Be sure to use key words in your resume that have been used in the online job posting. Often there is a scanning process that calls out the applications that don’t have a certain percentage of those key requirements. In other words, tailor your job history writeup to ensure it fits with the job requirements. Don’t lie either.

It does help to seek out friends who might be able to help with openings and who can recommend for positions.

Can he talk to his boss about increasing his hours in an a secondary capacity?

I began my new job at a botanical garden in November. I found it on indeed.com. I sent in my online application that same day and heard nothing. I ended up going to visit the gardens the next week and sent a follow up letter telling them how much I loved the gardens and to reiterate my interest. Still nothing. After three weeks I sent an email again saying how much I wanted to be a part of their team and wondering if the position(s) were still open. They called me that day for a phone screening interview.

So I guess my advice would be to keep the channels of communication open. And if there is a HR department, that would be a good place to open a talk.

Good luck to your dh!

Most online job sites are just fishing for your contact information that they can sell to someone who will contact you and try to sell you something, not offer you a job. The number of jobs you might get from that would be slim, in my experience. The best way to get a job is to find a valid job opening. My best sources for that are professional job bulletins. The newspaper and local Craigslist and other local online bulletin boards are more valid than some of the sites like Monster. If I see a job listing that doesn't have a contact person or web site or phone number, it is for sure a waste of time. If I do find something online, I try to call or look on the Web site to validate if there is an actual open job there. Personal contacts and the actual web sites of some of the companies he's interested in. Contact someone and if you get a good feeling, even if they aren't hiring right then, leave your resume and then contact again in 6 months. Someone may have just quit.

The best way to find a job is to get up every day and find a way to apply for a job. Or once a week. You have to throw a lot of bait out there before you'll get a bite. Of course some get lucky, but the law of averages says that if you're not "lucky" right out of the gate, just keep applying and applying and sooner or later you are bound to get a bite.

Also, update your skill set and read up on how to present yourself verbally and in person and in writing with successful modern marketing practices. Finding a job is making a sale, and you are pitching yourself as the ideal solution to the employers needs.

Jo's advice reminded me of something else, figure out what you want to do and sell the idea that you are good at it and want to do it for the employer. That's part of marketing. Convince the employer that you want to work for them, not that you are desperately searching for a job, any job, to stay employed. Both may be true, but one is not a good marketing strategy. Guess which one.

Is he on LinkedIn? Ive had people randomly reach out to me and offer me freelance writing jobs on LinkedIn (some of which have actually worked out very well). He could make connections with people that way.

I've found some very good jobs from online job postings, but I think it depends on your field.

Thank you, everyone! He's been applying directly through company websites. Before the pressure cleaning he spent many years in retail management, so he's been applying at Lowe's, Publix, Home Depot, etc. We have a lot of his retail experience on his resume, but we'll try reorganizing it to highlight those skills.

Outside, I've encouraged him to talk to the boss about doing at least some field work again. I'm not sure if they aren't busy enough right now, or if he's just not interested. Business should start picking up now that it's spring.

Beagles, he's very wary of having an online presence, so he's not on LinkedIn.

Donna

What does he want to do? Where I live it seems like “everyone” is hiring. Is he networking and talking to everyone he knows to see if they have any direct connections to places that are hiring? Is there something about the nature of his resume/application that would lead a company to think he doesn’t really want the kind of job he’s applying for or is otherwise not a good fit? Anything that might cause age discrimination before they even talk to him?

If I was actively seeking work, I would not be wary necessarily of an online presence. I would do Linkedin. But I would be super sure that nothing with my name on it online would lead someone to think I wouldn't be a good employee. Like dissing "the man" on a facebook rant. Only saying this because I have seen it.

Have someone with a fresh eye look at his resume.

On another thread, I was telling about how my DD wasn't getting callbacks for summer jobs. We looked at her resume and cover letter(s) last week and made some suggestions to improve them. She's since rec'd two interview requests (yay!).

As outside playing suggests above, it is critical to have the right wording to match the job requirements. My DH does hiring and even if he knows someone is qualified, but they forgot to put it in writing, he is not allowed to interview them.

Also mentioned above is cold calling and (respectfully) reminding people he is interested can be very effective.

I got good advice here to have my DD (and us) use our connections. He must have made some connections in the business - now is the time for him to mention to them that he is looking for work.

Good luck to him. Looking for work can be stressful, but also fun imagining the possibilities.

I am also job hunting and it is very disheartening to hear nothing back. Last week I had a great phone interview and was invited to come this week for an in person interview. When I heard nothing about a date/time by Monday, I reached out to the small business owner only to find she hired someone that day. I hate to be pushy, but maybe that is what it takes. I feel like I may never work again...which is not what I'd prefer. I just can't work in my field, which is making a job search more difficult. No advice, just commiseration.

Jmck, good luck in your search! They say the labor market is very tight (lots of jobs, not many workers looking) so you'd think it would be easier to at least get a call back!

When my hubby left his retail job he swore he'd never go back to retail. He's applying for merchandising/warehouse-type jobs at the retailers, rather than in-store positions.

I think (hope!) rewriting his resume to focus more on experience and skills will help. The current version shows start and end dates, which very obviously points out that he isn't 20 years old (or even 40 LOL). I know they aren't supposed to discriminate by age, but...

Donna

This may not be for him but something to consider.

We have a friend, in his fifties, who was looking for part time work with hours he can control. He’s quite happy delivering for UBER Eats. Some of the local restaurants have had to add extra cooks to handle the orders that come in. His deliveries are usually to office complexes and medical facilities during lunch hours. (A few times he has delivered to the VA patient rooms.) He can control the areas he picks up the food from and where the deliveries are made.

Thanks, Maddielee! I'll mention that to him.

Or, if he likes driving in general Uber or Lyft. My nephew who works for Universal in Florida did this when he wanted to make extra cash. He was saving to go back to school. He would pick-p right outside of his work office and take drives going in the direction of his home.

Retail work is really unpleasant at the big box stores so he might try smaller retail shops like hardware stores, plumbing suppliers or lumberyards. Use Goggle to look them up in your area and check their websites for job openings, or just go visit and see if they are hiring.

I have had many older people Lyft and Uber drivers. Great flexibility.

I agree to look at UberEats or DoorDash. We order through DoorDash and all gratuities are paid through the app, so there is no money to handle. When we were at one restaurant, we could see people driving for Uber/Lyft and then also doing DoorDash or UberEats.

Do you have an Ace Hardware in your city? Our Ace Hardware store is a throwback in a good way. They have great people and unique products. Also, maybe a nursery or lawn and garden center since they will be ramping up seasonal hiring.

Another great job my cousin has in early retirement is driving autos back and forth for an auto dealer.

Gsciencechick, he's been trying to get in touch with the manager at Ace Hardware. One of his current coworkers used to work at the store so DH has someone who can give a good reference!

I'll have him look into the driving services. He does like driving and has a brand new car (another of the downsides of his job change was having to give up driving the company truck).

An aside - the other day we were in Publix (grocery store). They now offer shopping/delivery service and there was a lady wearing a T shirt that indicated she was one of the shoppers. She was tearing around the store with a cart as fast as she could so I assume they get paid by the job. I hope she doesn't hurt anybody! LOL

Donna

Interesting point, salonva. I'm getting ready to get back on the job market after a long hiatus and about to update my resume. Is it still a good idea to list schooling? Do we omit the graduating years?

I would absolutely list all formal post secondary education/training. Not years attended or graduated. But DO list degrees or certifications earned.

”He is wary of having an online presence.” This may very well be hurting him.

And one more thing. I was lucky in that I had a long successful career - only 2 positions in a 40+ year period. I got both those jobs because of WHO I knew, not WHAT I knew. Network, network, and network some more.

I started omitting graduate years when I hit 50. Today's resumes are about skills and qualifications anyway. Ageism is something to overcome. I'd even go so far as to suggest hair dye if he's got salt and pepper. All grey I think is ok for man. My husband has a greying beard that adds ten years to his still youthful appearance. If he was seriously looking for work I would advise him to shave it off. Beards are inadvisable in certain situations, sales being one of them.

Lots of heartening advice in this thread. msmeow, I wish your DH luck and persistence.

Salonva, his work experience consists of one retail job he had for 30 years, and the current pressure cleaning gig which he's been doing since 2014. :)

I Pink, his hair's more gray than black now. :) I'd guess he wouldn't be interested in changing it, but it's a good point to think about.

Right now he's in a blue funk about the situation, so I'm going to take a break from making suggestions (which probably sound like nagging to him).

Tartanmeup, good luck with your job search, too!

Donna

Don't worry, something will turn up! It always does! Helps to tell yourself that when you get in the job hunt funk. I know, I've been there!

My husband hates to think about marketing/selling himself too. He's an introvert who just wants to work in peace and not have to deal with interpersonal stuff. I get it, I really do. Hard to find work now days that isn't full of drama. And if you are lucky enough to find it, it could change overnight.

I can understand getting into a funk about it. It's not easy pitching ourselves out there. It requires a mindset shift and feels a bit like exercising after a long break. Working forgotten muscles.

I'm not that receptive to suggestions from my better half and would rather advice from a neutral party like a career counsellor or job agency. Perhaps there are similar avenues for him?

Thanks for the well wishes, Donna. Sending you both good thoughts. :)

msmeow, we had a retired neighbor who was a courier at a bank, he would drive their company car around to all their branches. I have also seen a few NAPA auto parts trucks lately with signs on them saying they are hiring drivers. These are small trucks. I think they drive their trucks delivering parts and tools to auto mechanics, again company vehicle. I would just call or go into these places to check, if this is something hubby may be interested in. They may direct you to someone else, but you never know.

Working in the same job for 30 years speaks to his loyalty...wow.

Don't know if it was mentioned, but check Glassdoor for reviews by former employees....agreed you'll mostly get folks who want to gripe, but checking the least worst probably will get you somewhere good...Also our local Lowes employees are great and it can't be too bad as there are a lot of retirees working there and they stay...so I think a big box hardware store is a ymmv sort of thing.

Agree about getting depressed constantly talking about it, but when my DH was out of a job, I would send him links (I did tons of "research" like that as I kind of like to do that) so that it wasn't a constant topic of conversation.

Have some people who are knowledgeable about hiring review your husband's resume and cover letter. Make sure he is to highlighting the skills and experience specific to the job for which he is applying.If he's filling out applications, make sure he is taking time to carefully fill them out and really be thoughtful to highlight how his particular skill set fits the job. When you're applying online (as you do for most jobs these days), the hiring manager or HR department have only this information to narrow down the candidates to the best ones to bring in for an interview.

I know you mentioned your husband is specifically looking for part time work. That may be the other challenge. Often there are fewer part time positions, so he may have to be prepared for more patience.

I wish your husband luck in the job hunt! It can take time, but hopefully with patience and persistence he will find something.

I found this article today on Yahoo News. I think it speaks to some of the pitfalls of job searching today. It is about how "recruiters" lie to job applicants, but it also applies even if the "recruiter" is an online job board like Indeed, Monster, Careerbuilder, etc. As many have pointed out, the key to getting a job is checking off all the boxes that say you are perfect for that job. Considering the time and effort that goes into that, you don't want to waste your time chasing false hopes or ephemeral jobs (the kind where people burn out in a matter of weeks so there is always an opening at the company). Also, there are a lot of sales jobs where all they are trying to do is get you to sell to your friends and family and then when you have exhausted your contacts, you're done. Very few of the "sales" positions end up being permanent, it's the recruiters that put people into sales that are permanent, and they are managing a constantly rotating group of "sellers." There are even job applications that are straight fishing for marketing information and filling out their forms will do nothing but get you on a list for tons of junk e-mails, snail mails and calls trying to sell you things. These sites are OK for finding leads, but be selective. Best leads don't often come from there, although I have found some that I have checked out in "real time" to see what's going on at the company, even if the information is up to date and the position still exists. Sometimes things have a life online that is way beyond what's happening for real, with the ease of "cut and paste." Good companies recruit through more personal contact, in the end. They may have a system, but they use it only as part of their tool kit, and often not that much. www3.forbes.com/leadership/ten-lies-recruiters-tell-job-seekers/?utm_source=related&utm_medium=referral