More and more older Americans are rejoining the workforce in their golden years. Whether it be to supplement your income to indulge an unpursued interest, finding, securing and maintaining the right job can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience at this time in your life.
In this section we'll discuss:
Types of jobs to consider
Although certainly the financial compensation that goes along with being employed is the primary consideration for many of us when looking for the right position, for a job to be a sustainable solution, you'll have to be motivated to go to work for reasons other than money. What you're looking for, what we're all looking for, is a job that we'll enjoy both emotionally and financially. Here are a few things to think about when evaluating different jobs:- Your interests
- Salary
- Schedule flexibility
Armed with all of this information, you should have an easier time navigating different opportunities.
1. Interests
No job is going to be enjoyable if you're not innately interested in the day-to-day activities in some way. Here are a few ways to help pinpoint your interests:
- Ask yourself what in your life makes you happy. What are you passionate about? How do you spend your free time? What kind of people do you most enjoy spending time with?
- Think about what things you do well. Ask the people around you their opinion on your strengths. Feedback of this kind can be invaluable.
- Is there an interest that you have always wanted to pursue, but have not had the opportunity to do so? What types of jobs might bring you closer to it?
HerTip: If you receive Social Security you can earn money while receiving benefits, with certain limits under the rules set up by the Social Security Administration. Visit their website at www.ssa.gov for more information.
2. Salary
Before starting your job search, first determine what a reasonable salary should be. Once you know what you need, you can market yourself accordingly. And, look for jobs within that salary range.
HerTip: Some older women are fortunate enough to be able to work without having to think about compensation. If you are among them, consider volunteering your time -- there are countless organizations that offer fulfilling, interesting opportunities to their volunteers.
3. Time flexibility
Be sure to understand the time commitment involved before pursuing an opportunity. More and more employers today are willing to be flexible and tailor a schedule to best suit your needs -- you just have to ask. You may not want to work a full-time, 9 - 5 job at this stage of the game, and you just may find that that is amenable to some of the employers you are talking to.
- Ask about part-time availability.
- Find out if working from home is an option.
- Consider freelancing as it allows you to pick and choose projects and often determine your own rates.
Unfortunately, con artists often attempt to exploit older people with work-at-home scams. These fraudulent "opportunities" often appeal to so many of our desires like earning more money, not having a boss, working fewer hours, or commuting less. Just remember, when things are too good to be true, it usually means they are. The Federal Trade Commission works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. Visit their website for more information on how they can help protect you from being a victim.
How do I find jobs?
Once you determine the kind of job you're looking for, you can start to search. Here are a few places to start.
1. The usual suspects
Although the job market has changed dramatically over the years, the old standbys still work. Try checking with:
- Friends and family
- Search firms
- Employment agencies
- Classifieds
- Job fairs
2. Online solutions
There are quite a few online job banks that have large databases of available positions. They'll let you search by job description, skills required, location, title, and more. Good ones to try are:
HerTip: Any intelligent potential employer knows that the value of an employee lies not in her age but in her ability to contribute a unique set of skills to their organization. Age discrimination is just plain old not smart, but it's also against the law. If you feel you've been discriminated against because of your age, seek help from an organization such as the National Senior Citizens Law Center or your state's Equal Rights Commission or labor agency.
Back to school?
Why not? You might consider going back to school either to pursue an unexplored interest, keep on top of new developments in your field, or to hone an underdeveloped skill. Whatever the case, further education can help both build your resume and networking resources.
1. How to find continuing education programs
There are various organizations that you can join to find information on continuing education. These groups will be helpful for overall advice, but for more concrete information like cost, time, and subjects covered, independent research is your best bet.
After you've determined what you're interested in studying, talk to the people around you for tips on good programs and information, and then contact your local colleges and universities for their respective enrollment fees and schedules.
Introduction