Replies

“Retirement jobs for 55-plus job seekers”

Hi Cindy,

First, I’d like to thank you for doing a yeoman’s job on this thread. It’s a wonderful resource you’ve created here.

I’m 56, and have been running my own business(es) for close to 15 years now. I’m a construction professional, specializing in sheet metal and metal gutter systems.

Things have gotten downright ugly in the construction trades these last few years. A lot of my fellow contractor friends are near to throwing in the towel, and trying to find another way. I’m hurting just as badly as they are.

Having been my own man for such a long time now, I’m not real keen on trying to re-enter the job market. I honestly don’t believe that I can make the same level of income working for someone else, as I have done working for myself.

I get up every morning still feeling like I’m “in business”, and that I can always make a sale to keep the bills paid. That’s gotten harder, and harder to do over the last three years.

I’ve have to make a living. I’ve got a wife and four young children depending on me to make it go right. Mostly, my problem is in getting the word out to enough people about my services, to keep our income at sufficient levels.

My question is this: is there a thread posted at FR where small business people are promoting their services? I’m not sure if this is the proper thread for me to do that, although it’s the same thing as looking for work.

Thanks for any help.

From your post, Windflier said in part: “I’ve have to make a living.”

That is the rub.

I remember one year I was unemployed.
There was no “perfect” job for me.
I worked 4 part times jobs (temporary) at one point and 1 very low paying job which included benefits until I did get hired at the job I wanted. I did all this while going to college at night.

I can’t say I could do that again (I felt like I had a caffeine buzz for quite awhile), but I can say that even in my old age and skills; I could work for someone again if I ever needed the money.

Well enough about me, let’s see what I would do if I were in your shoes.

First, I would advertise my business in throw-away new papers. I would make a web site for my business and post it up on the internet and add it to Google right away. (http://www.google.com/addurl ).

I would post a video on youtube, motionbox, dailymotion, liveleak regarding your business.

I would hand out flyers where legally allowed to and post my business card/flyer in areas where that option is available.

I would go down to your local unemployment office and see what the job binders/bulletins have to offer.

OH AND GREAT NEWS — maybe. Home remodeling is the in thing these days. More people are electing to stay close to home and home improvement/remodeling is the big thing. There may be a niche in there for you.

I hope that helps a bit.

Cindy

I would go work for someone as a side business until your own business has all the business it can handle.

Here's a thread Yaelle started you may wish too look at:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2354853/posts

Vanity: Are There Freepers Wishing to Hire Other Freepers?
inquiring mind | 10/04/09 | self
Posted on October 4, 2009 4:33:18 PM PDT by Yaelle

We have some FReepers desperate to get back into the workforce after being laid off, with families to support. Great guys and gals who believe the way you believe. If they are local to you, wouldn't you prefer to give one of them the chance over just anyone off the street?