According to a 2017 Rand Corp. study, 39 percent of Americans 65 and older who are currently employed had previously retired. It’s not necessarily because they need money; they missed the challenges, feeling of accomplishment, and camaraderie that come from the workplace environment.
If you’re retired but miss working, clearly you’re not alone. Reentering the workforce isn’t impossible with a few smart steps. In fact, you can find career satisfaction and success. Follow this advice from GetFive career coaches. If you have more specific questions, schedule a one-on-one meeting for individualized coaching.
Decide What You Want
Do you want to go back to the field that you retired from? Would you rather try something new? This might be the ideal time to explore a dream you previously put on hold. Think about what your vision for working is and create a plan to make it a reality.
Decide How Much
Do you want to go back to work the traditional 40-hour week or more? For some people, that’s great. For others, they’d prefer part-time or even seasonal options. You may find contract and freelance work to be rewarding, if you desire higher levels of flexibility.
Refine Your Resume
No matter what you decide to do, you’ll want to update your resume to reflect your best skills for the job you’d like to do. If you’re making a career switch, think about how different experiences can be transferred into your new position. With a lengthy work history, there should be plenty of opportunity to pull together a customized resume and cover letter.
Update Skills
If you only recently retired, your skills may still be current enough that this isn’t a worry. However, if you’ve been away for longer, you may have to brush up on some skills before marketing yourself successfully to potential employers. This is especially important in fast-paced industries where technology can move quickly and skills become dated fast.
Use Your Network
You don’t only get wisdom as you age; you also get a lot of contacts. Your vast network can be used to your advantage. Make friends and family aware of your desire to return to work. Reach out to professional contacts and express your goals. Set up coffee and informational interviews. Rubbing elbows with the right folks could land you your dream job.
Link Up on LinkedIn
If you’re older, you may not have a LinkedIn profile. If you do have one, it’s likely you’re not very active on it while retired. LinkedIn is the most effective social platform for professional networking. It’s a great way to connect with other professionals and get the inside scoop about jobs and industry developments. Create a profile, update it frequently, and expand your network now.
