There are plenty of employers who want to offer you a job in retirement. You might want to work to make some extra money to balance your budget or to solve your debt problems. On the other hand, you might not need the money but just want to get back into the workforce again because you enjoy it. Here is a list of the 9 best opportunities:
1. Sales
Sales jobs are great because you get to meet lots of people and help them solve their problems. They’re also nice because you can earn lots of dough if you are good at them. If you have retirement hobbies, why not turn them into a job? Smart employers love to hire retired people for a number of reasons. They have the experience and maturity. This helps customers feel more comfortable in making a buying decision. Emphasize your skills, experience and trustworthiness in applying for sales jobs. Work hard and then start enjoying those paychecks, baby.
2. Educator
Waltz on down to the school and apply for a job as a teacher or tutor. Assuming you have flexible hours and don’t need full-time work, you are probably just the person the school needs. Again, you’ve got the experience that is so valuable. Stress that point. Don’t take no for an answer. They may not need you now, but something may open up in a few months. Keep checking back. If you have to volunteer for a while, do it. You can parley that volunteer job into after-school private tutoring and really clean up while doing something very positive to help a child and family.
Let’s go another route with education. Let’s say you know how to make money in business or with investments. Maybe you don’t need the money, but you always dreamed of being a teacher. Do you think there are people who want to take an investment or business class from you? You better believe it, Sparky.
3. Maître d’
What could be more fun than helping people enjoy a nice meal together? And if you were a restaurant owner, wouldn’t you want a distinguished person like yourself introducing the customers to your restaurant? Forget about it. Little Johnnie high schooler doesn’t have a chance against you for the job. Pick the right establishment and apply for the job in confidence. Side benefit – free food and plenty of exercise walking around. You can’t beat that.
4. Tax Preparer
There are plenty of companies who will train you and set you up with clients. This is a great gig for you because it’s seasonal. Thus, you have plenty of time to take off and enjoy your life during the off-season.
5. Hardware Store
If you know your way around a hammer and a nail, leverage those skills. Think about the last time you went looking for a part to fix the sink. Who did you want to talk to? The kid with the pepperoni face with his iPod stuck in his ears or the stately looking man with a gentle smile on his face? Of course you went for experience every time.
6. Fabric Store
This is the same concept as above. If you have special expertise in sewing, knitting or quilting, press your advantage. You are just the person employers need to help their customers.
7. Financial Services
Do you understand investments? If you know what you are doing in the area of investments and taxes, you may have what it takes to become a financial advisor. You’ll have to get some formalized training of course, but that doesn’t have to stop you. Again, you have a very valuable resource that employers need – experience and reliability. Don’t sell yourself short.
8. Real Estate
Here’s one of the best entrepreneurial ideas your can start with no money. If you’ve always been inclined towards real estate, now’s your time to cash in. If you aren’t really pressed for making fast money, real estate is wonderful. It will take you time to build up a clientele, but you have built-in believability. Use that to your advantage.
9. Self-Employment
I wrote an entire post on how to use Craigslist to find second jobs and launch your business. Think about the things you are very good at and see how others are finding work. Then, improve the value proposition and let the work begin.
There is a common theme here – you actually have strong advantages over many new college graduates in finding work. You are more flexible, have greater experience, probably need to earn less money and have automatic authority, which encourages customers to feel comfortable. Focus on your strengths and go for it. If I would have had more time, I could have turned this list into 90 jobs for retired people. There are plenty of opportunities for you.
What is the best job in retirement you have found?
krantcents says
Don’t forget the unpaid positions such as volunteers such as docents at museums, volunteers at hospitals or charitable organizations. Meaningful work is just as valuable as paid work. As an educator, I feel I am in semi-retirement because I love it.