You do not say what kind of work you do or what kind you are looking for. It is difficult to respond with a specific answer to a general question.

Don't get angry at your friends. They can't help you get a job. That is on you. To get a job, you have to be specific and you have to look where the jobs are. You have to use professional resources, not expect friends to help. They can't unless one of them owns a business and would be willing to hire you. They can't ask their boss for you but can serve as a reference if you apply.

Janet:

Unfortunately, your profile doesn't show where your located, nor does your post show your occupation in health care.

I, too, am out of a job at 50 y/o as of 1/31. But, this is nothing new to me because I do contract/consulting work.

I live in Michigan, which has the highest unemployment in the U.S. Finding permanent work is impossible unless your in your early 20's or 30's. I believe my lack of full-time employment has much to do with age and salary requirements.

Health Care is a growing field. I actually thought about leaving I.T. and getting a nursing degree.

Don't look for friends to help. They always say, networking is the key to finding a job. Very true; however, the economy is so bad very few companies are hiring. But, it's oftentimes about who you know.

Starting your own business might be a good opportunity right now. In the health care field, you can start a staffing agency, become an independent biller, etc.

If you want to send me a private message with your occupation and location, I'm sure I can offer some good advice and a few other suggestions.

Lessee...I'm not in health care but I've been a consumer. These are some brainstorming ideas. I know that the turn-over is high and some agencies or institutions would love to have someone who's competent and reliable.

Guessing that you are an RN. Use some of your work time (or after your shift) to go network:

--Chat up your favorite physicians (if that's not an oxymoron!) and see about transferring to a medical office. (I am related to several MDs, so I joke about them.)

--Drop by the PT area and ask about visiting nurse on call situations. This can be a lucrative career, with more flexible hours.

--Stop in the ICU and find out where they send patients for rehab. Go check out those facilities.

--Let your fingers do the walking to find local agencies that provide the means to allow seniors to continue living independently.

--Off site, contact assisted living and retirement communities.

We boomers are aging and falling apart, so there's a tremendous need for medical help. I hope these ideas are of some use!

Hi, I am new to the TBD site. I also live in Michigan (the UP) and was laid off from my job about 3 weeks ago. You are right that jobs at our age are very difficult to find, it seems very very few companies want people our age even with the experience we bring. I would love to have a home based business, something in data processing, income tax, bookkeeping, internet research or such. Trouble is it takes money to start, something that is in very short supply right now! Anyway, I suppose I just wanted to sound off. Good luck to all.

Rose

I highly recommend the use of www.linkedin.com to find present and past managers, classmates and colleagues who might be able to help with job leads. Referrals are the best way to find work. This social network site also has job listings and an answer market that allows you to seek advice and offer up your value propositions.

Do you believe you have done the best job of presenting your value propositions relative to what employers are looking for.

I have heard that www.craigslist.com can also be a good resource for finding work.

Read about these and more suggestions at my blog, www.wiseworking.com.

Write me if you want to chat further about this dilemma.

Check out the material on TBD's Career Change Workshop. It's full of fresh ideas.

http://www.tbd.com/content/article/basic_article.article:::work_ccw_stage0