New Job Search
It's time to move on. And it's scary. With the economy the way it is, and being a 59 year old woman, I know this isn't going to be easy. But I feel it's really time. Next month (August) I will be 59 1/2, and fully vested in my 401K, which I plan to pull out asap. So, I would appreciate any advice in starting my search. And...any good wishes you care to send along! Thanks! |
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| If you are not liking it, it's time to start searching. It eventually affects your job performance, so not a good thing!
I don't have any good sugggestions yet- what are your skills/education/qualifications?? |
| It absolutely is effecting my job performance. I only have 2 years of college, but have worked as an accountant since 1973!!! I have been a comptroller for well over 15 years, in the auto industry. and worked as a staff accountant in the corporate world for many years. In the past, I have been forgiven my lack of a degree because of my years of experience...I don't think that works anymore. And....at this stage of my life, I don't want (or need) such a high pressure job. |
| I know nothing abut accounting (it would be one of the LAST career choices for ME), but I know some who love it. My SIL Nona used her accounting (2 yr degree) and has worked in a college in the bookstore for many years. She does the financial aid dispursements, and the accounts for the bookstore. In general she likes it, especially the contact with the students keeps it interesting.
One of my excoworkers husbands is about your age and an accountant - he was layed off and had a really hard time finding a job. He ended up taking a totally different job, as the market had NO openings around here. He works as a janitor in a catholic HS....and actually is enjoying it! |
| Deb, my husband is a comptroller for 3 dealerships. When he was looking for a job three years ago, he went to a firm that specializes in car dealerships.
He had been with the same dealership for 15 years, but a certain HOF QB bought it and replaced everyone with his people. The headhunting firm practiced interviewing skills, polished up his resume and sent him on interviews. Within three weeks, he had multiple offers. A week later he started as an assistant comptroller, less money but the potential was the best. A year later, he was the comptroller. Our ages are about the same, if that helps. |
| I have no advice but just wanted to say good luck and whatever you do I hope you enjoy it! |
| The activities director at the nursing home where Harry does therapy told me that she left a very good paying job as a legal secretary about 6 years ago - she is roughly your age - because she always wanted to work with seniors. She did not start in her position but eventually worked her way up to it and to her old pay. She says she never regrets her decision and is very happy.
Have you thought about taking your experience into the non-profit sector? I have heard of people switching over to that and really liking it. |
Good luck  the job market where I live is sooo bad.
I hope you find something you love - that would be my dream |
| When you say "vested in your 401K" do you mean a company match portion?
When you say "pull out" do you mean yourself out of the dealership or your money out of the plan? BEFORE you move your money (and preferably before you actually sign any exit papers) you should talk with a fee-for-service-only financial planner type.  |
I dont know a thing about accounting as a career, but, have you thought at all about working for yourself? Im not sure about in your area, but I know that as a small business person, Ive had a hard time finding a freelance accountant to do my taxes/bookkeeping.  |
ravenmoonart wrote: I dont know a thing about accounting as a career, but, have you thought at all about working for yourself? Im not sure about in your area, but I know that as a small business person, Ive had a hard time finding a freelance accountant to do my taxes/bookkeeping.
I would think that would be a great way to go too... |
Willowsprite wrote: ravenmoonart wrote: I dont know a thing about accounting as a career, but, have you thought at all about working for yourself? Im not sure about in your area, but I know that as a small business person, Ive had a hard time finding a freelance accountant to do my taxes/bookkeeping. I would think that would be a great way to go too... That's very interesting. When we visit Key West, all our friends down there have their own little businesses and tell me I should move there and do the books for all of them. But it's a little island and a greater need for that, then there is here. Maybe I'll give it some thought...and send out some feelers. |
| and why aren't you on Duval Street? |
kerry wrote: and why aren't you on Duval Street?
I ask myself that every, single morning.... :cry: |
I would be renting an adress down there and sending out the feelers for business - o fcourse from what I saw down there every one had two jobs - so you could be a robert the doll souvenier seller too  |
| Bad jobs actually cost you money. I left a job I hated and it hated me. A year later I reliesed that I had gone from spending several thousands of dollars, in addition to the insurance a year for medical care, to not making my $350 dedutable. In the pst six years I have made my dedutable twice, once when my every 90 day blood test landed in the same year, and one year when I kept hurting myself.
Also, my sister is an accoutant that left a job because her boss was insane. She has been successful since then specialising in small farms and small construction firms. If fact she had to refuse clients because they interfered with her sewing and fishing. Perhaps you should pick a sub-group that you know. Perhaps dog breeders and people show animals (I wanted to use a different word. But I was pretty sure that you did not want to work for people that were showers of dogs.) |
debcram wrote: Willowsprite wrote: ravenmoonart wrote: I dont know a thing about accounting as a career, but, have you thought at all about working for yourself? Im not sure about in your area, but I know that as a small business person, Ive had a hard time finding a freelance accountant to do my taxes/bookkeeping. I would think that would be a great way to go too... That's very interesting. When we visit Key West, all our friends down there have their own little businesses and tell me I should move there and do the books for all of them. But it's a little island and a greater need for that, then there is here. Maybe I'll give it some thought...and send out some feelers. Most of your work could be done over the computer. Maybe you would have to take a few "business" trips  To Key West periodically. |
| I left a job over 2 years ago that I had been at for over 12 years. I was scared to make a change at the time due to my age then (56). But I finally couldn't take any longer the games my boss was playing concerning my position & work performance. I fell into a very nice job. I was unemployed exactly 4 days. Now I drive 1-1/2 miles to work rather than 18 miles each way 5 days a week. I save lots of money there on gas & auto upkeep. I am gone from home (and the dogs) between 30-35 hours a week rather than 50 hours a week. (Work schedule & travel time to other job) and I actaully make more per hour & more take home than at the previous job. I kick myself all the time for the years I "tolerated" the other job because I thought I had no choice due to my age. It's so much nicer to get up in the morning & look forward to working than to have a headache & ready to vomit (sorry, no other way to describe it) when you pull into the parking lot each morning. So put your feelers out there and keep an open mind about the opportunities. Some can look like "ugly ducklings" on the outside, but once you interview and talk to the employers, actually turn out to be "swans" |
| I haven't worked in an actual job for 12 years...and now I am just looking for a retail position. I am 51, so not much behind you. I don't want another office job and since I was a draftsperson, I am so behind on the cad programs that I can't catch up.
All these online apps are the pits...it's like a black hole. My kids have one more week off school and when they go back, I will be applying everywhere again. Hopefully I can find something where I actually use the products. Good luck Deb!!! I know you will find something better! |
| Good Luck Deb!!!!! |
| EEK! I mailed out my first resume this morning. I don't know if I will ever hear from these people (it was a blind ad in the Chicago Tribune) BUT I've taken the first step!!!!! |
debcram wrote: EEK! I mailed out my first resume this morning. I don't know if I will ever hear from these people (it was a blind ad in the Chicago Tribune) BUT I've taken the first step!!!!!
Good for you and if you think of it a sa learning process you will only get better at tailoring the resume and (hopefully) interviewing. |
I GOT A CALL!  I have an interview Wednesday at 4:30. I'm terrified! Do I really want to do this? Do I really dislike my job so much? YES! But I do love being so close to home and going home at lunch and hangin' with the dogs. I won't be able to do that if I get this job. If I get this job??? Heck, if I live through the interview!!!!!. |
| Good luck!
Get the job offer, then you can sweat out all the other hard choices! |
| look at it as practice for a job you may really want- and this might turn into that |
debcram wrote: I GOT A CALL!
I have an interview Wednesday at 4:30. I'm terrified! Do I really want to do this? Do I really dislike my job so much? YES! But I do love being so close to home and going home at lunch and hangin' with the dogs. I won't be able to do that if I get this job. If I get this job??? Heck, if I live through the interview!!!!!. Don't be scared! You will do great. I recruited for my company for 10 years, before going back into the field as a trainer. I prayed for candidates like you to walk through my door
Can't wait to hear how it goes. Even if it is not the perfect position, any interviewing you can do will help you become more comfortable with the process. |
| I am certain that you'll knock'em dead! |
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