Many people are working during their retirement years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than half (54.7 percent) of people age 60 – 64 were working at least part time in 2017. The figure drops to 31.2 percent in the 65 – 69-year-old demographic
Here are five tips to help you launch your search for a part-time job in retirement:
1. Use your network: Start your search by reaching out to former employers and colleagues. This is one of the most effective ways to find interesting, part-time and even lucrative opportunities.
Your personal connections know what you are capable of doing and because of their involvement in your industry, they might know of an ideal part-time gig or consulting project for you. Or, they could refer you to someone else who might know of an opportunity. Networking does not stop at retirement.
2. Search the 50+ job boards: There are loads of job boards out there posting both full and part-time work. They allow you to filter your searches – part time, full time, location and more – to find opportunities tailored to your specific needs. Three worth taking a look at are the AARP site org/benefits-discounts/all/job-board/, http://www.retirementjobs.com and retiredbrains.com
3. Check out the specialized job boards: Certain sites focus specifically on part time, seasonal and flexible jobs. com is an excellent site for finding seasonal employment at places like national parks, ski resorts or fishing lodges. Flexjobs.com offers listings that let you work remotely or on your own schedule and has helpful articles to aid you in your search. There is a monthly fee for full access to listings.
4. Search locally: Investigate the obvious places in your area, such as libraries, schools and the community centers. Not all the answers have to be found on computers nowadays, so consider just walking in and talking to folks. There are even employment/staffing agencies that work with seniors, for instance The Carney Group in Montgomery County, PA. Don’t forget to ask neighbors and friends for leads.
5. Volunteer: Sometimes, taking an unpaid volunteer position can lead to a paying part-time position. If you demonstrate to a nonprofit that you have the right skills and attitude, you’ll be top of mind if a paid position becomes available.
There are lots of options at this stage in life, so do your research and find the best opportunity for your situation.
In our next blog, read how part-time work can affect your Social Security.