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I have not worked outside of the home for over 15 years. Well, occasionally, I have done some cashiering and other minimum wage type jobs for a little spending money.
I have a Psychology degree, but have never used it.
We are getting by on what DH brings in, but it would be so nice to be able to put more in savings, and have the money to travel a bit.
But, being out of work for so long, is the situation hopeless for me? Honestly, I felt overwhelmed just looking through some career websites. I feel completely out of the loop.
Would it help if I went to an employment agency instead of trying to do this on my own?
Temp agencies were great when there were lot's of jobs, not sure how they are now but it wouldn't hurt.
Also, chat up the people at the places you go to now. One of my friends got a job at her veterinarians office as a part time receptionist, and I sometimes see adverts for jobs at local owned shops and businesses. Look locally, in newspapers or local job boards, NOT the big online sites. Since you want to travel you probably don't want a full time job with a bunch of responsibilities anyway. I went back to work after 20 years and it's a part time job that had tons of turnover before I got there. Everyone is so happy now.
If you do not go out there and look you will never know what is out there. Start locally - grocery and retail stores, small companies, temp agencies. One step at a time and do not get discourage if the first application does not pan out.
I have not worked outside of the home for over 15 years. Well, occasionally, I have done some cashiering and other minimum wage type jobs for a little spending money.
I have a Psychology degree, but have never used it.
We are getting by on what DH brings in, but it would be so nice to be able to put more in savings, and have the money to travel a bit.
But, being out of work for so long, is the situation hopeless for me? Honestly, I felt overwhelmed just looking through some career websites. I feel completely out of the loop.
Would it help if I went to an employment agency instead of trying to do this on my own?
You can use employment agency as well as look for something on your own as well as your local state job service office.
It's definitely not hopeless. With over 300 million people in this country alone it's a virtual certainty that many people with much more difficult circumstances than yours have re-entered the workforce and found great success. It all comes down to how bad you want it.
Look into local employment agencies that may have some job skills classes or training, temp agencies, part-time work, anything to get yourself back out there. Don't be too reliant on the internet and online job postings, but actually get out there and pound the pavement so to speak.
Don't get frustrated if it doesn't happen right away, just use those experiences as a way of learning how you can better sell your skills next time and you'll be back in the game in no time.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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If it's just for extra spending money, minimum wage is better than nothing. Here that's $9.32. Several people in your situation that I know have easily gotten jobs at the local supermarket, gas station store, or department store. The lower paying jobs have a lot of turnover, and you do have cashiering experience.
I have not worked outside of the home for over 15 years. Well, occasionally, I have done some cashiering and other minimum wage type jobs for a little spending money.
I have a Psychology degree, but have never used it.
We are getting by on what DH brings in, but it would be so nice to be able to put more in savings, and have the money to travel a bit.
But, being out of work for so long, is the situation hopeless for me? Honestly, I felt overwhelmed just looking through some career websites. I feel completely out of the loop.
Would it help if I went to an employment agency instead of trying to do this on my own?
My local community college has a course in Career Skills that was developed for people who hadn't worked in years or just wanted to learn new things and boost their confidence in the working world. It was a great class and I recommend it to my older, re-entering the workforce, friends. They teach everything from computer use to interviewing, resume making, personality evals, etc. etc.. It's only about six weeks so you might want to look into it. Other schools may call it by another name but I have seen the same program in different states/community colleges.
As for actually looking...don't check out the career websites. It'll just depress you. You can go to your local temp agencies, etc.. The good thing about temp jobs is that you can pick and choose jobs...at least I could when I worked temp jobs...so if you wanted a week off to travel, you could take it. It shouldn't be too hard to pick up a part time job since the turnover can be pretty steady. I guess it mostly depends on what you want to do, what type of job you want and if it's just for 'extra money' it doesn't really matter if it's cashiering or whatever. As long as you like doing it.
Try your school district. They are always looking for food service workers.
I thought about that before I got the job I have now. It would've been great to have weekends, holidays and summers off. What stopped me was the fact that I'd been working in food service for over thirty years and wanted OUT of it. But I think it would be a great job for anyone not burnt out on food service.
I also thought about being a school bus driver. After thinking that one over I decided I am not up to dealing with bus loads of kids multiple times a day.
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