I HAVE to find a job!
How do you go about figuring out what to do, especially in THIS job market, when you have done only three jobs in your adult life? I know my strengths, but I also know my weaknesses, and I’m having trouble believing that someone would care to hire someone my age, with the skills I have to offer.
I feel a bit overwhelmed.
I knew there would come a day when my husband and his partner disbanded their company. Our partner is older, and has already reached retirement age. Dear Husband is coming up on it quickly. Unfortunately, I’m a bit younger than they are, and still need to work.
My youngest sister suggested that I might be working for MickeyD for a few years. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be able to do a job that requires I stand all day.
I can remember driving my mother somewhere, talking about this situation. It must have been eight or ten years ago, so I was concerned about it even then. At the time, I was worried about having to work away from home, when Mother might need me. I turned to her and flippantly said, “Pehaps I’d be a success at phone sex!” Not a rise……not even an eye roll.
I am so envious of those of you who can reinvent yourselves and move on with your lives. I need to get out of my rut, and figure out what I might be able to do that pays more than minimum wage.
I presently manage an office of one. I use Quick Books (with occasional help from the CPA), Word, and Excel. On the right keyboard, I can probably type roughly 60 wpm. (I plan to ditch the streamlined keyboard I have and go back to an older model with higher keys and a caps lock light.) For my present company I am responsible for Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, banking, filing, and I am the back up Payroll person. I determine expenses per job and provide material waivers. I am a notary public. I also manage an LLC which rents two business condos. I can do double entry manual bookkeeping, but I doubt there is a company left that doesn’t do it’s books electronically.
In another life I was a grade school band director. I don’t wish to substitute. It’s a whole different world out there since I last taught, and I’m not prepared to deal with kids on a daily basis. However, from that experience I bring the ability to organize large groups of people, to plan goals, and determine the steps necessary to reach those goals. I’m trying to apply those abilities to my current situation, but it’s easier to do when you are not focusing on your own needs.
I have the feeling that this is going to be an on-going series of posts. Feel free to jump in with suggestions, or tell me to stop whining. The door is open.