In the United States, 65 has always been a magic number. It’s the age at which many expect to retire from work, be financially comfortable with social security and pensions, and do what they love whenever they feel like it. But in recent years, coming out of retirement and going back to work has become the new norm.
According to a Federal Reserve Board study, one-third of Americans who retire eventually return to work on a full or part-time basis. Even the Department of Labor is noticing an increase in workers who are 65 years or older. About 11% of people over the age of 65 worked in the 1980s, and that number has nearly doubled to 20% today. So why are so many people leaving retirement? Everyone has their own reasons, but it does seem to be mainly based on income levels. Those with lower income return to work because they’re not entirely financially stable, while those with higher income may want to use their career skills in a job that’s less stressful than the one they had.
Regardless of your reason for coming back to work, our career specialists at MJW Careers want to make sure you find a job that’s fulfilling. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you search.
Outline Your Goals
As you start job hunting, think about what’s important to you. Are you looking for a certain salary or a career that offers a benefits package for financial security? Or maybe you’re looking for something that offers flexibility and a certain number of weekly hours to accommodate your personal life? Knowing what you’re after and why will help you choose to apply to the job that will keep you satisfied from the beginning.
Use Your Age to Your Advantage
You might be afraid that your age discourages employers from hiring you, but it’s simply not true! The surge in older workers is actually a boost for the U.S. economy and its workers. Why? Because you are part of a generation of experienced laborers proven to be productive, dedicated and loyal. Experience has made older workers better at managing problems and responding to emergencies, not to mention dealing with people and providing excellent customer service. As the older generations retire, the shortage of institutional knowledge becomes apparent. Your age and skills hold value with employers, and there are many businesses out there looking for you!
Utilize Online Resources
There are many online resources specifically tailored to finding post-retirement work that our career coaches are happy to look at with you, including Encore.org, RetirementJobs.com, and AARP’s job board. Encore, for example, is a nonprofit that helps baby boomers apply their skills and experience to helping their communities. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to look or how to even start job searching, and we’re here to help guide you through the process by providing the best and most effective resources on our radar.
Embrace Technology
Whether you’re applying for a job online or through email, or maybe you’re operating computer software you’ll need to understand for a desired career, technology is forever changing and adapting, and your brain has to keep up. Don’t be afraid to learn something new, and always ask for help if you’re unsure of how something works. When it comes to applying for jobs and creating your resume, we have professional writers ready to help you every step of the way to building a powerful tool that will “wow” those recruiters.
Let Us Help You Succeed
Our specialists have worked with a number of retirees ready to come back to work. During the recent recession, we had a 73-year-old man come to us about resume writing and career coaching because he had lost his savings, had no retirement or pension, and didn’t have the passion to go back to his previous career. He wanted a steady income, but with a fulfilling job. We identified his strengths and transferable skills that would be valuable to an employer, intersected it with what his passions are, and helped him find a job that he could enjoy. He’s almost 80 now and continues to love what he does!
If you’re ready to step out of retirement, whether full or part-time, give our career coaches a call! And if you’re looking for a way to stay organized and on top of your job hunting, we suggest checking out ebook: How to Get UnUnEmployed: Fill That Calendar! 22 Daily Step-By-Step Ways and Daily Motivators to Kickstart Your Career and Find a Job in Under 6 Weeks (An Interactive Guide).
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