For many years, I followed my wife as she changed jobs and we moved around the country. Yes, it became more difficult to get something, even though I had experience in the places where I was applying.

Eventually, at least two years, through someone my wife knew, I was made aware of a job at the county owned nursing home. It was a good fit and I stayed there for several years, retiring in 2013. What was surprising to me, was that I had never done that kind of work, having been in sales most of my adult life.

I think this varies a lot depending on location and your job experience.

Where are you, what kind of jobs would be suitable for your skills?

Thank you Jim, that's encouraging. Especially nice to read that you were able to succeed in a completely different career field!

Elmer, I have extensive tech support/customer service/administrative support experience. We live in the boonies and are not within commuting distance to any call centers. So I will either have to find a telecommuting position or try something completely different.

Kadefol, are you looking for full-time or part-time employment?

Tackycat, either one would be fine for now.

I was just curious. Part time might be easier to get and could transition into fulltime later.

Yes, I am applying for both.

Thanks Alisande, 56 AND 65 is encouraging. :)

Try applying at banks. Major amount of software updates and lots of electronic customer service.

Hi kadefol,

I got my last job at age 58, and worked there until I was 65. At the time, I had quit my job in the insurance field (in which I worked for 38 years).....and wanted to do something totally different. I applied for State jobs, which used to require an online application and an in-person aptitude test. There were many tests for many different types of jobs. I loved doing totally different work from anything I had done before.

At least in my state, all government jobs are recruited without regard to age, gender, etc. As a nice bonus, I retired with a small pension!

Good luck in your search.

Honibaker, that sounds great. I've been keeping a close eye on state and county jobs, but people seem to hold onto them for dear life. Which, considering the benefits, is no surprise. I will continue to check though.

Loonlake, thank you for the suggestion. I just checked our local bank branches and unfortunately the only 2 open positions require 1 year of previous retail banking experience plus cash handling experience.

An FYI about some government jobs. Some governments, I will use Illinois, as an example have pension plans that if you would work long enough to draw a pension have provisions for a social security offset. Could reduce any SS when that time comes.

I have not used one in many years but if you have a temporary employment agency you might try applying for a job there. Some businesses use more temporary employees/contractors as they are called today than regular employees.

Yes there is employment after 56. I switched employers at 55 and stayed there until I retired at 62. I heard I was hired 2 days after my interview. I think it depends on your skills and the amount of available work in your area. There is a shortage of experienced people in my field. Good luck and just keep on pounding the pavement.

Kadefol, we are in a similar boat! My job as a helpdesk analyst was just outsourced and I've been unemployed for 2 days now at almost 61. When I posted some time back about updating my resume, someone (eld, I think) mentioned indeed.com. There were some telecommute jobs in the list of positions posted on their website. Looks like I'll probably take a pay cut but better a lower paying job than none at all.

Best of luck in your job search!

"Some governments, I will use Illinois, as an example have pension plans that if you would work long enough to draw a pension have provisions for a social security offset. Could reduce any SS when that time comes."

What Maifleur is referring to is the Windfall Elimination Provision, and it affects all states. Actually, it can affect anyone who works for an employer that does not withhold Social Security taxes and from which you draw a pension after retirement. The Social Security Administration website has a PDF document that explains it, and it includes information on the exceptions. You can also use the online Windfall Elimination Calculator to determine if, or how, you might be affected.

Hubs and I both retired as State of California employees. The State's online retirement calculators have already factored in any necessary adjustments for the Windfall Elimination Provision. I would imagine that virtually all government employer websites would have done the same.

[Edited to add that when you are employed by the State of California, Social Security taxes are withheld from your paycheck, so the Windfall Elimination Provision doesn't come into play at all.]

I got a job after a 3 yr wait, I was 64. I like it but it's not getting me rich or even close. It gets me out of the house.

PKponder, I am sorry you have to go through this. It is definitely harder to have to job hunt at an older age. Best of luck to you and hopefully you will find something even better for equal pay. Indeed.com is on my very long list of sites to check every day. :)

Tech support analyst for various help desks is what I used to do, but husband and I have been running our own (computer-related) business for quite a few years. Our very aged customer base is declining and so is the business income. We are not the only ones affected, several of our competitors have gone out of business recently. Definitely high time to find an additional source of income.

Lindsey thank you for posting that although some places it is called other things. My SIL worked for the City of Springfield, IL and when I called it that she insisted and did show me the paperwork that used another name but not one I can remember 10 years afterward.

I'm look right now. I'm 56, been in the insurance business for 20 years. Current agent is retiring soon so I'm looking. It's difficult out there, years ago I just looked at the help wanted ads, applied, interviewed etc. It's not the same anymore. I'm leaving the insurance business and want to try something new. I'm looking at a work at home type of job for many reasons. Mom is 82, lives with us. Husband is a motor coach bus driver and gone 5-8 days at a time. So much of the house/yard work is on me now and having a couple hours extra daily will really help me. We are on 2.25 acres, I have a vegetable garden and we have a swimming pool so right now I'm doing everything I can to make things easier on me.

Everything I apply for is online, sometimes you will do voice interviews and some times they will want video interviews. It's so impersonal and that is something I struggle with however I'm open to it and giving it all I can.

two25acres, it sure IS harder now, and scary. But hopefully all of us who are looking will find exactly what we need, and soon. :)

I work part-time. I am still at the company where I actually saw an ad in a newspaper, salary included.! I called, was interviewed and was hired. Done.

Imagine that.

I have watched both DD's look for employment after college.

The process is so different. 1. You email your resume

2. You hope to hear back

3. You hear back and have a phone interview

4. You hope to get to step 5 which is the

5. Skype interview. Then, if they are interested, you

6. Go into the office for an actual real-life interview.

7. Usually, this is not enough and they then want a team interview.

8. They are interested! And, only now they will talk money. Many times this is where it ended as they were low balling the offers. Or changing the job description to include other things.

To me, this is the strangest part. Interviewing without really knowing the salary.

eld, the process is very different for students who can do their job seeking though their college's career/placement office. Depending on the school, many companies (and grad schools) that do on-campus recruiting have meet and greet events during each school year and offer internships (sometimes called "co-op programs" in engineering or other technical fields) in pre-senior years as part of their hiring programs.