| Easiest
and best job for retirees
The easiest and best job for
many potential retirees today is simply to continue working at the
job you already have. After all, you have the skills,
knowledge, contacts and any licensing needed. Better yet,
you already have an employer who is willing to pay you
regularly. Given the financial damage done by the Crash of
'08, your wisest course may be to keep working full time for a few
more years.
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The
second best retiree job
But if you have already
retired or are facing a compulsory retirement or buyout, the next best thing
is to seek freelance, consulting or part time work using your
existing professional skills and knowledge.
The goal of
freelance or consulting work is to generate income plus give
yourself more time to do the other things you want in
retirement.
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Your
old boss is a new best friend
To start on a part time
career as a consultant or freelance, your old boss can become your
go-to guy. If you are still employed, ask the HR Dept.
or your boss if the company would be interested in employing you
part-time after your retirement date. If you have retired
recently, make the call to your previous employer and ask the same
question about working part-time. You may be happily
surprised to hear: "Yes." From the company's point
of view, it is less expensive to hire you part time on an
"as-needed" basis than to hire someone
else and go through a time-consuming and costly training period.
Avoid
the "pick-your-brain" trap
If you old boss turns
you down, your next step could be to call the competition.
Obviously, companies that compete with the one you worked for will
be interested in talking to you about employment. Two things
to watch out for: 1) Be sure to wait until you are retired to
avoid any potential non-compete issues. 2) Be careful that
the interview with a competing company does not turn into a "pick-your-brain-then-send-you-on-your-way"
session. And be certain to make it clear that you are
looking for part time freelance or consulting work -- that you are
not looking for a full time on staff job. Unless, of course,
you are.
Take
your current skills to a new field
Everyone knows that
health care is growing by leaps and bounds. You may be able
to take your current experience to this or some other rapidly
growing industry without having to spend time and money acquiring
new skills.
Teach your way to more
money in retirement Even if you don't have an advanced
degree, you can teach what you already know and earn money.
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