subject: Ways You Can Gear Yourself Up For Working In Retirement [print this page] Some of us approaching or arriving at the traditional retirement ages recognize that we'll have to continue to work somewhat into retirement years. Workers without traditional employer-sponsored pensions and retiree health plans often need to work until they qualify for Social Security and Medicare. Our recent recessionary environment has left many out of a job and looking for work. Here are some ways for finding work.
*Adjust yourself and your job prospects to work at a lower energy level:
Most people don't (or can't) work as hard in their 60s as they did in their 50s. They want to do less. So if you've worked a high-pressure 50 hour per week job before, re-gear yourself for jobs that don't take so much out of you.
Set your sights on choosing a more relaxing work environment. It'll be healthier for your psychology and body in addition to helping faze you into an eventual retirement.
*Play up what you can do while playing down your age:
As you put together a resume and summary of yourself, play down your age and age-related information. Don't lie... just stress your capabilities for the job you seek.
*Make yourself more up-to-date and flexible:
Many jobs require some interaction with a computer. If you're not somewhat comfortable with a computer, take a quick and basic computer course at an evening school. This takes very little cost and effort, but it puts you in good standing when asked if you can work with computers. It helps you break through the misconception that older workers are unfamiliar with new technologies and are resistant to change.
*Recognize and project yourself a problem solver:
If you can find out - or simply recognize - what problems a company faces, then you can position yourself as a solution to that problem. Companies are trying to find someone who'll fit in. They welcome someone who already seems geared to face the job at hand.
*Look into job areas conducive to hiring you:
If you can offer a much needed specialty in an area you've been working in, go for it. But you may have to move into job areas that are different.
Many of the jobs lost during the current recession have been in the manufacturing, construction, retail, business, and personal services sectors. And of those fields, the contraction of the retail sector hits seniors the hardest since retail sales tends to be the largest occupation for workers 65 and older.
Try the industries that welcome older workers, such as healthcare, higher education, and government positions. These areas tend to be relatively recession resistant too.
