Is anyone else is struggling with being over 55 and having their careers destroyed by changing employment practices.

[Thirsty_Dingo]

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone else is struggling with being over 55 and having their careers destroyed by changing employment practices. Eg. Having extensive skills qualifications and experience but employers not acknowledging this or reflecting it in their wages. And/Or the current trend toward Casual employment. I have worked hard over the years to develop my self within my career and have been quite senior in the past in a range of area's. However now all I seem to be able to get is positions that are way below my pay grade and experience level. Still recovering financialy from the ravages of a nasty divorce, I need the higher levels of pay just to catch up but just keep getting used and abused by employers. They want me because of my skills, quals and experience but refuse to pay you at appropriate levels. For the moment I have given up and just become a bus driver and spend my days at the wheel wondering what has happend to the world.

[Debzo]

Hi Thirsty Dingo

Aging certainly has its challenges, things that worked for us twenty years ago no longer do and you have to be creative. Use the skills you have in different ways and don't be afraid of casual work. In casual work the pay per hour is higher and sometimes you'll have time to work on other things like building your own income stream in your field. While some people still leave their careers at the pinnacle I think careers are becoming more curved and as we age we are seen as less desirable employees. Surely if we are expecting others to pay us what we are worth we can back ourselves and develop our own work? Aging actors do this all the time. Most big roles for older actors are in roles which they have created and produced themselves.

Best of luck

Debzo

[Thirsty_Dingo]

Thanks for the advice Debzo, I took a moment to think about what I might be able to create as you surgested. If I interperate what you are saying... its essentaly... create a product or a nich and sell that. There are two or three possibilities I might be able to do something with. To be honest... I think it is the calm before the storm... I don't lie down easily.... I am just tired... I am not 30 any more and my creativity is still there... its the follow through thats wained. But anyway thanks... I will make that first call !

[Debzo]

🙂 I don't know your skill set but there's also consultancy which is really selling your knowledge and skills. I've had a different path but ended up in a similar position. After not having to apply for jobs for a number of years (they came to me) it's been much harder this time. We have also moved to regional Victoria due to the cost of real estate in Melbourne. Getting knocked back time after time is soul destroying and yes tiring because putting in applications is time consuming. I have eventually got a pretty good job for my expertise and the area but it is only thirty hours a week and it's casual. I'm using my extra time to study so that I'll hopefully be able to get a better job in an area that there is a lot of demand for here.

Good Luck 🙂