Could use some help in getting a low profile JOB!

[edpontiac91]

I guess none of the members are going to have to deal with this problem for QUITE some time, but I have been out of work for about 6 months, due to a Management change and moving people out that cannot put in 70+ hours a week and other labor mispractice violations.

When I look at what is now out there (in that great $10.00 hour field) they want you to do every thing they (the Company) can come up with. Just an example is any of the Car Rental Companies, want you to wash the cars-drive anywhere for a FIXED amount of time (not counting traffic) keep the lot organized-assist the Manager with any other duties etc., and work nights, weekends and Holidays. All this is yours with no benefits, up to WOW 25 hours P/T with 40 hours F/T (but still NO benefits). Best of ALL, is the going rate of $8.75 hour.

All your professional backgrounds go out the window. Plus filling out 10 sheets of forms or going online for 20 minutes to pick your brain about psychological test questions. WELCOME to the low employment figures of 4.5%, BUT WE ARE EARNING LESS MONEY THAN EVER BEFORE. Sorry for the rant, but listen people, start saving NOW, before you realize it's too late to have put away enough $$$$$ for retirement!

[sweetbmxrider]

Ever consider parts delivery? Batteries and big rotors would be your heavy lifts. Otherwise its slinging the normal ****. Local Napa seems to only employ older gentlemen

[V]

Well working at a rental car company in a position like you described is usually for someone with no skills or education. If you are more qualified, start low and plan to work up in the company over time. If you have substantial skills or education just don't look at those type of jobs.
My wifes job is moving and extending work hours with no compensation. as a result she's being forced to leave. So i do kinda know what its like.

The real problem is no one wants to do their job anymore. Its all about "what's the least i can do to stay under the radar".

Try fast food, i hear they are working towards 15/hr.

[MDSheds_SS]

Call me crazy but my co-workers wife works at Costco and makes 18/hr + Bennys. Fork lift drivers make more.

[ar0ck]

Try interning in your 30's, its not easy when your trying to break into a specific field. I'm sorta in the same boat, but without the years of experience you have. I work part time doing shipping & receiving for a Military/LE equipment company while I intern at night for a major television show. Thankfully I still have veteran benefits for the next 4 years.

[unstable bob gable]

Originally Posted by MDSheds_SS

Call me crazy but my co-workers wife works at Costco and makes 18/hr + Bennys. Fork lift drivers make more.

I've talked to some peeps at Costco and they enjoy working there. If I can get an early retirement from Transit I might even apply there. They are a solid, respected company.

[unstable bob gable]

Originally Posted by ar0ck

I intern at night for a major television show.

South Park?

[edpontiac91]

My problem (not to look for excuses) is that I am 73 years (which NO Company can NOT hire you because of age discrimination) and I have bad knees (just look at the way 90% of the people walk over 50+) that prevents me for standing (a position at COSTO woud require a person to be on their feet for at least 7 hours) OR walking over periods of time and a L1-S5 or S1-L5 slipped spinal disc that requires me to be VERY CAREFUL when lifting anything heavy. It's like you get up in the morning and as long as you can walk and not have to pick up any heavy items, the day goes by without PAIN. One solution for anybody reading this, IS DON'T GET OLD!

Don't depend on Social Security to be of much help. It might be broke by the time some of you get there. The past two years, there hasen't been an INCREASE, because the economy IS SO GREAT. Plus when we did get an increase, it was like an extra $20.00 a week. Watch out Shop-Rite, I'am cleaning out the day old bread display.

[V]

So I guess the moral of the story is to plan and save for retirement.
My mother always tells me of her friends that are still working because they have to. She can't understand it.
My father got injured while working in his 60s. Was never the same or able to enjoy life or retirement. He finally passed in 2014.
I already at least have some type of medical for life due to military service.

[sweetbmxrider]

Originally Posted by edpontiac91

My problem (not to look for excuses) is that I am 73 years (which NO Company can NOT hire you because of age discrimination) and I have bad knees (just look at the way 90% of the people walk over 50+) that prevents me for standing (a position at COSTO woud require a person to be on their feet for at least 7 hours) OR walking over periods of time and a L1-S5 or S1-L5 slipped spinal disc that requires me to be VERY CAREFUL when lifting anything heavy. It's like you get up in the morning and as long as you can walk and not have to pick up any heavy items, the day goes by without PAIN. One solution for anybody reading this, IS DON'T GET OLD!

Don't depend on Social Security to be of much help. It might be broke by the time some of you get there. The past two years, there hasen't been an INCREASE, because the economy IS SO GREAT. Plus when we did get an increase, it was like an extra $20.00 a week. Watch out Shop-Rite, I'am cleaning out the day old bread display.

Parts delivery, taxi, etc.

[edpontiac91]

Originally Posted by V

So I guess the moral of the story is to plan and save for retirement.
My mother always tells me of her friends that are still working because they have to. She can't understand it.
My father got injured while working in his 60s. Was never the same or able to enjoy life or retirement. He finally passed in 2014.
I already at least have some type of medical for life due to military service.

Your 100% correct on planning for retirement. If you say to yourself, AH, I'll get around to it tomorrow. Then one day you WAKE-UP and tomorrow is starring you right in the place (moral says it's TOO LATE THEN). Take it from someone who knows, because my parents NEVER told me what was coming down the pike!

[Featherburner]

And here I am wondering if I should work an extra 3 years and retire at 58 or go at the earliest I can and retire at 55. It would be a difference of $3500 a year in my pension. Decisions...decisions.

[elle]

What exactly is a low profile job?

[edpontiac91]

Originally Posted by elle

What exactly is a low profile job?

In this economy, it's the world of $8.00-$10.00 hour jobs. Where in my professional Management career I was earning a salary in the $60-$70,000 range. BUT as you get older, EXPERIENCE doesn't mean S**T, because the 20 year old something Collage grad is out there and will GLADLY take the job you interviewed for AT LEAST HALF that, with NO experience and be happy as a pig in crap JUST to be working.
In this new era of LOW income jobs, they want you to do all the work most people are not thrilled about doing, BUT fill out job applications that a NASA pilot would have trouble with. Add to that, the Managers that you have to work UNDER treat you like the lower form of life and expect the world from you without any chance of benefits or RESPECT! Other then that, everything is fine with a LOW PROFILE position!

[TaKid455]

Be your own boss? Admin assistant for a small business?

[stoney2677]

Start looking at hvac companies. Bigger companies have dedicated positions for running parts or permit applications. The season is coming and they'll be looking soon.

[redsoxsstink]

work in a call center, comcast, verizion, numerous insurance companies all always looking for reps to fill a seat. most positions start at 13/hr plus comission if you are in sales

[Frosty]

Try going to local dealerships and ask if they need a shuttle/courtesy driver. At the few dealerships I worked at we have seniors doing that and it's perfect for everyone involved. It's easy, you make a few bucks and there's no physical demands. It's worth looking into.

[madness410]

Ed I am sorry to hear about your current employment situation.

I have heard Costco hires and treats their employees very well, good pay and benefits. I know you live near south Plainfield too have you tried hobby lobby? they treat their employees well too.

[wrong generation]

become a walmart greeter ?

[qwikz28]

Ed:

I'm sorry to hear about your trouble. I employ a paralegal in her late 50s, and she is a fantastic employee. I didn't understand it at first, but I get now that she understands the job market isn't fair to those more advanced in age.

That being said, have you considered being an Uber driver? Your G8 is comfortable, yet efficient and would put a smile on most peoples face. I've never used Uber but I am told its a decent way to make a few bucks if you have a newer car and a smartphone.

[edpontiac91]

Originally Posted by qwikz28

Ed:

I'm sorry to hear about your trouble. I employ a paralegal in her late 50s, and she is a fantastic employee. I didn't understand it at first, but I get now that she understands the job market isn't fair to those more advanced in age.

That being said, have you considered being an Uber driver? Your G8 is comfortable, yet efficient and would put a smile on most peoples face. I've never used Uber but I am told its a decent way to make a few bucks if you have a newer car and a smartphone.

Thanks, but the G8 belongs to my son. I also don't have a smartphone. Just a dumbphone since I only use my cell to call and receive VOICE messages. OMG, I must live in the Twilight Zone! NO TEXT-MOVIES-GAMES-EMAILS-AGGGGGGG The only good thing is that I save about $10,000 a month in phone bills.

[zraffz]

Originally Posted by Featherburner

And here I am wondering if I should work an extra 3 years and retire at 58 or go at the earliest I can and retire at 55. It would be a difference of $3500 a year in my pension. Decisions...decisions.

Really? Reading about social security possibility not being around when I retire (which has crossed my mind already) has me panicking even more that my pension won't be there in 37 years when I can retire without being penalized...

Makes me want to switch my careers.

[edpontiac91]

Originally Posted by zraffz

Really? Reading about social security possibility not being around when I retire (which has crossed my mind already) has me panicking even more that my pension won't be there in 37 years when I can retire without being penalized...

Makes me want to switch my careers.

Five or Six years ago when the economy took a HUGE HIT, A LOT of people who had put aside monies into their 401K or IRA, lost 70% or more. I was working for Sears at the time and had Store Managers tell me they had $100,000+ into their retirement funds and now it was worth MAYBE $30,000 or a little more than that. Look at the interest you get from a Bank on your Funds (401K-Mutual-IRA) it's about 0.2%. The banks are giving you SQUAT and taking the MAJOR amount of your savings and using it to make 20% or more. JUST LOOK AT SOME OF THE BIGGEST BUILDINGS, and you'll see Bank of America-Chase-Prudential etc. The facts are that this economy is NOT going to improve this year at all and we are in the 3rd worst recession in the last 63 years. Other than that, the light at the end of the tunnel, IS AN ONCOMING TRAIN!

[Featherburner]

Originally Posted by zraffz

Really? Reading about social security possibility not being around when I retire (which has crossed my mind already) has me panicking even more that my pension won't be there in 37 years when I can retire without being penalized...

Makes me want to switch my careers.

I don't even figure Social Security into the equation when figuring out my retirement. If it's still there when I get there, great, if not, I wasn't counting on it anyway. I've been paying into my pension for the last 30 years. As it stands now, I can retire at 55 with no penalty and I'm 47 now. I will have 38 years in at 55 and at that time, I will assess my situation and make a decision. My plan is to get another job once retired to help defray the cost of my kids college educations.