Jobs For Older Adults

The ability and want to work is something that doesn't change for people just because they retire from their first careers.

Many older adults would like to continue to work in some fashion to have an additional sense of purpose, make extra income, or to have more flexibility in their work/life balance.

Older adults are not limited to jobs as retail salespeople. Most of the job growth in the next few years will be in health care, education, government, and social assistance jobs — and many older adults are the right fit for these careers.

The booming healthcare industry offers a wide variety of opportunities for people who could be anything from activity directors at skilled nursing facilities to state tested nursing assistants (STNA) or registered nurses (RN). The STNA or RN might take some additional education, but the flexibility of the job would give an individual the ability to work in healthcare when he or she wants to.

Opportunities in education include part-time teaching at community colleges or private schools, substitute teaching, or tutoring. Non-profit organizations can also be good places for older adults to work. If one has an entrepreneurial spirit, this may be the time to take the plunge into being self-employed. Older adults who enjoyed their careers can become a consultant or a part time employee in their former field.

Older adults may be concerned about how to market themselves to prospective employers. In today's transient economy, this is not as daunting a task as it might seem. Older workers are dedicated, punctual, detail-oriented, focused and attentive.

Employers can also take note of older workers' organizational skills and pride in a job well done. These skills will always be in demand as employers look to save man hours and money in this economy.

Whatever older adults decide to do with their second careers, they should do so with the same zeal and efficacy that they handled their business in their first careers. New opportunities are new adventures. Everyone involved with these sorts of hiring benefit. Employers get trustworthy, reliable workers, and older adults get to write a new chapter in their work lives on their terms.

References: US News & World Report and Entrepreneur Media.