I think I'm going to be offered a job next week. I'm scared stiff.

[Paper Roses]

I want to work and this job is in the field where I've spent many years earning my living. My problem is that I am now older, I need a job but I am aware there is great stress with this job. If it is offered, I hope I can stand up to the pressure of the work involved. Inside sales, base plus commission. Need I say more? You make nothing unless you sell like a son-of-a-gun. It was fine when I was younger but now that I am 67, It scares the devil out of me. If I say no, I'll be considered a jerk and will also lose my unemployment--which is about to run out anyway. By this age, I had hoped top be retired. These old bones just can't do as much any more. I have no option but to try and find work since I was laid off. My old job was great, this one I am familiar with. Worked with them before and it is a little unnerving to face this again. I have been unsuccessful in all my other attempts to find work.

Yes, Virginia, there is age discrimination. Seniors are having a real bad time.
I would never think about this job if there was viable job market now.

I'm scared stiff.

[azmouse]

1. I wish you the best on this job.

You may just surprise yourself and enjoy the job once you get started.

It's ok to have butterflies in your stomach. Just get them to fly in order! You'll be fine. :hug:

[WinterParkDonkey]

2. Just my 2 cents....

First of all, you should be proud of the fact that at 67 years old, you are still out there and can find a job. So congrats on that one. I think you are afraid that you can't cut it any more, but forget that. Just do as good a job as you can. If this company is willing to hire a 67 year old person they must be pretty progressive, so just chill.

I was a secretary/office manager for over 30 years. In 2006 I left state employment to take a chance on a start-up company that promised me the world. After six months I went into the office one day and a sign was on the door that said, "Office Closed. We have returned to Caracas>" I couldn't even get unemployment because they never had an account. My husband (he has since died) was on three times a week dialysis so I needed a job -- any job. This is when things started drying up in Central Florida job wise. I applied for a waitress job at a local restaurant and they hired me. I had never worked as a waitress but I had to swallow my pride and I found out I liked doing it. The work was hard -- we open at 7am so we have to be there about 6am. But I started making pretty decent tips and they had health insurance which is unusual in food and beverage. Ins ix months there was a management change and guess who was promoted -- ME I couldn't believe it. Its now been over 2 years and I'm still there. I really enjoy my job. I think you will too. I know that this sounds corny, but life is an adventure every day. God Bless You!

[Demoiselle]

3. Your bones may be older. But they're also wiser.

You may well find that you operate much more efficiently now...with all that experience to guide you. I'm terribly impressed that you have found this job.
All the best.

[rbnyc]

4. Your feelings are so natural.

Anxiety is a bitch. I was up all night the other night worried about some politics at work and I was thinking, whatever crap I go through in my life, the worst part of it is always what I do to myself. Also I was thinking, the worst thing that can happen is that I can be fired. But that doesn't change what I have to do: act in good faith, stay true to my training, try to be good to others, stay open to learning...do what I know how to do. If that doesn't work, then I have to trust that I meant to be somewhere else.

Your fear is so understandable and real and valid. My dad always says, "Notice it and let it go."

The worst thing that can happen is that it won't work out. There's a certain amount of horror in that in these times, I know, but it doesn't change what you have to do.

I'm kind of rambling, please forgive me. I really sympathize with your post. I'm glad you expressed what your going through. But you know what to do.

I wish you all the best. I'm totally pulling for you.