Job ideas for 61 yr old Mom?

September 18, 2007 10:44 AM

Job ideas for my 61 y.o. Mom. No college, 7 years in mortgage broker business last year on her own (thus the question). 27 years management experience. Health not so good (heart issues). Any ideas?
posted by swiffa to work & money (8 comments total)

My father, about the same age, delivers coffee to local offices. He doesn't run the business, he's just a driver and occasional repairman. What he loves about it is it keeps him out of the house, he's busy, he gets to meet people, and the hours are very loose. He also gets free coffee. Maybe you can find a similar position with a local business that needs a receptionist or some other light work. You could try asking at a temp agency.

This all assumes she needs the work for the money. If she just wants to be busy, there's lots of volunteer options instead that should be much easier, like library volunteer, literacy tutor, etc.
posted by chairface at 11:20 AM on September 18, 2007

Why does she need a job? Money issues? Boredom? does her health preclude her from working as a mortgage broker? Why not just keep doing that?
posted by delmoi at 11:29 AM on September 18, 2007

I asked a related question that might give you helpful answers. Unfortunately, if she's after a living wage and/or benefits, it can be very difficult. Right now I'm looking into more passive income ideas for my parents, like buying a rental property.
posted by xo at 11:38 AM on September 18, 2007

Why does she need a job? Money issues? Boredom? does her health preclude her from working as a mortgage broker? Why not just keep doing that?

Unfortunately it's money issues: she'd love to keep working as a mortgage broker but business is next to none at this point, and the bills keep piling up. I'd be able to help her with the situation more if I wasn't financially DOA myself.
posted by swiffa at 12:19 PM on September 18, 2007

Around tax-time she could probably get a job at HR Block. My mother did this about 5 years ago. They will train her. Coming from a financial background should help as well. The down-side is that they don't pay that well. The up-side is that with a little experience and the training she gets, she can open her own business or do taxes for friends and family (for a fee!). My mother eventually took some test to become an "enrolled agent" which I think is some sort of stamp of approval from the IRS.
posted by philad at 2:05 PM on September 18, 2007

Your Mom seems smart enough to handle work in the airline reservations industry featured here:

$12/hr is not not a lot of money but you get minimally taxing work and she can see the world for free in her old(er) age!
posted by narebuc at 3:32 PM on September 18, 2007

Could she work as a consultant? You said she had management experience. I could make some suggestions if you could outline what area that is in.
posted by acoutu at 3:44 PM on September 18, 2007

In the short term, I'd recommend going to a temp agency. They now even have ones for lawyers, etc., so she might find one that could place her in a field she's interested in. When I temped for a year, I was offered a job at each place I temped. It's a good way to get your foot in the door and have people get to know you.
posted by la petite marie at 9:48 PM on September 18, 2007