Q: I am over 50, but people I work with think I look like I'm in my 40s. I have more energy naturally than anyone I know. I am educated and think it's required in this day to keep up on technology. The one thing I do have that's of the old mindset is my work ethic. If I am asked to do something, I do it. I don't spend hours on my cellphone playing games, texting friends or viewing Facebook. When a company hires me, it gets more than just its money's worth. Whether deserved or undeserved, it gets dedication, commitment, a superior work product, and more. Yet, when I've talked with recruiters, they tell me I will not find another full-time job because of my age.

They all suggest I go out on my own and be a consultant or an independent contractor. Well, I don't want to be a business owner, a manager, a billing department and a collection agency. I just want to work and let other departments handle the "business" of having a business. I know about the code words on a resume for getting it sent to the next level, but how do I get all these unrequired attributes across to human resource departments?

A: You won't, if you use the company's online resume submission. The other part of the problem is that HR reps are either not allowed or not qualified to accept and review resumes. Anything you submit through a job website uses a key code system, so you must customize your resume to fit every job you apply for, and yes, this process is time-consuming.

Your other option of becoming an independent contractor may sound like it's filled with undesirable responsibilities, but in the long run, may be easier. Here's where networking plays an important role. Once you choose your practice field and your company's name, start as a sole proprietor and contact everyone you know. When you work for people you've known, or get job referrals from them, you should have fewer worries collecting fees than when you make cold calls for business. You can also require an upfront retainer fee and bill the remaining amount at the end of the job to simplify collecting fees. Of course, if you haven't kept in touch with co-workers or customers, building a clientele will be far more difficult and will require you to create an online presence.

You may want to start an independent endeavor while you have your full-time job by registering with agencies that specialize in your skill set — accounting, administrative, data entry, legal, writing — there are now agencies for nearly every hirable skill group. Matt Faustman, small-business expert and CEO of UpCounsel, an agency placing attorneys in temporary positions, says he has seen a change in how companies are hiring; there's a shift from full-time employees to freelancers and contract workers. There are pros and cons to such a trend, so whether it makes sense for a business to do so will depend on the industry, the company size and the tasks needed. It allows companies to hire people for projects where companies cannot afford a full-time employee.

Register with as many agencies as you find in your area, and then see which agencies net more assignments. You will receive a tax form 1099, which eliminates you having to collect client fees. Although you will have less control over the pay, not having to collect it may be worth the lower amount.

Email your questions to workplace expert Lindsey Novak at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @TheLindseyNovak. To find out more about Lindsey Novak and to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.