Help Son help Dad
July 5, 2008 7:34 PM Subscribe
How can I help my unemployed Dad?
My Dad (age 55) has worked as a carpenter's assistant and general laborer for as long as I can remember (25 years) and has recently found himself our of work. How can I help him: a) write a resume when he has only had one job without many specific skills attached, and b) go through the process of looking for work when he hasn't done so in two decades?
My Dad (age 55) has worked as a carpenter's assistant and general laborer for as long as I can remember (25 years) and has recently found himself our of work. How can I help him: a) write a resume when he has only had one job without many specific skills attached, and b) go through the process of looking for work when he hasn't done so in two decades?
Home Depot and Lowes hire based on an application rather than a resume. They have divisions for installing their cabinetry that pay more than the sales assistants working the floor. But it might be important at this stage of his life to consider how much longer he wants/needs to be working, how much money he ought to make in that time, whether he needs health benefits, etc. My dad is 65+ and still working up on roofs. I wish he would have switched out to something physically easier, more stable, and with benefits when he was young enough to have been hired by a company. Things are pretty tough for him right now.
posted by xo at 7:45 PM on July 5, 2008
posted by xo at 7:45 PM on July 5, 2008
What sort of job is he trying to get? I'm sure he knows this much better than I do, but you get (many) construction jobs just by showing up on the site around 7 or 7:30 or 15 minutes before whenever work starts in your climate on some Monday or Tuesday morning with boots on, dressed to work. By "the site," I mean "site after site until you find one that is hiring." No resume required, just seem ready to work hard.
posted by salvia at 8:23 PM on July 5, 2008
posted by salvia at 8:23 PM on July 5, 2008
Check out the possibility of free counseling help for him from the state unemployment office (in California it is the called the Employment Development Department).
posted by metahawk at 10:47 PM on July 5, 2008
posted by metahawk at 10:47 PM on July 5, 2008
A friend of mine had a small construction/remodeling business for years that had barely made ends meet for him and his family. He was diagnosed w/ MS recently, at age 58. He could no longer do the demanding work he'd done for years, but was very welcome in a local lumber supply store where he puts together bids for construction packages for contractors. He loves it and they love him. His knowledge of many aspects of the industry got him a less physically demanding job with good benefits. I don't know how many of those skills your dad has, but perhaps more than he is aware of.
My husband (in a completely different field) who is 59 recently was out of work and paid someone who does resumes to put one together for him. It was amazing how she keyed in on the specific skills he had that he'd never have known to highlight, and how well she did it using words and terms that spoke to those skills in terms specific to the particular field he was looking in. He had two immediate job offers as a result of the excellent resume. He took one and started last month and loves his new position which looks to be a long-term job where he is really appreciated.
I don't know if either of those examples are helpful or not. However, in both cases, my friend and my husband, both in their fifties, ended up with jobs that utilize their special skills in new ways and each is well-compensated.
I wish you the very best. I'm sure your dad has done a lot right to have a son like you who cares for him in such a real and practical way. Blessings to you and to him.
posted by mumstheword at 11:05 PM on July 5, 2008
My husband (in a completely different field) who is 59 recently was out of work and paid someone who does resumes to put one together for him. It was amazing how she keyed in on the specific skills he had that he'd never have known to highlight, and how well she did it using words and terms that spoke to those skills in terms specific to the particular field he was looking in. He had two immediate job offers as a result of the excellent resume. He took one and started last month and loves his new position which looks to be a long-term job where he is really appreciated.
I don't know if either of those examples are helpful or not. However, in both cases, my friend and my husband, both in their fifties, ended up with jobs that utilize their special skills in new ways and each is well-compensated.
I wish you the very best. I'm sure your dad has done a lot right to have a son like you who cares for him in such a real and practical way. Blessings to you and to him.
posted by mumstheword at 11:05 PM on July 5, 2008
In the UK B&Q, a big home store chain similar to Home Depot, has a policy of employing older people because they know how to do things and what tools or materials are needed, so they can provide better customer service and more sales. Perhaps he could 'pitch' himself in this way to his local Lowe's or HD.
posted by essexjan at 12:08 AM on July 6, 2008
posted by essexjan at 12:08 AM on July 6, 2008
US-based answer:
Check into a local community college. Many have some kind of "mature workforce initiative" where they provide basic courses (like resume-writing or computer skills) to help older displaced workers get back into the work force.
If the c.c. isn't helpful, check with your county for the same type of program.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 8:43 AM on July 6, 2008
Check into a local community college. Many have some kind of "mature workforce initiative" where they provide basic courses (like resume-writing or computer skills) to help older displaced workers get back into the work force.
If the c.c. isn't helpful, check with your county for the same type of program.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 8:43 AM on July 6, 2008
What does your Dad want to do? Is he interested in staying in construction? If so, he might do well as a general handyman. Handyman Connection and Andy on Call are two that come to mind around here. I think working for them is about as easy as calling them up and asking for a job. My neighbor went to work for one of them a few years ago and was able to parlay that into his own handyman service. He stays busy and is able to charge a fairly high rate for what's mostly pretty light work. I imagine after 25 years as a carpenter's assistant, your pops would like to get out of the heavy lifting. Good luck.
posted by lost_cause at 2:31 PM on July 7, 2008
posted by lost_cause at 2:31 PM on July 7, 2008
« Older Barcelona: Hotel Regina vs Prestige Passeo de... | Would I need an anti-keylogger for Vista? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Rock Steady at 7:39 PM on July 5, 2008