Retirement
Jobs
Excuse me? OK, consider this oxymoron a
placeholder for something yet to be named. What we are describing is
thousands of people in their 50s, 60s, and older, ending one career and
starting another one, preferably one closer to their hearts. "We spend the
first half of our lives learning what we love," says poet and business
consultant, David Whyte, "we should find a way to do those things the second
half."
We're not talking here about the bridge job,
something to tide you over until your pension benefits and Medicare kick in.
Nothing wrong with that, in fact, check out our
links for sites that
can help you. What we're talking about feel more like a calling,
something you feel passionate about; dream about; would love
doing. Note: assessments tools that show you your strengths may not prove
all that helpful. Maybe you are reading this and thinking: hey, I know
what I really, really want. If so, go forth and multiply. But if
not, here are a few tips to get back in touch.
-
Revisit
your childhood by opening up the family album and looking at yourself at
various ages. Who did you like to hang with? Who was your
favorite teacher and why? What did
you love doing so much you'd have paid to do it?
-
Make an
inventory of your assets: natural talents, acquired skills, and
so-called intangible qualities, like your optimism, resilience or sense of humor. Be
bold. Include things that you might not necessarily share in a job
interview or application for a business loan.
-
Get a friend to do the
asset inventory for you, if you blush at the thought. Or ask them
to write a letter to you, naming your strengths. Practice a little
affirmative action on yourself by posting these in plain sight.
-
Consider an apprenticeship or internship in
a career that appeals to you. Many professionals, e.g. photographers,
artists, chefs, can use an assistant in exchange for showing you the
ropes.
-
Got a free weekend? How about giving your
dream job a test drive with Vocation Vacations,
www.vocationvacations.com
-
Sign up for a
2young2retire
course forming around the country now. Teleseminars, too.
More useful resources for you
(isn't the Internet great?).
Career Journal, from the Wall
Street Journal
Top 10 careers for the 60+
from
US
News and World Report.
Help from
peers. Check out your local chapter of Forty-Plus,
"the Nation’s oldest and most
successful non-profit organization dedicated to helping currently available
managers, executives and other professionals over 40 years of age find
jobs." Google 'em!
Freelance
or project work more your style?
Guru.com is one of our favorites career sites. Terrific
information and lively writing. Offers a free email newsletter and a chance
for instant celebrity with its haiku contest. You "indies" out there, also
check out, www.workingsolo.com,
Terry Lonier's great site.
Coaching/Mentoring
Life
experience combined with coaching technology
may be what you need to launch your career as a personal coach. Corporate
coaching is one of the hottest new careers, with six figure incomes
possible. Or you may want to hire a coach
or (for women of a certain age)
hire a mentor.
Consulting
Thinking of translating your work experience, contacts and resources into a
consulting career? Here's one way in, an
internship.
Temporary Adventure Jobs
Tired of
the same old same old? Short-term adventure jobs get you out of the rut.
You get to test the waters, travel and sample some alternate lifestyles . .
. and sometimes get paid to do it. Internships, seasonal jobs, volunteer
vacations, working abroad. Check out
Back Door Jobs.
Become an entrepreneur
about you. Isn't it about time?
Recommended Books to Get You Going
Best Home Businesses for People 50+ (Tarcher, 2004) Paul and Sarah
Edwards. Also
Home Based Businesses for Dummies (For Dummies, 2000)
Free Agent Nation: The Future of Working for Yourself (Warner Books, May
2001), Daniel H. Pink.
It's Only Too Late If You Don't Start Now: How to Create Your Second Life at
Any Age (Dell 1998), Barbara Sher.
The Back Door
Guide to Short-Term Adventures
(Ten Speed Press, Third
Edition, September 2002), Michael Landes
Third Age: Six Principles for Personal Growth and Regeneration After 40
(Perseus Books 2001), William A. Sadler.
Too Young to Retire: 101 Ways to Start the Rest of Your Life (Plume
2004), Marika and Howard Stone
Unstoppable: 45 Powerful Stories of Perseverance and Triumph from People
Just Like You (Sourcebooks, Inc. 1998) Cynthia Kersey.
What Do You Want to Do When You Grow Up: Starting the Next Chapter of Your
Life (Little Brown & Company 2001), Dorothy Cantor with Andrea Thompson.
The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do
About It (Collins 1995), Michael Gerber
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02/24/2008
