Learn to move beyond disappointments
Q. I was a temp working in an accounting department. I was told that my assignment was over, and yet I kept getting checks from the temporary agency as if I were still on the assignment. I called the temp agency several times to tell them that the assignment was over and I should not be paid, but I continued to receive paychecks. Then, one day, the principal at the accounting firm called me and said to never call the agency again - that they no longer wanted to do business with me. I have tried to correct this several times, but no one at the temp agency will speak to me. This was seven years ago. I have not worked since this happened. I can't seem to get over this injustice. Do you have any ideas how I can straighten this out.
A. As hard as this may be, I urge you to let this go. You must get on with your life. I'm not sure how you have survived for seven years without income, but you must move on and get back to work. This reminds me of the movie that just recently came out called a "Flash of Genius." It is about a mechanical engineer who designs an intermittent windshield wiper that he shows to
At some point, after you have done everything to right the wrong, I think it is important to move on and continue with your life. If you don't think you can do it alone, find a mental health expert who can help you move on with your life.
A. Yes and congratulations on your recent retirement. You are not alone. Many retirees are looking for that connection to keep them active and feeling like they are still contributing. AARP Massachusetts (www.aarp.org/states/ma) is an excellent resource for volunteer programs. AARP Massachusetts uses volunteers for everything from tax aides to filling positions on its executive council. The website can also connect you with Volunteer Match (www.volunteerMatch.org), a nonprofit organization that lists volunteer opportunities in your community.
If you like working with kids, Generations Inc. (866-789-8787 or www.generationsinc.org), pairs seniors with young people who need to improve their reading skills. Research says these mentoring relationships keep young people from getting into trouble and it really improves their reading skills. If you have a favorite charity or nonprofit that you have donated to and/or worked with for years, give them a call. I bet they would be happy to have you volunteer a few days a week for various projects.
At my organization, Operation A.B.L.E., we utilize retired human resources individuals to provide mock interview practice to our mature job seekers who are trying to get back into the workforce. It is an invaluable resource for us and our retirees enjoy it as well.
Senator Edward M. Kennedy just introduced a national service bill that will "recruit 175,000 Americans of all ages to do service work in health, education, environmental protection, and antipoverty programs, with their work partly subsidized by the federal government."
As more and more baby boomers retire, I think we will see more and more opportunities to employ seniors, some for a stipend and others on a volunteer basis. What a great way to utilize our seniors who have so much more to contribute to society.
A. There are several resources available to seniors in the same situation as your father. One solution is to encourage him to enroll in the Senior Community Service Employment Program. This is a very creative Department of Labor program that pays a minimum wage stipend to low-income seniors 55 and older who need to go back to work but need assistance to help get there. This program places individuals in a nonprofit or government agency where they receive supervision at the agency along with case management and job search assistance from the SCSEP vendor. The ultimate goal is for the senior to find unsubsidized employment. To find out where the closest program is for you, call your state's agency on aging.
In Massachusetts, call Gene Williams, director of Senior Community Service programs, in the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (617-222-7459) and he will tell you where the closest program is in your town, or look at the state's website (www.mass.gov) and type in Elder Affairs. In the interest of full disclosure, I should mention that Operation A.B.L.E. is one of the SCSEP vendors in Massachusetts.
Your father could also attend an orientation session at the One-Stop Career Center closest to your community. There are 37 One-Stop Career Centers in Massachusetts and they have an array of services available to job seekers. To find the one closest to you, key in www.mass.gov and click on "For Residents." Other excellent resources are your senior centers and councils on aging in your communities.
A. I think job clubs, networking groups, and success teams are an excellent idea for a job seeker. They provide structure, a social venue, networking, and a source of accountability to job seekers. But like all groups, there are some good ones and there are some that aren't so good, or are not a good fit for you, and you really need to shop around to find the best fit for you.
Though they all work toward the same goal - a job, they go about it slightly differently.
Job clubs are very focused on job seekers getting a job. Sometimes, it is not your dream job, but if you land a good job with benefits, a job club would consider this a very positive outcome. Networking groups are focused on just that - networking. They realize that job seekers need to get connected with other people. Often, other job seekers might have an excellent contact in your field and can set you up for a meeting. Networking groups provide structured opportunities for you to meet fellow job seekers so that you can capitalize on who your fellow job seekers know. Success teams are usually small groups of no more than five or six job seekers who make a pledge to continue meeting until everyone in the group finds their dream job.
There is a lonely element of the job search that no one quite understands unless you have gone through it. These groups provide the job seeker with other job seekers going through the same trials and tribulations you are going through. You realize that you are not alone. You now have a group to bounce ideas around. You know you will have to report progress to date when you meet with your group and that is helpful for those of us who need a little pressure to do some of the hard stuff involved in job search. You meet new people and often, life-long friendships develop.
One of the oldest networking groups is W.I.N.D. or Wednesday Is Networking Day. There are several chapters throughout Massachusetts, one just opened in Boston. For more information, go to www.windnetworking.net. There is a $10 fee to attend each meeting along with a one-time $10 registration fee. Though W.I.N.D. is not for everyone, many job seekers have had great success with this group.
Another networking group for executives earning over $100,000 is ExecuNet. Registered members pay $35; $40 at the door. For more information, contact www.execunet.com.
I should add that many One-Stop Career Centers also conduct job clubs and networking groups. Ask if your community career center hosts a job club or networking group. You may also want to check your church, synagogue, or mosque. During difficult economic times, many houses of worship try to support their members by providing such groups.
Joan Cirillo is the executive director of Operation A.B.L.E., a nonprofit that provides employment and training opportunities to mature workers 45 and older. 