General Discussion

Deminpenn

(16,348 posts)

16. Out here in western PA,

Fri Oct 18, 2024, 07:52 PM

Oct 18

finding someone who can do handyman work is nearly impossible. You could work every day and probably name your price.

If you do good work and are reliable, you'd get a lot of word of mouth referrals.

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diane in sf democratsruletheday GenThePerservering raging moderate raccoon

69 replies

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Highlight:

Damn, finding a new job in middle age is a tough proposition... [View all] MLF1981 Oct 18 OP

Sometimes we need to take steps to reassure marybourg Oct 18 #1

Do you look younger if you shave your grey beard? I'm not usually good at guessing people's age, but grey or ... Jim__ Oct 18 #2

Think about this as a senior. pecosbob Oct 18 #3

That sucks. Happy Hoosier Oct 19 #60

Ageism is real.... I wish you the best of everything in your job search Farmgirl1961 Oct 18 #4

Take a tip from a woman: shave the gray beard off, use some dye on your head hair... Hekate Oct 18 #5

My hair is still coal black... MLF1981 Oct 18 #8

Lucky you with the coal black hair, and I'm sure the beard grooming makes a diff too... Hekate Oct 18 #12

Just remember, you can always grow the hair back after you get the job. Joinfortmill Oct 18 #33

If you go to the day labor again do this: Captain Zero Oct 19 #62

A couple of my kids went through the same thing. Mossfern Oct 18 #6

I used to work for one of the biggest companies in the world. MLF1981 Oct 18 #10

Thank you Mossfern Oct 18 #13

Man oh MAN does this thread touch a nerve with me.... democratsruletheday Oct 18 #37

PhD in a STEM discipline dwayneb Oct 19 #51

I can totally relate. n/t Drum Oct 18 #7

I am sorry for your struggles OC_Lars Oct 18 #9

"I worked part time at a specialty foods market" MLF1981 Oct 18 #11

Very cool OC_Lars Oct 18 #15

I have a friend who makes money working in people's houses...he makes a fortune in Ohio. Demsrule86 Oct 18 #14

Out here in western PA, Deminpenn Oct 18 #16

I'm in Western PA. That doesn't help me. I am not a handyman. I am a teacher with 18 years experience and a PhD AZLD4Candidate Oct 18 #29

I believe there are alternate ways to be certified in PA Deminpenn Oct 19 #45

Thank you. Already tried. DOE said it's up to districts. Districts want already certified AZLD4Candidate Oct 19 #46

Try contacting the school districts Deminpenn Oct 19 #47

I'm in Lawrence County. I have, through phone and email AZLD4Candidate Oct 19 #48

Will ask a few Deminpenn Oct 19 #50

Also, try this link Deminpenn Oct 19 #64

Same with West Michigan, which reminds me.... democratsruletheday Oct 18 #39

That's a huge problem where I live. If you're handy, you're golden. Joinfortmill Oct 18 #34

"People are desperate for someone to help them." This is true in this part of Wisconsin where I live. usaf-vet Oct 19 #55

I'm a long way from Wisconsin... MLF1981 Oct 20 #68

Networking. Asking friends, past co-workers, people in the same trades, etc. erronis Oct 18 #17

Guess I should say I've retired and restarted my career 3 times since I've been 70. erronis Oct 18 #19

It sure is, just a couple of quick thoughts. BootinUp Oct 18 #18

Retail loves older employees bevause Deminpenn Oct 18 #20

I'll be 66 years old in richdj25 Oct 18 #21

USAJobs stollen Oct 18 #22

Leave the corporate world behind PaxPixie Oct 18 #23

Welcome to DU ! KS Toronado Oct 18 #27

your first post you are offering advice Skittles Oct 18 #30

Welcome to DU PaxPixie! FM123 Oct 19 #53

Welcome to DU LetMyPeopleVote Oct 19 #63

Hiya PaxPixie jfz9580m Oct 21 #69

Ageism is so real.... infullview Oct 18 #24

Where are you located? Here in SoCal, we are always looking for people. 4lbs Oct 18 #25

Age discrimination is real. Elessar Zappa Oct 19 #57

Much appreciated... MLF1981 Oct 19 #67

"traditional" hiring is badly broken, and AI is destroying both sides of the table. usonian Oct 18 #26

East Tennessee. MLF1981 Oct 19 #65

Long way to California! usonian Oct 19 #66

When Pennsylvania refused to approve my out of state teacher certification because they do not have a AZLD4Candidate Oct 18 #28

I do not know where you live, but in every state and territory, there is a federally funded workforce center PatrickforB Oct 18 #31

Take heart and hang in. Sometimes hiring slows near the end of the year. Joinfortmill Oct 18 #32

apply for jobs you're overqualified for southmost Oct 18 #35

'...So much for their tired aphorism "A rising tide lifts all boats", huh?' bluboid Oct 18 #36

I was in the same boat as you about 15 yeas ago. kacekwl Oct 18 #38

It seems to me you have skills that would translate well to self-employment. There always seems to be a shortage diane in sf Oct 18 #40

That's what I was thinking too Unwind Your Mind Oct 19 #59

My husband finished out his project at age 64 GenThePerservering Oct 18 #41

It is happening to me now. And hard to prove in my field. JanMichael Oct 18 #42

I hear you. ellie Oct 18 #43

Thanks for the update jfz9580m Oct 18 #44

Hate to say it - consider moving dwayneb Oct 19 #49

My husband lost his factory job samplegirl Oct 19 #52

try Madison, Wisconsin Tetrachloride Oct 19 #54

Just a suggestion, shave off the grey beard, drugstore hair dye is not expensive... brush Oct 19 #56

Kick jfz9580m Oct 19 #58

I used to be in advertising, so I know the feeling. bif Oct 19 #61