Coming Out of Retirement? These 5 Jobs are a Great Fit for Older Workers

Written by Sharon Wagner (seniorfriendly.info)

Whether your money is tight in retirement or you’re just running out of things to do, returning to work can be a great decision. However, re-entering the workforce is intimidating. You know you have expertise to offer, but will hiring managers see your experience or only see your age?

Despite it being illegal to discriminate based on age, nearly two in three workers over the age of 45 say they’ve been subject to ageism at work. However, there are some jobs where a senior’s age is seen as an asset. If you’re looking for a fulfilling career past 65, look into these five jobs that are a natural fit for older workers.

If You Want a Job That’s Popular with Seniors

When you want a company that cares about its workers and recognizes the value of seasoned employees, look into these five senior-friendly jobs.

Insurance

The insurance industry needs to reach customers from all backgrounds, and insurance companies know the best way to do that is by hiring employees just as diverse as their clientele. Not only does the insurance industry seek diverse employees, but insurance is also a great choice for seniors looking for a flexible schedule and the opportunity to work from home. There’s a wide range of opportunities in the insurance industry, from sales to marketing to accounting, but the biggest impact on your experience comes from the company you work for. If you want to work for an insurance company known for treating its employees right, use Glassdoor to read reviews of companies from people who have worked there.

Tax Preparation

If you want a seasonal job you can do during the winter while taking summers off, tax preparation could be the perfect fit. Tax preparers work during tax season to help clients file income taxes. While most tax preparer jobs require experience in accounting and finance, there are administrative jobs in the tax preparation industry that require no special expertise.

Concierges and Tour Guides

Are you a people person who knows every corner and back alley of their city? Social seniors with a passion for customer support will thrive as hotel concierges and tour guides. Working in a hotel is an especially savvy choice for seniors who love to travel, as the best hotel chains to work for offer travel benefits like discounted hotel rooms.

If You Want to Skip the Job Hunt

Discouraged by the job hunt or motivated to be their own boss, a lot of seniors are skipping traditional jobs and opting to strike out on their own. Self-employment is a great fit for seniors in search of flexibility, with one caveat: Starting a business means putting money on the line. While some businesses require more investment than others, all require basic technology like a smartphone you can use to access gig economy apps, communicate with clients, and get paid. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune, but you do need a phone that’s reasonably powerful, which means shopping for a newer model like the iPhone XS Max (which sports a 12 MP camera and 13 hours of battery life) or the Samsung S9 Plus (which features “swift performance”).

House and Pet Sitting

Older adults have a reputation for being meticulous, and that’s exactly the type of detail-oriented nature people are looking for when they entrust their home and pets to a sitter. You’ll enjoy plenty of flexibility as a sitter, as you get to choose how often you work, but expect to be busiest around the holidays and summer travel seasons.

Side Gigs

From driving for Lyft and Uber to selling handyman services through TaskRabbit, the gig economy is full of opportunities for people who want income without the commitment of a regular job. When you work in the gig economy, you decide when to accept jobs, which means you can work as many hours as you want and take off whenever you please.

Finding the right job after 65 requires more creativity than when you were younger. However, landing a job that affords you a comfortable income and the freedom to enjoy your retirement is far from impossible. Whether you’re looking for an encore career or just some extra spending money, use these suggestions as a starting point for your senior job hunt.