Finding a job at the age of 60...is it possible?

Question

My education is: diplomas for Office Receptionist/Legal Clerical and Medical Clerical. Certificates for Ward Clerk/Geriatric Aide/Nursing Assistant and Medication Aide. I am 60 years old. My last job was 1/92. I was a Med Aide with no med or documentation errors. I need a job but feel too old to begin again as a CNA (heavy lifting). I use our public transit. I am scared to death of failing. Should I go back to college to become a Medical Assistant (then will be 61)? Am I too old to be hired? Help!!!

Answer 1

well i am 48 and i dont think it is never ever to old to follow your dreams but i do think life's skills should be enough to get hired its sad at your age u have to work but the politicians in this country no longer are taking our senior group into real thought try getting a FEW INTERVIEWS i think u will be able to sell yourself into a gr8 position go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

You sound like you think you are old. My mother is over 60, and she isn't near old yet. And there are many others her age who are also not seeming very old. I would certainly hire my mom or someone like her.

The harder part is the length of time since you worked. But you were a Med Aide, and you can be again, if you can easily explain your time away from the workforce. I assume you were not needing to work, or were caring for someone during that time. Be sure to bring up your reasons for not working in your cover letter, so they know why you are reentering the workforce.

That being said, I would recommend you try nursing homes in your area. My father was recently in one, and I can tell you that there were a lot of young idiots working there, but there were some nice people too -- and they were all older. The older you are the more easily the older residents will work with you. A med aide would not require a lot of heavy lifting, but would require a lot of walking.

If you are not up to walking, you may want to see if you can try as a medical office receptionist -- you know a little about medicine, and can easily take on a position like that.

Good luck on your new job.

Answer 3

I am 61, left my job 14 months ago due to my husbands stroke and now that he is better I have been applying for hundreds of jobs. Never get a response except for once in a dental practice that I have 25 years experience in. They were so impressed and secure in my hiring after I did a 4 hour work interview and would contact me after she spoke with her district manager. Guess what? I didn't get it but a really young worker did. I have 35 years experience in office, management and marketing but don't hear anything. I cannot do 4 to 6 hours of standing and lifting at department stores and that's the only ;thing left to try. I have given up hope and I really want to work and plan on it for several more years.

Answer 4

There is a definite law against age discrimination. I worked for a brief period for the E.O.C., Equal Opportunity Commission, and they do investigate reports of age discrimination in the field of employment. However, it is much harder to get a good-paying job after you've passed your prime, so to speak. And how many well-qualified folks want to start out at entry-level pay? Your main disadvantage would probably be the 15-year period that you haven't worked. However, you do have some good education and experience, which should be in your favor. You can take some additional college courses and still be working at the same time. I don't think you're too old to be hired. You just need to find the employer who is looking for someone with your background. It never hurts to try, so go for it! Good luck!

Answer 5

You aren't too old, but it gets harder even after 50, moreso after 60, especially since you've been out of the workforce for so long. Some hiring managers like to hire older people though, since they feel that they've been around awhile and understand work ethic.

I'm not sure at this point that going back to school to be a med asst would really be a good idea, or that it would open any doors for you.

Good luck.

Answer 6

Nobody who wants to work is too old to be hired. You can check with your local social services or job center and they may be able to point you in the right direction.

Many businesses find it advantageous to hire the more mature person, as they tend to be very responsible and will perform the duties of the job very well.

You may also want to check with your local hospitals, assisted living facilities and nursing homes, they are usually looking for people for their offices, you would not have to worry about lifting clients, and you would still be connected to the work that you have done in your past.

I have a few neighbors who found themselves widowed in their sixties and went back to work in these types of positions.
They hadn't worked in decades, but all went to interviews with a positive attitude and had success.

The following is a bit of a comment to others who are being negative about this whole topic:

For the people who cut down being greeters at Walmart or working at McDonalds, it is much better to have a job than living off of welfare, or your life's savings or sitting around feeling useless and staring at the four walls of your home.

Do not cut down others because they are older than you, you should be thanking them for making the world an easier place for you. You will be older someday, and wanting to be a vital part of society....bet you will remember the day you tried to make little jabs about the person asking this question.

We all become older sometime, it beats the alternative!

Answer 7

It is tough as we age to get a job, as I found out the same thing. There is age descrimination, even though it officially does not exist, as employers would rather hire 2 younger people, train them their way, and pay them nothing, than pay an older person, who at some point, will have medical issues.
But, don't give up before you begin. Get help on resume writing as it is different than when we were kids. Ask around friends and family, if they can help, or know someone looking for good help. There are local and state organizations to train you in how to get a job.

Answer 8

go back to college,, you are never to old to keep working or go to school,,, there are jobs out there that can keep you working,,, it is all in what you want to do and capable of doing... If you are good at the clerical part, look into working at hospitals in the clerical part...

look into jobs that will not require you doing a lot of heavy lifting.. thought about being a Pharmacy tech,, I hear the college is short and good paying job.. not a Pharmacist,, unless you want to

I dont know what is available in your town.. you have to look around.. not working for so long may limit your chances,, but if you look into it you might find what you are looking for,, my aunt is around your age, and she still works in a nursing home, but does not do all the heavy lifting,,

good luck

Answer 9

I can tell you that as a former H/R manager I consider citizens your age imminently employable!!!!!!!! You want to work and understand the rules and ethics required. This is important aoi do not sell yourself short. Now ... Medical Assistant can somethimes be physically taxing and on a case by case basis potential employers may need to take that into consideration. Have you every worked as a receptionist? It is the most under-rated job in the United States! If you have, you are so employable it is not even funny. Go for it! Go for it! Go for it!

Answer 10

Nobody is ever too old to do anything. However I would imagine that due to your age, a company may not hire you because they'll be afraid of losing you to retirement soon. I don't know what kind of job you're specifically looking for, but places like Wal-Mart and Mervyns hire older people.

Answer 11

No, you aren't too old to find a job or get hired. If you don't feel comfortable doing what you had been employed as, how about something in a similar field using your old skills? You have to get out there and start looking, they are not coming to look for you. Good luck.