Career Center - Transition to Second Career
As Boomers reach retirement, many are unable to fully retire at the traditional age because they simply can’t afford it. Rising health care costs, disappearing pensions, shaky social security and poor saving habits force some to abandon the idea of a life of leisure at 65. Continuing to work keeps money flowing in and provides access to health benefits in some cases. Whether or not you can afford to retire to a life of leisure, it may not be the best choice for a number of other reasons.
Transitioning into a second career rather than retiring from work altogether keeps you engaged both mentally and physically while giving you a sense of purpose in your life. The traditional form of retirement your parents opted for is becoming less and less popular as people live longer and better in their later years. Before you decide to retire, it’s a good idea to think about how you want to spend your time after retirement.
After spending decades in the workforce, suddenly having the bulk of your waking hours returned to you can be a jolt to your system. While you may have dreamed of golfing 7 days a week, after the initial excitement of being able to realize that dream wears off, will it still be fulfilling? If not, you need to think about starting a second career.
There are two ways to think about a second career after retirement. You can take on a career you have always wanted to pursue, or you can find a job that allows you the flexibility to pursue other interests. For example, you can start your own Bed & Breakfast or you can do part-time consulting so you are free to visit Bed & Breakfasts on your travels.
Which option you choose will depend on your personal and financial needs. The first step in starting a second career is choosing an occupation. You can continue to work in your current industry in another capacity, find a job in a different industry or start your own business. There are few times in people’s lives when they have the chance to totally remake themselves, but this one of them.
If you choose to find a new job, focus your job search on companies that are eager to hire older workers. If you do, you will find it easier to find a job that meets your needs, and more of your needs will be met once you are in that job.
The AARP’s National Employer Team is a list of companies committed to hiring older workers. The key to having a job after retirement is finding a job with flexibility. You still want to be able to enjoy your retirement and all of the benefits that come with retirement. Whether it’s consulting, working part time, job sharing or telecommuting, you want to find a job that allows you to work as much as you want to work. It’s helpful to start looking for such a position before you retire.
In order to get the job you want, you may need to go through some training or update your technological skills. Don’t be afraid to do that. It’s par for the course, and pursuing lifetime learning is another benefit of staying in the workforce after retirement.
