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Retire to your next job

by Jessica Abelsohn | 21 Apr 2016

Retirement is something we work towards our entire lives. Yet often, when we leave our job, there’s still much more we want to do. Here are some helpful tips on how you can successfully find a new part-time role.

 

Australia is an ageing population. People are living and working longer than ever before. When you consider the fact that the current life expectancy in Australia is 80.3 years for males and 84.4 years for females, if a person stops working in their fifties, they could be relying on superannuation or government benefits for 30 years or more. That’s a long time to be without a solid income.

In today’s age of peer-to-peer networking and community marketplaces, many retirees are turning to social networks to find work. According to Airtasker, a community marketplace for people and businesses to outsource odd jobs and tasks, a third of the 250,000 workers are older than 55. The website, and others like it, help retirees turn their hobbies and skills into work, boosting pension payments.

Why return to work?

In addition to joining a social club like Probus, returning to work often helps seniors regain a sense of belonging. It’s common for new retirees to feel a bit lost without the routine and social interaction provided by a workplace.

Another common reason for finding a new job is to keep the mind active. Following a lifetime of work, retirement is the perfect time to do something you’ve always wanted to do; turning your hobbies into paid work. 

Age ain’t nothing but a number

A challenge for seniors is ageism in the workforce. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2010, 35 per cent of job seekers over the age of 55 stopped searching because they believed employers thought they were too old. While they are keen to work, employment rates for the group are exceptionally low.

However, there are ways to combat this. Sean Hall, Head of Employee Experience at recruitment website LiveHire, believes it’s all about communication to bridge the lack of understanding on both sides.

“People of different ages often approach problems differently and may have different skills, but if they are open and respectful, these things can be complementary rather than problematic,” he says.

Take a chance

If and when you decide to find work, ask yourself some questions. Do you want to work for a large company, or a start-up? Do you want to work on a part-time or casual basis?

According to Hall, seniors are often seen as being quite entrepreneurial.

“[They] often have better management skills and bigger networks of contacts than younger people,” he says. “Research has shown that entrepreneurs in their senior years now account for more than a third of all new businesses.”

If you’re keen to work for a large organisation, Hall suggests looking for companies that have a focus on diversity in the workplace. And remember, the recruitment process has changed dramatically since most retirees last looked for work.

“We are now in the age of the ‘knowledge economy’, so build your profile and authority by sharing your knowledge, experiences and point of view,” Hall states.

Regardless of where you work, remember that everything is a learning curve and embrace it.

“It is essential that we all see ourselves as lifetime learners,” Hall says. “New jobs requiring new skills are being created every day, so keep reinvesting in your own learning and development.”

CASE STUDY: BACK IN THE GAME

Before he retired, Rick Giddins led a busy career as a financial planner. When that came to an end, he did casual roles including HSC supervising and Census collection.

“After I retired, I wondered if I’d gone a bit early, so I was on the alert for opportunities to return to financial planning. However, I never really pursued anything. The casual roles kept me happy,” Rick says.

A couple of years ago, he began working at Airtasker, an online marketplace where users can outsource tasks, from gardening to shopping. It keeps Rick “active and social” and is a great income supplement. It also gives him a sense of purpose by helping people out.

“I treat my jobs as hobbies. I didn’t actually stop working, I just changed the nature of it to become less rigid and less stressful, with much responsibility,” he explains.

To land a job in retirement, Rick suggests seniors keep in touch with old colleagues. You never know, they might be able to help you find new opportunities and interesting job leads. 

Skills to consider

1. Computer and digital skills

Build up your technology skills and sign up for courses in social media and marketing or office software. 

2. Research

The ability to delve through information, the patience to read through reports, then analyse results and answer questions is key. 

3. Customer service

During busy periods, many retailers advertise for casual or part-time jobs. Many companies are also looking for help manning the phones.