Excelle

I hope this all makes sense - I'm a little confused.......I am 63 years young and have just been laid off.  I have worked 40 years and have had only 3 jobs in my working career and all three companies have closed down on me,.  I was planning on working at my last job for another 3 years and retiring.  Plans detoured now.  I still plan on applying for Social Security in Oct to have it start in January.  I've made too much to apply for it now without it cutting my payment amount.  I received severence pay which cuts my unemployment 10 weeks.  It's not quite enough to last all year.  Unemployment dept. wants you to be flat broke before they give you anything.  I now need another job to tide me over until the first of the year.   I have an attitude problem.  I don't really want a career oriented job, not one with the responsibilities I have always had.  I'm done, kaput!!  I know I need to work.  I just don't want to.  I'm not lazy, I'm just ready to retire and work my own schedule.  I have applied at several temp agencies and sent my resume' to several companies.  One of my problems is my job title.  I don't know what to say when I'm asked - "What are you looking for?"  I don't know.  A 63 year old Admin Asst is not in big demand and I don't really want that any more.  I'm rambling - but does anyone else have this problem or feel like I do?  I've never been unemployed, became unemployed suddenly, upsets my plans now I'm feeling like a spoiled Diva, or entitled,  because I don't really want to go back to work.  Am I wrong, do I need an attitude adjustment or just time to figure this out?  I must say my confidence is low....help

You sound like you have it together.  I commend you for wanting to go back to school.  I almost did before I got my last job 10 years ago but didn't feel I would recover the cost in wages over my work life.  Good for you. 

I do crafts and have had some things on ebay and am going to try Itsy.  Ebay is fun and once I get started I get busy.  Substituting is something I had thought about.  Us older ladies do have something to offer.  Temp work is ok but I am picky about how far from home I 'll go.  I'm used to driving 4 miles to work.  I've already turned down a few projects because of the drive.  I don't even want to drive more than 10 miles or in traffic.  I'll figure it out.  You are fortunate you don't really have to work.  You go girl, go travel.  That's what I would love to do. 

Thank you for your advice.  At least I know I'm not being selfish and spoiled.  I guess it's kind of like a morning period.  Once I figure myself out I l know I will enjoy it.  Thanks again for your sound counsel.

Pat Wynn

Debbie

As confused and stranded as I feel, I am older and closer to retirement and don't have a family to support.  That I am thankful for and only need to use my brain to figure something out either part time or on line and shoot for retirement.  I just don't like my applecart turned upside down.

Go back to school somehow, if at all possible.  You still have time to make a career.  There are so many people in this same situation that it's easy for us to centralize it.  With all the older people looking for work there are many more younger people looking.  Us older people aren't exactly what employers are looking for for several reasons but mostly we raise their insurance costs.  That's why Wal-Mart has so many "greeters".  I just hate that they did away with the little blue vests and kazillion buttons and ribbons, but at least they kept the chairs. .

I think we all need to not give up and to keep plugging.  I have never been unemployed so felt pretty secure in my job.  I just knew if I could make 3 more years, "I'm outta here!"  I made the "I'm outta here!" part but not the 3 years.  That's the part that wakes you up.   We now have a lot of wide awake unemployed people walking around.  Sort of like Thriller.  It just feels better to express my thoughts and see what other people are feeling.  Good luck to you.

I understand what you're saying.  My company was going through downsizing and the younger folks got laid off, more seasoned  employees with at least 20 years had the option of VERA/voluntary early retirement.  I chose the VERA because it also let me keep my health/life insurance.   I've been looking for something else to do for the next 20 years, trying to change from my supervisory role to something clerical.  I was hoping to move into accounting while I finish up my degree work.

Most of what I get it what was your salary ( followed by they hang up without the curtesy of completing the interview or even sentence).  Others want to know why I would even consider taking a position of less responsibility.  It can be very demoralizing, but I know there is a position for which I am ideally suited and I AM GOING TO FIND IT  SOON! 

In the meantime I do some crafting I sew, quilt, do wall hangings, silk arrangements, scrap booking, photography and such.  The arrangements have always sold I fast as I can finish them.  Guess I should get on ebay.

Have you tried looking at companies that are just starting up are usually looking for seasoned professionals without all the inter company politics and coroprate ladder climbing.   They may not offer all the benefits the bigger companies do.