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dflprincess

(29,408 posts)

80. I wound up going with a contract house for awhile

Tue Nov 20, 2012, 01:20 AM

Nov 2012

great pay - but lousy benefits. I was "lucky" though, I signed up with one that actually paid holidays and, after a year with them, they'd pay for a week's vacation. They did offer insurance, which I took but the premium was about $400/month (single coverage) and it had a $6K deductible.

I would loved it if the job they had me in had gone permanet but it became clear it wasn't going to so I kept looking (while working - always easier to find a job when you're working). I got lucky and found something - about $8k less than my last "permanent" job (and even less than the contract job) but the benefits are really good, the commute is great and the company is growing. I hope I can stay there until I retire (which I figure will be when I'm 70, so I have about 10-1/2 years to go).

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Any DU'ers out there, 55+ looking for a job? [View all] maveric56 Nov 2012 OP

I am looking, too. trayfoot Nov 2012 #1

Many people will lie to you aletier_v Nov 2012 #75

Last 2 jobs I had they didn't bother to lie about age discrimination... Eleanors38 Nov 2012 #78

I was lucky and found one back in June after working 20+ years for one company. Have you still_one Nov 2012 #2

Linked in is a great way to see who is within a few of spheres of influence. Snarkoleptic Nov 2012 #65

I used Glassdoor.com, indeed.com, careerbuilder, and monster. Honeycombe8 Nov 2012 #81

I'm so sorry. rivegauche Nov 2012 #3

I'm almost 62, and I've been out of work since 2009.... OldDem2012 Nov 2012 #4

I make too much for food stamps. maveric56 Nov 2012 #10

No advice right now, but let's keep this thread kicked. K and R n/t Smarmie Doofus Nov 2012 #5

Yes LiberalEsto Nov 2012 #6

Not working out real well JustABozoOnThisBus Nov 2012 #7

Employment Development Dept. State of CA maveric56 Nov 2012 #11

what is that? oh I googled. As an independednt contractor, I can't get anything robinlynne Nov 2012 #48

To get your foot in the door... MANative Nov 2012 #8

That's really helpful, thanks. rivegauche Nov 2012 #9

You're welcome - hope your friend will find them useful! n/t MANative Nov 2012 #12

I really hate that - so I have to pretend I'm younger to even get a foot in the door? ebayfool Nov 2012 #16

It sucks entirely; there's no doubt about it. MANative Nov 2012 #20

Chris Matthews blonde; I know a guy who had prematurely silver hair and I told him to ErikJ Nov 2012 #34

Gotta do what you gotta do... Hulk Nov 2012 #58

Be careful with this advice. enlightenment Nov 2012 #37

The background checks are typically done... MANative Nov 2012 #59

It's about not letting them put you in a box, appearing active, vibrant and in touch with the times bettyellen Nov 2012 #82

I work for this agency. Call their 800 number to see if they are avail in CA graywarrior Nov 2012 #13

Thank you so much. maveric56 Nov 2012 #14

Let me know because if they don't service that area, I can ask my HQ graywarrior Nov 2012 #15

I'm in the SCSEP program here in Oregon. Living the Dream. WheelWalker Nov 2012 #47

get a nurse's aid certificate. librechik Nov 2012 #17

even better KatyMan Nov 2012 #92

yes, indeed--my daughter started with the CNA, and she's going to school in January librechik Nov 2012 #93

Title V provides Senior Community Service Employment Program in all 50 states Melinda Nov 2012 #18

I'm sorry, I wish I could give you some good news. Egalitarian Thug Nov 2012 #19

That's pretty much 2naSalit Nov 2012 #85

What do/did you do? n/t Egalitarian Thug Nov 2012 #87

Well... 2naSalit Nov 2012 #96

I was laid off a few months after 9/11 at age 48 magical thyme Nov 2012 #21

Try temping, agency work or contracting. Or - start your own business. geckosfeet Nov 2012 #22

I have top secretarial skills Le Taz Hot Nov 2012 #41

I like your idea of starting your own business. 7wo7rees Nov 2012 #62

hmm, that sounds interesting shanti Nov 2012 #64

Any kind you can swing. Courrier. Pizza. Florist. Auto parts. Groceries. geckosfeet Nov 2012 #71

Wow I feel for you mrsadm Nov 2012 #23

I've been getting by, barely, with freelance work. Jim Lane Nov 2012 #24

What are your job skills? beachgirl2365 Nov 2012 #25

Maritime engineering (US Naval ships in san diego) maveric56 Nov 2012 #33

Are you willing to relocate? Could your skills transfer to designing things for drilling rigs TexasBushwhacker Nov 2012 #68

heres one Cartoonist Nov 2012 #26

Not at the moment, thought I'm always on the ragged edge... Xipe Totec Nov 2012 #27

Similar boat as you adieu Nov 2012 #28

I got lucky ThoughtCriminal Nov 2012 #29

dont know what to offer but best wishes argiel1234 Nov 2012 #30

This over 55 DUer has been out of work Le Taz Hot Nov 2012 #31

I'm one of those millions in the same boat. GoCubsGo Nov 2012 #42

On the rare occasion that we do get an actual interview, Le Taz Hot Nov 2012 #50

Most of my interviews have been over the phone. GoCubsGo Nov 2012 #90

you're a boomer, right? shanti Nov 2012 #66

Yep! Le Taz Hot Nov 2012 #69

+1 Downwinder Nov 2012 #91

kick DonRedwood Nov 2012 #32

Big K&R defacto7 Nov 2012 #35

Drop Cobra... femrap Nov 2012 #36

3rd world living. ErikJ Nov 2012 #38

bookmarking brokechris Nov 2012 #39

Even though it can be rough Iwillnevergiveup Nov 2012 #40

I don't advise this- ruffburr Nov 2012 #43

I've been cleaning houses. notadmblnd Nov 2012 #44

+1 Dalai_1 Nov 2012 #45

K & R. Very important topic. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #46

Buy a franchise? Bennyboy Nov 2012 #49

I'm 65 with three degrees. Things got so bad at work that rzemanfl Nov 2012 #51

UPS Is hiring donco Nov 2012 #52

Yes, if you are 55 or over...... lib2DaBone Nov 2012 #53

Yup. It's a hard unpleasant truth when you stumble into it. aletier_v Nov 2012 #76

It's a form of 2naSalit Nov 2012 #86

I see much of myself in your words. 99Forever Nov 2012 #89

What I discovered 2naSalit Nov 2012 #97

K&R nt ProudProgressiveNow Nov 2012 #54

find a support group, remain positive. grantcart Nov 2012 #55

I'm 46 and employed as a teacher, but... gadjitfreek Nov 2012 #56

Sell on Ebay - no, you don't get insurance - but... jillan Nov 2012 #57

federal gov't hires us old folk NMDemDist2 Nov 2012 #60

my bro shanti Nov 2012 #61

You may try re-training. Health care jobs are supposed to be in high demand, plus the bluestate10 Nov 2012 #63

If I were looking, I'd dye my hair and lie on my resume. Seriously Poiuyt Nov 2012 #67

I'm not 55 or over or even in that vicinity yet. But Kick Against Agism!!! vaberella Nov 2012 #70

I'm 45 and part time employee and looking for a job with health insurance cherish44 Nov 2012 #72

I'm 55 Timbuk3 Nov 2012 #73

K&R L 99Forever Nov 2012 #74

dying the hair works CountAllVotes Nov 2012 #77

Earlier this yr was unemployed for a month. Got a job. I'm 58. Honeycombe8 Nov 2012 #79

I wound up going with a contract house for awhile dflprincess Nov 2012 #80

No, unless you strike gold but I have some thoughts TheKentuckian Nov 2012 #83

Lost my full-time job in 2009. Unemployed or underemployed since. tilsammans Nov 2012 #84

Don't worry about that. Many of us have multiple degrees with outstanding qualifications Egalitarian Thug Nov 2012 #88

Lost my last "job" five years ago. They said that due to the meds I was taking for oneshooter Nov 2012 #94

Are you a Veteran by chance? Corgigal Nov 2012 #95

The only contacts I have sadly are here in Maryland. Xyzse Nov 2012 #98