For a short time when I was in my late-fifties I did some work for a charity which involved door-to-door selling. Most of my co-workers were half my age or younger, and it became obvious that I had some advantages over them because of my age. People of all ages are more open to a mature person than they might be to a youngster, and will listen to what you have to say. It might be unfair, but a young man arriving on the doorstep is likely to be thought less trustworthy than a mature person. Another benefit, which was pointed out to me by the boss, is that with my life experience I'm able to converse easily on a great many subjects. People in their twenties often find it more difficult to talk to someone older, because they don't have the same shared knowledge or experience. Can you think of other types of job where being a senior can be a big advantage?
I worked for a premium pet food company for a couple of years, as a part time job. I would spend some time in stores that carried the company's product, developing a relationship with employees who are often asked to recommend a brand, and also speaking to customers. I would also visit stores that weren't carrying our brand in order to persuade them to do so. During this time, I met some of the people who were doing this for other companies and, since it was a part-time job, many of them were very young. Being older, I believe that I had an easier time of it, both with customers and store employees and owners. I also had cats who were actually using the product that I was selling, three of which were 17 and 18 then, which everyone thought was old (I have since lost one, but the other two are 24 now). I know that store employees particularly enjoyed the fact that I would help customers find products and places in the store that had nothing to do with our brand.
I guess part-time jobs are perfect for seniors as most are not looking for full-time employment but to supplement their Social Security pensions or retirement savings. On the part of employers, with all the benefits they could save, are likely more open to hiring part-time workers like a senior citizen who is not looking for benefits.
I hadn't thought of it that way, but...in Washington the default summer job for students used to be door-to-door fundraising for various nonprofit organizations. The norm when I was that age was that we wore jeans and T-shirts, and although we went out in pairs we knocked on doors alone, and we started canvassing in mid-afternoon. One day I'd worked at an office job in the morning and hit the street in a skirt and dressy flat shoes. The numbers of doors that opened, and the amount of money I took in, doubled. Another day the foster-daughter-or-adoptive-sister (I was 22, she was 13) went with me; the number of doors that opened, and the amount we took in, *more than tripled.* People are just more receptive to two women (and, in Washington at least, to yuppie-looking women) than they are to one student. I'm sure the "older women are more trusted" thing still works...though good luck convincing the nonprofits to let us try it.
As an insurance agent being a senior citizen does give me the chance to talk to more people because they trust me more because of my age.
We were told to wear the sort of clothing that would be acceptable in an office. The men wore shirts and ties and I wore dark trousers with a plain blouse and jacket. One day a female trainee turned up in very high heels. She said she was more comfortable in them than she would be in flats, but I had to keep waiting for her to catch up with me and I could tell that her feet were suffering by the end of the day. She didn't return the following day.
I once went to a "Bennigan's" restaurant looking for a job as a cook. I had three interviews and had to pass a test to get the job. When I was accepted I had a small meeting with the assistant manager. He told me that the main reason they hired me besides my experience was the fact that the kitchen had a bunch of younger people working in it. He said he was glad that I was an older person because I could add a little bit of maturity to the staff. I was only 28 at the time. But yes. In the food and beverage industry, particularly in the kitchen, seniors are looked at as practical gods when experience comes with the age. And, part timers are welcome particularly in Hotel kitchens.
The only work that I do is as a free lance writer and that is fun for me, especially when somebody buys something that I have written. I may lose my "byline" but that is fine with me as I can spend the money I earn. After years in business I don't think I would be suited working for somebody else, but I think being a Walmart greeter may be a bit of fun. Of course I would probably be fired within a few hours because I am not too good with the general public and they would most likely not like my off the wall humor. Perhaps a beggar would be more to my liking! lol
Pardon me but it seems like I have no contribution to this thread. In this part of the world, a senior citizen is treated as nothing when it comes to employment. When I was younger, the retirement age was 65 but now they have lowered the retiring age to 60. I'm talking about the company where I work for. But there are companies whose retiring age is 55. Too early to retire, huh. And what would a retiree do, get another job? It's quite impossible unless your option is to be a "greeter" in the supermarket. A greeter is similar to the doorman of a hotel. A retiree is lucky if he is taken in as a consultant but otherwise, the only alternative that a retiree has for now is to create his own employment.
I was not yet a senior but I got into emergency medical services far later than most people. I was thirty-two when I became an EMT, and a paramedic the following year, whereas most people were entering the field right out of high school. Largely because I was older, my first paid job in EMS was as an EMS Director for a small city service, and I went on from there to become a training coordinator for a larger private company, instructor for a community college, program chairman of the EMT department of a state technical college, and then part owner of a private ambulance company. I am not saying that I didn't know what I was doing, but it didn't hurt that I was more mature than the rest of the people I went to EMT school with. Once I had EMS Director on my resume, everyone pretty much assumed that I had been in EMS for several years.
I am now in my fifties and I am finding it hard to find work outside the home. I have even been looking for part time work and still no luck. I know someone else in their fifties who was out of work for awhile but since they were in the education field they did eventually find a new job, even if its onlly part time with no benefits. Right now I am wondering if there is a job out there for me.
That's my fear - difficulty in finding work when you are past 50. I am fortunate to have a good job in a blue chip company that provides for retirement of their employees. Old age is getting to be a reality, bit by bit, and we cannot deny it. My husband would always say that let's enjoy life but how can you enjoy if you are faced with such reality about financial problems and the like. I commiserate with those jobless 50 plus because they are already past the most productive stage in life.
I was 23, a year out of the Navy when I got into EMS out of the beach area of Southern California. I got training in Advanced First Aid and some EMT work and wore a snappy looking uniform! I still remember my first Code 3 (emergency) call! I remember testing the siren and lights at the station, but getting/going on a Code 3 call, to say the least, was very exciting. I worked the beach areas, Compton/Watts/South Central and Los Angeles. Stood by for MX races and at the Orange County Raceway. After two years, I'd had enough and got a OJT working in a warehouse for a manufacturing job. The salary/benefits were much better and I had weekends off to "party"........if I chose to. Actually, I have a fully stocked First Aid Kit in our boat, both vehicles and at home. CPR Kit and stethoscope to boot. Also, fire extinguisher and flares in the vehicles and boat.
Well, due to certain limitations like a past ankle surgery w/3 screws and a plate, hip replacement and both shoulders involved in RC surgeries, I could only take a job sitting down using a computer. That's what I'd be really good at anyway. No standing/walking around Home Depot, Lowe's or Wal Mart.........nope, ain't gonna happen! For a man, I'm pretty speedy on a keyboard. Last checked, I type 70 wpm!. Actually, years ago, I wanted to be a Rock Star. A year ago, a very good drummer for a local rock band, asked me if I wanted to sit-in on their next set after their break. I was extremely flattered, but knew the old shoulders couldn't take it. For wife, it would be working part-time in Accounting or doing taxes. That's what she is very good at.