Ideas, anyone?
So, my mom is looking for a second job. It needs to be something with flexible enough hours that she still has time to do real estate stuff when needed, and also where she doesn’t have to be out of the house for 8 straight hours a day, since my dad can’t be left alone for that length of time. She’s concerned about finding something that pays a decent wage, as someone her age and with no college education. Of course, age discrimination is illegal, but it’s one of those things just like other insidious forms of discrimination… you have to prove it. Which can take away time and energy people need to devote to other things (like finding a job).
She is looking into a part-time property management position opening up at the real estate office where she has her license; if that worked out and paid decently, it would probably be ideal. I just worry that the broker might try to low-ball her and/or that she’d end up too busy with this added to everything else on her plate.
I suggested Starbucks, because: 1) they pay a competitive wage for that type of job (supposedly, anyway); 2) they are big on diversity; I have seen plenty of people my mom’s age and older working there; 3) employees have access to health insurance if they work 26 hours a week (BIG PLUS); 4) the hours would be flexible; 5) she was a bartender for years, so making lattes would be a cinch.
She said everything she’s been seeing in the newspaper pays like $8-$10 an hour . (She made a comment about that being more than minimum wage but still not enough to live off of, and I wondered for a fleeting second, could my mom actually turn Democrat? But I digress…) She’s probably going to go to an employment agency and see what all is available. I’m worried that she won’t be able to find something that pays much more than that, especially in Augusta where cost of living is low (but of course, “cost of living” estimates don’t include piles of medical bills), and because damn near every job now, even if it’s just working at a cash register, lists a college education as a requirement even if it makes no sense.
So this is a very long-winded way of saying, does anyone out there have any bright ideas? Here is stuff she has done: Realtor in Augusta for ~21 years; before that, bartender and waitress for many years; before that, worked at a bookstore and at one point did a ~6-month stint at Ingram Book Company in Nashville, in the accounts receivable department.
I’ve put my thinking cap on and will be brainstorming like crazy. What say you, blog readers? Help my mom find a job!
Retail stores are very flexible with the hours and times if you find the right one. I would specifically say The Gap because they are big on hiring a diverse staff and don;t like to schedule anyone over 15 hours a week. The store I used to work for would guarantee me 8 hours a week but only schedule be in 2-3 hour shifts and I could pretty much pick which days I wanted to work.
I would also look for part time Admin positions. They usually pay well and offer flexible hours as long as she is “reachable” which is no different that the real estate stuff she is probably already doing.
I once worked for a staffing agency that offered health insurance on an assignment with a 30-35-hour schedule. I wonder how many of those type of opportunities are around in this economy.
Library. Okay, I know, I’m promoting my own field per se, but really, if there’s a library assistant opening, your mom would definitely quality. They typically only ask for a HS diploma, they often want part-time people, and in most places if you work over a certain number of hours you’ll get benefits.
There are any number of large job bank websites out there (LIS Jobs for example) that will allow you to find openings in your area. If you have any questions or need any help feel free to email me.
A library is a great idea, Tim! Can’t believe I didn’t think of that. Thanks for suggesting it.
I have no advice; but (along with wishing her luck) wanted to note your adoption of the tilde :p
Heh. Well, I’ve always used the tilde when typing to stand in for the squiggly equals sign (representing “approximately”) – but I will have you know that I recently updated my signature in my work email and included several tildes!
LOL Well, if nothing else, you know I am reading “you” and noting the smallest detail… But in a “I respect you” sort of way ~ not the scary stalker kind of way. ;)