Hi everyone,
I’m truly sorry about the lack of posts but another month has come and hit me!
A couple of weeks ago, we were informed that our shop was to close in a month and so we’d all be made redundant…
Cue lots of job hunting, interviewing etc. plus lots of being turned down for jobs – either I’m too specific and limited about the part-time hours I do (which, to me, as I’m semi-retired, is my prerogative entirely) or my age is putting people off. Of course, firms are no longer allowed to ask how old you are before an interview so I guess they’re a bit put out when a nearly 65-year-old turns up!
Anyway, never fear dear readers – the very first job I applied for was in the next door shop who had a notice on their window asking for part-time staff. They knew me anyway as I always buy my dinnertime ice creams from them in summer. So, the day I was told we’d be redundant in a month, I rang the store owner who said I could come in for a trial. I did so within the week and am going to be working there… So all the interviewing was pretty much a waste of time but probably served as a good reminder of what to do etc. for another time.
Unfortunately, the only trouble now is that I’m again working 2 jobs at the moment as I feel keeping the new people waiting for a month is a bit unfair so I’m filling in my days off working for them – all a bit tiring and leaves me no time for anything else!
I’m still hillwalking though and in serious walking and cycling training for a challenge I’m doing in a couple of weeks – I hope to be putting a post out about that soon after!
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The Adventures of a Mountain Coward 
Nice one Carol. Great you’ve got another job so quickly.
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I’d really like to retire but it’s another year and bit yet (providing they don’t move it again)!
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Sorry to hear about your job, though glad you have already managed to get something else sorted.
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it’s going to be worse for parking though as it’s still Friday (which is okay) and Saturdays – and I’m not starting until midday. There will literally be nothing anywhere in Keswick by that time on a decent day in summer – not even the paying carparks will have spaces by then!
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Sorry to hear about your job, but at least you have managed to pick something up. So many people can’t seem to find anything, so it’s very positive that you did. Sometimes interviews are done for the sake of ticking a box. If you are known to the person doing the interview it’s often much easier as they don’t need to give you the third degree. Good luck with it!
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For part-time shop work, I thought a trial was much more sensible than an interview – that way we both got to see what we thought
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And the worst state pension in the developed world at that.
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I didn’t know that!
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We are just one above Third World Countries.
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Only beaten by South Africa. I’ll be working till I drop…
https://www.businessforscotland.com/uk-state-pension-worst-in-developed-world-and-has-the-highest-retirement-age/
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to be honest, I don’t think we’re much above ‘third-world’ countries in much nowadays!
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Nor me.
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And important to get a state pension forecast. Just before I got mine I found I was three years short on contributions (I’d been to university) and it gave me a chance to make it up.
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I shouldn’t be any years short really – I’ve worked since I left school at 16 – no gaps…
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I think you need 35 years in total.
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it will be 50 years by the time they let me retire
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They should let people stop paying when they get to 35 years.
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Yes I agree with that! After all, I’ll have paid in for 50 years but won’t get any more than someone who’s only paid in 35 unlike a private pension where you get what you pay in over the years.
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Great that you were quickly sorted for a job, and completely agree that interviews, while always a PITA are never wasted time, practice makes perfect
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It was a bit galling being turned down though as I’d only ever been turned down for a single job in the past. My current job was completely new to me being public facing and I had no experience so my manager when she interviewed me supplied most of the answer to the questions – I think she was determined to have me and it has worked out very well for the last 3 years!
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Good to hear you sorted out your employment. In Canada the over 60 age group is a huge part of the employment picture. A big reason for this is few people have the money to retire. The only group that does retire early is government employees that get large pensions. Lisa and I have resigned to working until we die as our parents did. I don’t feel bad about it. Plus who is going to pay for those large government employee pensions. 🙂 It keeps you going that’s for sure. Another reason over 60s don’t retire is they are good workers and needed, sometimes they are the only people employers can get. Looking forward to more of your mountain adventures.
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Agree with all of that!
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Poor you, Carol, what a testing time you’ve been having. So sorry to hear about your job, but it sounds as though you’ve been lucky in your bad luck finding work next door – and ice cream sounds much more fun! I understand why you’d want to keep the new people happy, but at least the two jobs are not for long.
I didn’t know companies aren’t allowed to ask the age of an applicant now. In my view, though, age is an advantage as it brings so much work and life experience with it. Glad to hear you’re still hillwalking though, so I look forward to reading about all your adventures when time does allow you to post more. I’m the same at the moment – the move, among other things, is taking up all my time too so my blog has suffered, but I’m hoping to do more in the near future, and at least I’m just about to get one post out. Keep in touch and good luck with the new shop. 🙂
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Nope – they can’t ask and it’s not on your CV either so they really were probably getting a shock to get a 65 year old turn up (more or less – not that I look it of course 😉 )
Look forward to your next post – I’m still reading if I’m not posting…
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You do too much hillwalking to look your age – it keeps you young… 😉
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Hillwalking does keep you young so long as you remember to stick lots of protection against wind and sun on your face before going out each time – the weather really does ravage you on our hills!
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Ah, but it’s worth it! And you can’t beat walking – hills and otherwise – for keeping fit and young. 😀
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and for mental health – not only is it relaxing but I’ve sorted out no end of problems in my head while I’ve been out walking
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Sorry to hear about the job, but it may be a positive thing in the long term – are free ice creams part of the deal? I’ve not been writing much lately, mainly because we’ve been off travelling a lot – we’re way up north today near Ben Loyal. Not much derring do at the moment though – ‘Mist’ is showing her age now (14) so we have to limit our activities to fit in with her.
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That’s a good age for a dog! I’m up in the north of Scotland for my challenge – but only to Beauly and Kintail (that gives you a clue as to the challenge 😉 )
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And disgusting that politicians, who can afford to retire when they feel like it, keep putting up the state pension age for everyone else.
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I’ve been thinking that a lot – and it’s made me quite bitter! I should have retired 6 years ago! I probably would have carried on until 62 or so but I’ve pretty much had enough now – especially with all the having to look after my mother and her affairs as well!
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Well done Carol, Wow. Two jobs. Back to back employment record. I’m looking forward to the end of this year when hopefully I’ll get my old age pension then it will be a life of gluttony, hedonism and sloth. I’ve no intention of working after that as my main aim will be re-acquainting myself with any friends I’ve lost through.not being out and available during the last two years and meeting new ones. I’ll hopefully go from the working poor to the retired rich overnight when the great day arrives :o)
Asparagus…., (and breakfast)…. at tiffany’s for me,… but I’ll be thinking of you dancing between shops keeping the UK economy on track.
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At least the new job (if I can keep it) won’t be such very close contact with customers – that has made me very nervous throughout Covid (which I don’t consider has gone away).
I’m just scared that in a year and a bit, the government will suddenly add yet more years onto my retirement age. I’m damned sure they’ll stop me getting a bus pass anyway 😦
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Sorry this is such a bad time.
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At least I had a lovely walk after work today – when I came down from the fells in the sunshine I came across a low fell which was full of fell ponies with young foals gambolling around – it was lovely. One mare even brought her foal over to meet me 🙂
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Sorry to hear about the job loss. I know how that can turn your world upside down. On the other hand so glad it worked out for you next door. When you have time to get back to the blogging world, we will be here.
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and of course I’ll still be reading all yours 🙂
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Thanks. I appreciate that.
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Sorry to hear about the redundancy, but congratulations on getting something to replace it so quickly, especially in today’s world.
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actually, 2 of the other girls went around Keswick and found that nearly every job in Keswick is wanting at least part-time staff – they wanted full-time however. They were sorted a day after me in Booths supermarket so they did well too.
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