Looking for advice

31 Comments

1. AnonymousJuly 27,2022 at 8:45PM UTC

   Not sure how active you are able to be but have you thought of mystery shopping?

2. Michelle820July 27,2022 at 9:11PM UTC

   Thank you. Yes but all the ones I have seen require you to buy something in the store.

3. Joy KnowltonJuly 29,2022 at 1:06PM UTC

   what are the BEST companies?

   I’ve heard many are “rip offs “?

4. AnonymousJuly 27,2022 at 9:21PM UTC

   I am still unclear on what kind of flexibilities you need? If you need to keep periodic medical appointments, You probably can still take leave but it would be unpaid leave in the beginning until you accrue enough time. If you have a spouse/domestic partner that can cover your medical benefits, maybe opt to work part time, so you are only working 4hrs/day or opt for positions where you can do maxiflex hrs.

5. Michelle820July 28,2022 at 6:14PM UTC

   Thank you, I have my ones that are of town n usually gone for a week. My other appointments are during the week. What are maxiflex hrs?

6. AnonymousJuly 28,2022 at 6:42PM UTC

   Thanks for the clarity. Maxi flex is when you work 80hrs in. 2 week period but you can flex your hrs to work I.e 10hrs on certain days it can vary to where you can leave early or not come in on a day since you already worked the 80 hrs. It can vary from company to company since some places limit work to 10hrs a day where other places it’s 12 hrs or into the weekend. So if you flex your time may give you the latitude to still make your appts

7. AnonymousJuly 28,2022 at 1:08PM UTC

   I have been driving for Uber Eats for a few months. I have done some calculations of income vs. gas money for several trips, and sometimes it works out to about $5.00/hour and sometimes $17.00/hour. It's somewhat addictive, because every time I log on I don't know what will happen, but I also like the variety and the opportunity to see neighborhoods I've never been to before. I finally found a job 11 months after being laid off, but the pay is low and I will continue driving for Uber Eats in my new location. One drawback is that the busy hours are dinner time, and that messes up my own eating schedule. I have to be sure to eat beforehand in order not to think "I just made some money, so I can afford a big milkshake now!"

   Grub Hub and Door Dash pay more, but they aren't accepting new drivers in my area, so I'm kind of stuck with UE for now.

8. Michelle820July 28,2022 at 6:15PM UTC

   Thank you

9. JenniferJuly 30,2022 at 11:31PM UTC

   Have you checked out Instacart and Shipt? I haven't ever been a shopper, but I'm a loyal customer!

10. Amy GeffenJuly 29,2022 at 12:10PM UTC

    What are your best skills? What do you like to do? Once you have figured out the answers you can identify potential jobs - e.g. customer service jobs are available and you work from home by phone. Data entry? can be done at home.

11. Sami MacKayJuly 29,2022 at 12:30PM UTC

    AARP has some amazing info on their website for how to figure out “what’s next?” At 59, I ended up struggling to find employment in my 2nd career and reluctantly ended up back in bedside nursing (my 1st career). Suffice it to say 6 years later and post pandemic, I’m over it. Burnout doesn’t come close to describing what each shift does to me. Over worked, understaffed and with families whose expectations are beyond ridiculous and patients who are rude, combative or just plain miserable, I’m done. AARP has been fabulous at helping me look at the options, update my resume to get past ATS and ageism and to think outside the box. Best $16 a year ever spent, imho.

12. Afo Ogbeyalu KaluJuly 29,2022 at 12:39PM UTC

    You didn't specify your skills-set with us, so it is a bit difficult to provide concrete advice. That being stated, if you possess administrative/strong clerical skills, consider getting online paralegal training. Alison.com offers free certificate training, and I'm noticing more and more law firms and corporations posting remote opportunities for administrative staff, and the hours are flexible, in that the priority is in completing projects within a timeframe, as opposed to, clocking in 9-5. Best of luck!

13. Afo Ogbeyalu KaluJuly 30,2022 at 7:40PM UTC

    Fairygodboss jobs posting board had remote positions from Prudential and Meta that may "fit the bill" . . . .

14. Shari MarkowitzJuly 29,2022 at 12:51PM UTC

    have you tried the local library, grocery / drug store; sometimes just stopping in and asking in person can help you find something you wouldn’t have seen online and that is close to home - good luck !

15. Anita BergerJuly 29,2022 at 1:04PM UTC

    Try ratracerebellion.com

    they have many different remote jobs from travel to medical industries. It is legitimate. See if the place you’re seeking care from has some type of job you could do for them during the time you’re there

16. AnonymousJuly 29,2022 at 1:20PM UTC

    The Dept. Of Labor has some awesome free workshops, for example Tranferable Skills, resume and cover letter writing, the 50+ job search, virtual job fairs and more. Plus you can search for jobs on their site.

    If you're collecting unemployment you'd have free access to Coursera which has a lot of potentially useful courses. (Wish I knew that before I spent a ton of money on a course!)

    Good luck in your search!

17. AnonymousJuly 29,2022 at 1:35PM UTC

    Have you any interest in medical coding? You work remotely. It’s a rigorous training and exam but a good field to look into. Best wishes in your job search!

18. Maggie StoneJuly 29,2022 at 1:56PM UTC

    Are there any skills or talents you could use for a side hustle (e.g jewelry making, dog walking, bookkeeping)? You could also sign up with a temporary agency. Many agencies will let you decline assignments if you’re not available. Good luck.

19. AnonymousJuly 29,2022 at 2:00PM UTC

    I like the idea someone recommended of talking with a staffing agency. Because they work with so many roles, they may be able to help you identify one that would meet your needs,

20. Sabine MorrowJuly 29,2022 at 2:40PM UTC

    You can do that but I also strongly suggest you have a side hustle, just to cover your bases. A few people have suggested that on this thread. You can offer your services on the sites mentioned or Etsy for example. You can work several part time jobs then have enough funds to cover you when you are gone for 3 months. Some companies were experimenting with job-sharing. I've not heard much about this in recent years but if you could share a job with someone who fills in the 3 months you are away that would be perfect.

21. AnonymousJuly 29,2022 at 5:03PM UTC

    Finding two part time jobs that complement one another is mission impossible. "Consulting" is this catch all term. I don't know who all these "consultants" are, but to me it does not seem feasible unless you are someone with extremely high level C suite type corporate finance skills, or at least ran a business successfully.

    In other words, "consulting" is the worst kind of sales job because you have to sell yourself constantly.

    Of course, there are many transferrable skills (another buzzword), and we are supposed to be "lifelong learners" (check!!). But try putting those baseless feelgood platitudes into practice.

    Of course, when I do find something I don't last more than a few months. It seems that getting along with people has now also become something I cannot do. Nevermind that I never used to have problems with my co-workers, but now the workplace has become so micromanagey toxic that they want to get rid of you asap if you do so much as suggest an improvement.

    I know it sounds arrogant of me to think that I might have a better way of doing things. But I always do. The problem is that nowadays nobody will listen to you. Manager's are trained to shut down any suggestions as the sign of a trouble maker and you will be gone in a second.

    Of course, because I like money more than helping people (I resent having to impart simple excel tricks to people who make five times as much as I do and refuse to even listen to what I have to say). Thus, my MO is to drop it and forget all about it. But even then it is too late. You will already be branded as a trouble maker.

    (At least that is how it was at the two NYC agencies I temped at).

    Anyway, I have zero marketable skills and a bad "introvert" personality type. Thus, I am totally unsuited to the 21st century workforce in which all the technological bean counter tasks I enjoy are being outsourced, and all the sales type of tasks that I detest are all anyone wants.

    If Putin is hiring trolls to persuade people that Capitalism sucks, I am more than qualified for THAT job.

    They promised technology would "free us up" to do only the fun work. NOT True. What AI is doing is taking all the fun work that I know how to do.

22. Anesa RiveraJuly 29,2022 at 2:14PM UTC

    Hi-

    you didn’t mention what qualifications you have, that would help us provide more specific advice in line with your qualifications.

    Not sure if you heard of the site Fiverr.com it is a freelance website where people sign up and offer various services for a fee. Some services I saw offered on there can be anything from proofreading documents, to translation services, bookkeeping to even knitting or crocheting items for people.

    You can go on there to see what type of services are offered and if you think it’s something for you, you can advertise your services on there for a fee as well.

    I know how it is when you have to take care of your health and have to always go to appointments like that.

    Good luck!

23. AnonymousJuly 29,2022 at 2:32PM UTC

    Would you able to do consulting work?

24. Shelby CJuly 29,2022 at 6:41PM UTC

    I am chronically ill. The struggle to find an employer that will work with us can be challenging; however, it is your RIGHT. You also have options.

    You have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share. You could do consulting work.

    Uber Eats is the safer option out of the others and it actually pays better. In the current climate, the only real way to make money is to do it in an EV. I used to prepare taxes and met a lot of people that were trapped into a relationship with Uber because they had purchased a new, high-end car, so I wouldn't ever recommend getting a car for that purpose. Plus, you have to think of the real cost of doing business. There is a lot of wear and tear on your car. People have to be very savvy to make money. It is rare and not as often as Uber and Lyft claim - or as easy. It is a GIG. You are essentially borrowing from your future self because you are putting so many miles on your vehicle.

    With Covid, one of the good things that has happened is that a lot of jobs that were previously in person are now WFH or hybrid. A lot of my friends who were forced to go in daily, don't go in at all or go in one day a week. It is less expensive for employers (lower overhead) and better for the Earth. I would look for a job that has transitioned to home that will allow flexibility. You want to target a corporation with over fifty employees. Then, you will be protected under FMLA for your time off.

    Please remember your worth. You need to prove it to them. Every position I have had has been EXTREMELY flexible with me, allowing me to almost set my own hours, giving me flex and/or comp time. I was allowed those freedoms because I showed my value and loyalty as an employee.

25. AnonymousJuly 29,2022 at 7:26PM UTC

    Consulting is a good way to make money, but, takes some investment in getting the word out and notice you are available. Try ads for consulting, if that is something that interests you - some apps are free, like Facebook and Nextdoor. Please keep safety in mind. For something like Uber Eats, working during the busiest hours obviously gives you ability to make more money. Depending on where you live, you can choose deliveries near your home and with the biggest tips. Many car rental companies now rent hourly just to accommodate such businesses. One dealership I know of will sell a new car deferring payments for 90 days if you work for Uber, so as to give the person ability to make payments. Do some research for average earnings of Uber Eats in your area.

26. AnonymousJuly 29,2022 at 7:32PM UTC

    Omni is a good place to find remote legitimate gigs for wrok remotely. Most of those offer great flexibility for amount of time you wish to work and when. You might look in to their offerings

    GBA Resources - Omni Interactions

27. AnonymousJuly 30,2022 at 8:28AM UTC

    I think remote temp work that pays by the project might work. You want to look for nontraditional work that doesn't follow a 9 to 5 hourly pay scheme.

    Since you have trouble being employed and have health issues and must be away every few months you are going to have to think outside the box on the type of work that will accommodate your unique situation.

28. Carlene NicholsJuly 30,2022 at 8:31PM UTC

    Peopleready

29. AnonymousJuly 31,2022 at 1:11AM UTC

    As asked I have done many things, my career basically in construction worked by way up from receptionist, to purchasing agent to purchasing manager. I have done permit running , worked in the medical field, retail, customer service, etc. I guess almost everything. Sometimes I have appointments every day sometimes once a week, it depends. I have my own little side business but because it’s a specialty item it doesn’t bring much in . I thank everyone one for your suggestions and I will go thru one by one.

30. AnonymousAugust 3,2022 at 6:01PM UTC

    Thank you so much

31. Ginger KiernanAugust 9,2022 at 2:29PM UTC

    How long at a time are you out of town for your appointments?