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Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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That depends on what you have in the way of motivation, self discipline and ambition. Doom as you described it is one of many options, the most likely if the person does nothing. The first step, at minimum, is HS diploma or GED. Of the people few I know of in that or similar situation:
1. Did have HS diploma, went to college ate age 40 and is now a very successful nutritionist at a local hospital
2. Works on an "as needed" basis for FEMA at various locations where disasters occur
3. Got GED, then went to community college for an AA, got a job as a mail messenger at a local public agency at about $15/hour with great benefits
Check at your public library and nearest high school about an over-40 "job club" as well as how GEDs are being handled in your area.
Your first step is to get the GED and then start networking with other older adults, as well as getting clear about your jobs interests, what you can and can't stand.
For example, once you get the GED, if you can handle changing the diapers of seniors and other personal aid chores, you could become a Certified Nurse Aide (or whatever they are calling it now) -- it's generally a six week program -- and get a crappy job in a nursing home until you build up some experience and money and can go for RN training and a higher level job.
Or, you might luck into something in food service that only requires the GED.
That's a start.
Bear in mind that most of the jobs, short of really crap jobs in fast food, are going to require at least a GED, so do what you can to get that. Don't worry! There's help. You'll just have to ask around for it, but you're certainly NOT the only one with this problem.
What happens if you're on the wrong side of 40 and
never did anything with your life. Including......
No graduating high school
Never had a job before
Little to no social interaction
Are you doomed to never have a job then and be
looked at as less desirable than a felon in the job world?
I know that this will not sound fun, but try applying at all the low-wage service sector type jobs, like restaurants, retail, and call centers. Many of these companies have extremely high employee turnover rates and are desperate enough to hire anyone. I think that the biggest problem with having no work experience at that age is that many of the managers will probably assume that you're lying to cover up being fired multiple times in the past for "something bad" (e.g. sexual harassment). Just try sounding and looking as honest as possible when they inevitably ask during the interviews why you never had to work.
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