It’s inspiring for retirees to seek jobs and earn some extra dollars in their leisure time. The reasons can be wide-ranging, starting from increasing retirement savings to remaining active and creative.
With as many options available as a fresher, finding jobs for older people is no big deal. We have collected a list of the most favorable jobs that may help you boost your confidence and keep your passion alive.
Let’s buckle up!
Why are Seniors Looking for a Job After Retirement?
A report from the US Federal Reserve has pointed out that nearly a quarter of all American adults have no retirement savings or any sort of pension. While some people seek jobs in old age to meet expenses, some engage in jobs even in their 60s to be active and creative.
Let’s quickly glance at some of the reasons for starting a job after retirement!
You can increase your retirement savings to increase your future financial security.
When you have a job in your old age, you can plan for a dream vacation.
Working and socializing will help you stay active and engaged.
Be an independent being.
So, what’s the best way to restart your career after the 60s?
What are the Best Jobs for Older People?
Knowing the best jobs for seniors over 60 before restarting your career is very important to understand what options older people have. Let’s search for the best one for you!
7 Side Hustle Jobs for Senior Citizens
If you want to utilize only some leisure hours to earn extra for your luxuries, these are a few side hustles that can be suitable for you.
Fitness Instructor
Were you a fitness freak during your 20s and 30s? Did you ever have that urge to be a gym instructor but failed to choose that career? Well, life has given you a second chance. Be a fitness instructor and earn $22/hr.
Apart from a fit body, becoming a fitness instructor requires a certification as well, so make sure you are qualified to instruct others in their journey to be fit.
Tutor
Teaching and learning have no age boundaries. Whether you were the favorite English teacher or the strict Maths teacher, you can start teaching again! Working as a tutor can earn you $15 to $150 an hour.
Nanny
Your granny-like love for little kids can earn you $16-$30 an hour. Being a part-time nanny can be an excellent job for women over 60. If you love spending time with your grandkids, this job is perfect for you.
Restaurant Host
If you like to meet new people, socialize, and spend quality time with them, then a host of Restaurants can be a great position. All you need to do is to meet the people, greet them, and tell them where to sit. You can easily make $10/hour working as a restaurant host.
Retail Worker
Some people excel at keeping records and maintaining every area of their work. If you are one of them, it’s your chance to make $10 every hour by keeping records by running a cash register or floor walking.
Brand Promoter
If you like socializing and know the value of social media networking, this job is for you. Through your public speaking skills, you can promote various products or brands and earn money. The payment is usually a contract between your client and you, which varies according to the brands.
Product Demonstrator
Seen people in the malls and the stores selling sample products? Yup, they are known as product demonstrators. The job of a product demonstrator usually pays you around $12 an hour.
9 Flexible Hour Jobs for Seniors Over 60
The best jobs for 60-year-olds are those where you can set your schedule. Imagine working whenever you want and still fulfilling your dreams. Here are a few flexible-hour jobs for old people that can help you.
Carpenter
By working flexible hours as a carpenter, you can easily earn $22/hr. However, be careful, choose this option only if you have experience working with tools before.
Tow Truck Operator
Driving is a common skill that can be easily acquired. But, if you have the eyesight of an eagle, this career can be the best for you. You can earn $14/hr by working a few hours and driving around.
Adjunct Professor
Several schools, colleges, and universities need temporary teachers and professors. If you have the qualifications and teaching skills, you can grab the opportunity to be a part-time teacher or professor. As most adjunct professors are hired on a contractual basis, seniors can choose how long they want to work and guarantee their job safety.
Being in this job can bring you an average pay of $12/hr. Part-time teachers’ and professors’ jobs are good jobs for seniors.
School Bus Driver
Driving school buses can be a lucrative job for seniors over 60. You can drive the children to school in the morning and bring them back by evening. It’s one of the best jobs for seniors with CDL licenses and can give you $15/hr.
Substitute Teacher
If you have been a teacher all your life, this can be a great job for seniors in their 60s. It is an assistant teaching job where you will be responsible for making notes, conducting exams, question papers, and checking tests. Being a substitute or an assistant teacher job can pay you about $100 a day.
Medical Transcriptionist
In case you have been a skilled healthcare worker before, you may work as a medical transcription post-retirement. Earn $15 an hour by transcribing medical documents or audio into texts.
Yoga Instructor
This profile is best for people who are skilled in performing Yoga and know how to customize it according to the mobility issues and needs of the elderly. A yoga instructor is a highly paid job that has a higher vacancy for seniors. Get yourself certified and be a yoga instructor to earn $16 per hour.
Travel Agent
Imagine making money while helping people plan their dream vacations. That’s what being a travel agent is all about! You get to help folks discover amazing destinations around the world, and for every hour you work, you can earn $12.
Although you do not need any certification to become a travel agent, it is advisable to have previous sales experience or general experience working in the tourism industry.
Human Resource Assistant
Have acquired management skills during your working days? By administering tests, fixing appointments, and maintaining records, a human resource assistant profession can get you $16 per hour.
5 Low-Responsibility Jobs for Seniors Over 70
All these years you may have taken on a lot of burden. Let this burden down and live a stress-free life. Listed below are some jobs for seniors over 70.
Dog Walker
If you are a pet lover and love walking and feeding them, go for this adorable, low-responsibility, high-paying job that offers lots of free cuddles and love as perks. In this job profile, you can make $20 every day by just taking care of pets.
Front Desk Reception
For people who are not fit enough to move much but are keen to work, the front desk reception job will be the best option. This easygoing occupation can get a pay of at least $14/hr without having to work hard, physically.
Data Entry
The data entry job is a cakewalk for people who are pro at computer typing and have worked on screens for years. It’s a flexible job that can be operated right from your home. Your patience and speed of typing can earn you $14/hr.
Library Assistant
If you love the smell of freshly opened new books, a library assistant job might be your best choice. This kind of stress-free job for 60-year-olds with no experience can easily make you earn up to $13/hr. Qualification to become a Library assistant requires you to have previous experience in this field with a high school diploma.
Phone Operator
Phone operator is another job for seniors over 70. If you love challenges and are a socialite by nature, a phone operator job is best for you. Rerouting calls can earn you $7/hr.
7 Working from Home Jobs for Older People
Working from home is a different blessing. Work-from-home jobs for elderly people are always a lucrative option to earn. Here is a list of some work-from-home jobs for seniors over 60.
Social Media Assistant
If you’re good at social media and know how to connect with people online, you can help companies reach more customers on platforms like Google, Facebook, and others.
This skill could make you earn $15 per hour. This is a great option for men and women over 60 looking for jobs that are flexible and involve using social media and networking skills.
Editor/ Proofreader
Are you an Advent reader? Well, the job of an editor is to read and pick out the nicks from the write-up. For this job profile, you must have previous experience in marketing, journalism, or writing. It’s an excellent job for older people, as it can be done remotely, too. You can earn $25/hour or even $100/hour if you are good at your skills.
Online Tutor
People who possess expertise in a particular subject and enjoy teaching, have the opportunity to tutor students right from the comfort of their home. Teaching online can yield an income of $20 per hour, presenting an excellent employment option for individuals in their 60s.
Online ESL Instructor
If you get certified to teach English to people who speak it as a second language, you can easily start teaching online and make $19 per hour. This certification helps you teach English effectively to those who are learning it and opens up opportunities for online teaching.
Content Creator
Art is not defined by age. It matures just like wine. As you get older the perspective to see art changes and that makes you unique. So, if you have any artistic skill, you can create good content and post it on social media, and once it goes viral, you can earn $22/hr.
Phone Survey Conductor
The job of a phone survey conductor is much easier than telemarketing. Survey researcher positions can get you $27 per hour. The only qualification required to become a phone survey conductor is previous experience in telemarketing or cold calling.
Virtual Admin Assistant
Several companies in the U.S. are small and find it difficult to help their customers by hiring full-time staff. You can be a part-time virtual admin assistant and easily earn $16 per hour. For that, you must hold a valid high school diploma certificate and previous experience in an admin role.
7 Skilled Jobs For Senior Citizens
Working all these years has made you proficient and skilled. Why not use these skills to restart your second career? Let’s look at some skilled jobs for senior citizens.
Accountant
Do you already have the skills and the CPA license? If so, you can become a consultant with a local or online firm and earn $33/hr. To become an accountant, you must have a degree in accounting or previous work experience as an accountant.
Graphic Designer:
If you are a talented artist with good computer skills, this job can be excellent for you and can get you at least $21/hr. To advance in this position, you must hold a degree or certificate in visual design or fine arts.
Translator
Do you know more than one language and have good typing skills? If so, go for translator jobs for senior citizens and earn $25/hr. This job profile needs you to hold a valid language certificate up to C level.
Computer Programmer
In case you were good at computer programming in your working days and had all the technical skills, the computer programmer job has to be the one for you. These highly skilled technical jobs for elderly people can earn you $40/hr. To pursue a career as a computer programmer, you are required to have a valid master’s and bachelor’s degree in Computer engineering.
Speech Pathologist
If you are a licensed speech pathologist, you can restart your career by working only a few hours. A speech pathologist can earn up to $37 per hour. For this job profile, you need to acquire a clinical fellowship license.
Reiki Practitioner
Devote a few hours of the day to heal people and bring happiness into numerous lives. Get yourself certified, learn the art of healing, and earn $19 per hour. Having a Licensed Reiki Master Teacher Training Program (LRMTTP) completion certificate is the basic qualification for this profession.
Electrician
Who said you have to be a full-time certified Electrician? You can earn $26 per hour by working only a few hours. All you need is a vocational degree in technical courses to advance in this profession.
4 Volunteer Jobs for Older People
If you love to spend time with people, volunteer employment jobs for elderly people are in abundance. Here are a few volunteer jobs for older people.
Mentoring
Children today require guidance in their studies and daily tasks. If you understand their perspective and are adept at handling child psychology, seize the opportunity to mentor them. Experience with your grandchildren would further enhance this role.
Hospital Volunteer
Be a part of volunteering at hospitals if you know how to process your emotions and help others through it. You can help people with food, service, and pharmacy assistance or just talk to patients as a social worker.
Church Volunteer
If the church has been your go-to place, and you find peace in front of god, volunteering in churches would excite you most. You can help the church staff with cleanliness and other stuff.
Sports Volunteer
In case you enjoyed sports in your youth, sports volunteering has to be on your list of jobs for seniors. It will not only help you socialize more but also make you feel younger. To become a sports volunteer, you must hold a valid bachelor’s degree in sports or have professional experience.
How to Start Searching for Jobs for Older People?
Here are some ideas that will make you more refined and hirable to kick-start your career for the second time.
Scale your Skills – Write down your acquired skills. Your skills will make you confident to look for diverse jobs and opportunities. When searching for jobs for seniors over 60, your specific skills can be your strength.
Chase your Passion – When you are into the second earning phase of your life, go for a career you’re passionate about.
Create your Cover Letter – It’s important to customize your cover letter when aiming for jobs for 60-year-olds. Make the resume precise with specific skills and avoid adding your experience based on 20-30 years.
You are free to start a second career even after your retirement and if you ever feel that you are denied a job opportunity or distinguished at your workplace just because of the age factor feel free to report this discrimination under ADEA.
How to Handle Age Discrimination in the Workplace?
Older adults today are returning to the workforce. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, by 2030, 9.5% of the civilian labor force is estimated to be older than 65. So use the tips below to start the second innings of your life, if you are also an elderly looking for a second career opportunity.
Browse Through Advertised Job Openings
You can find several good jobs for seniors posted on company websites, online job boards, career portals, and social media sites.
One downside of applying for advertised jobs is that many competitors will be applying for the same job. To ensure you don’t spend too much time on these options, focus your efforts on just one or two sources like USA Jobs and RetiredBrains or your social media like Facebook.
Connect to Your Network
Many positions about jobs for seniors over 70 are never advertised. Businesses often prefer to hire by word of mouth. Here, your friends and community will come to your aid. Tell your friends you’re actively looking for a job, and ask if they know any local businesses looking to hire.
Visit your Local American Job Center
Apart from providing general job search services, American Job Centers have connections with many of the major employers in the region they serve. Find a U.S. job center and contact it to learn about local job openings.
Apply for the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a United States Department of Labor program. It helps older adults get training skills and jobs to re-enter the workforce.
Try Cold Calling
Consider giving a call or sending a letter directly to the people who are responsible for hiring in a company. This way, you can ask them if there are any jobs available at the moment. It’s like reaching out to them personally to find out about potential job opportunities.
Connect to Local Staffing Agencies
Employers who look to bring on people immediately will often work with a staffing agency to fill a vacancy. While some positions will be temporary, many employers hope to fill open positions permanently. Temporary work through a staffing agency can be appealing if you require immediate income without pursuing a permanent position.
Attend a Job Fair
Large organizations often hold job fairs to talk directly with potential employees. Job fairs, especially for seniors over 60, also allow you to hand your resume directly to the concerned person rather than having it digested by someone else.
You’ll be able to show yourself and get authentic feedback from employers. At job fairs, you also get a sense of the types of questions asked in a job interview.
Online Portals to Find Jobs for Older People
Here’s a list of other websites that can help you in finding jobs as a senior citizen. These platforms specialize in providing jobs for senior people and will surely be of great help to you:
USA Jobs: They provide government jobs for seniors.
RetiredBrains: A retirement advice planner that helps you get a job after retirement.
Newsolutions: It’s a company that helps experienced workers join government agencies.
Retirement jobs: Recruiting older people to fill the void between experienced and youngsters in various industries.
LinkdIn: One of the top most preferred social media communities where jobs are available for all age groups across the globe.
Conclusion
No matter what your reasons for working retirement are, you can still find numerous jobs that are suitable for older people. You might worry about keeping pace with the new generation and sometimes face low confidence, but remember you have experienced many more challenging situations than those youngsters.
So, don’t hesitate to take a new step toward achieving your goal. All you need is to start with a little courage and apply for any of the aforementioned jobs for older people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be able to compete in today’s labor market without good technical skills?
Yes, although many jobs still require technical skills, there are various jobs where you need only basic computer skills. If your computer skills aren’t updated, ensure your resume doesn’t reveal this, and keep working on learning the latest computer skills.
Do I have to browse through the Internet to find a job?
If you seriously want a job after retirement, you should explore all your options. Employers often post job openings on the web, and if you ignore online social networking sites, you may miss out on possible jobs.
How do you search for Jobs for older people?
A good way to begin any job search is to take a step back to assess your skills. Write about five work experiences you’ve had that you enjoyed or were good at. Next, try to identify the similarities across all those experiences. This can be a good way to identify three or four of your best skills.
What if I get rejected for being old and overqualified?
You mustn’t portray yourself as less qualified than you are. The key is showing prospective employers how your extra experience can be valuable. You may have unique knowledge that a less experienced person does not possess.