Jobs for Seniors - Hidden Bonus Brain Fitness
"Find something you love to do and you'll never work a day in your life" - Harvey MacKay There is no better time to switch career paths than at retirement, odd as it sounds.
You may not need to work anymore, so the pressure is off to stay in the profession you have known. You can choose something more fun. Working beyond age 65 brings benefits to our health and wellbeing. Brain fitness and mental stimulation over age 65 has been proven to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and dementia. Yet, a job over 65 sounds depressing tomany. Turn that thought upside down in knowing Baby Boomer skills are still in demand. Why? Baby Boomers offer wisdom and rationale, uncommon in a 20 year old. Ignore the naysayers; it's not all about the money if you choose to work part-time during retirement. 39% of Baby Boomers plan to work into their 70's, according to the annual survey from the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, a non-profit private foundation. For brain fitness, to avoid boredom, for spending money or all of the above.
Technology has made is easier. For example, be paid to be a ghost writer, post social media updates or operate an internet based business, all while working at home in your pajamas. Use your talent to freelance on Elance.com or barter our services at U-Exchange.com. You say you’d rather golf? Work as a golf starter in exchange for free rounds of golf. Share your business skills teaching students in exchange for free tuition for a class you want to take. Many businesses seek seasonal part time help, especially retailers. Decorate Christmas trees at hotels, become a mystery shopper or deliver flowers during Valentine's week. Some jobs can be fun, especially shopping. But be careful of mystery shopper scams. This government website will help you recognize them:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt151.shtm
Teach private music lessons or a foreign language. Some people learn better at home and are willing to pay for it. Businesses like Starbucks, offer health benefits if you work at least 20 hours a week. Consider working at Whole Foods Market, placing yourself in workplace encouraging you to be well. Don't forget the employee discounts in addition to benefits. A retired girlfriend of mine works at Saks Fifth Avenue just for the employee discounts and health benefits.
Here is a list of the Top 10 Best Part Time Jobs offering Benefits:
1. REI - Recreational Equipment
2. Whole Food Markets
3. Nordstrom
4. Starbucks Coffee
5. UPS
6. Lowes
7. J.C. Penney
8. Lands End
9. JP Morgan Chase
10. Barnes & Nobble
Have you considered job sharing? This is when companies split positions between two people. Ken Tanner wrote a great book, The Boomers' Career Survival Guide. He mentions an interesting option companies are considering - The Boomerang Year. A retiree takes a year or two off before returning back to the company part-time. A newer trend, companies are recruiting employees back part-time, those who already retired. Why? We see companies becoming more flexible sensing the loss of talent they once had. It might be a good idea to stay connected with your employer. You never know what part-time opportunity could fall in your lap.
Tanner also talks about turning your W-2 to 1099. This allows a company to hire you as a consultant paying your business entity instead of keeping you on their payroll. This saves the company money and provides you freedom and flexibility with your time. Working 2 or 3 days a week might provide the perfect balance in your life.
As 79 million Baby Boomers age, the health care industry will be tested on all levels. If you pursued part-time work in the health industry administratively or in client care, it is unlikely you will be laid off for lack of work. If you invested wisely and are financially well off, why not share your success stories with the next generation - Generation X, Y, Echo Boomers, Net Generation, the Millenniums. These young people might appreciate hearing your words of wisdom.
Looking for a job these days may not be fun. Just about all companies require you apply on-line. Are your computer skills weak? You’re not alone. A large percentage of Baby Boomers still don't know how to use a computer. We could be easily discouraged thinking we are competing with wrinkle-less 20 year olds. Pay no bother. Businesses are looking for reliable, flexible friendly skilled workers like us. Turn the company's job description of the position offered into your Resume of Qualifications. Keep it short and sweet to slam dunk the job you want. Violet Nikolici Lowrey wrote such a fantastic resume for me, I wondered at first if the resume was mine? Money well spent. I landed the job with the first company I presented it to. Hire a professional resume writer to update your resume.
Depending on the position you seek, you may be better off spending time creating your LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook profiles instead. Companies often search for these first, to learn more about you, see how you think and observe your skills. If you are interested in part time employment with a specific company, find them on Facebook, Twitter and subscribe to their blogs. Interacting with your target companies on these platforms may push you to the head of the line when positions become available.
Golden opportunities are all around, waiting for you.
Soon to be a golden girl, Margie Casey Founder
