does anyone have any further insight into the nuances of this process?</p>
<p>RVM, my wife has her own firm in Rockville. She was looking for some part-time help, and put an ad on Craigslist. She was overwhelmed with responses. She’s a one-person shop, and is swamped, so she did not have the time to respond with a ‘thanks, but no thanks’ email to everyone who was interested. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>I applied to over 100 jobs two years ago and I can count on one hand the number of responses I got. Don’t take it personally-- that is how it is now.</p>
<p>H&R Block and the likes are for those either are broke or have nothing to do. Their pay is very low, perhaps even lower than flipping burgers. And their pay is based on the number of returns filed, not in the season, no pay. The work, when in tax season is very stressful, while you may twit your fingers during the non-tax season.</p>
<p>I would try to find a real hourly job, or if self employment is desired or ended up with, you may consider financial sales, such as insurance, loan broker, real estate appraiser or real estate sales.</p>
<p>Its real hard to find a job after 50… good luck.</p>
<p>Many companies simply use computer programs to weed out those who don’t match what they’re looking for If they want someone with two to five years of experience and you have six years, you’ll be knocked out of consideration.</p>
<p>Really? That seems absurd, particularly for middle-aged folks like myself with 20 + years experience. I think that I may need some professional help with my resume and how to approach this whole search. Depending on what happens next week, I have a national temp/staffing agency selected (local office) and am planning to see if they can help me. I do like the temping idea - great way to take a potential employer for a test drive and see if it is a mutual fit.</p>