If you’re retired or still in the planning stages, you may want to consider a part-time job to earn some extra cash, especially if you’re behind the eight ball in savings. There are plenty of jobs for retirees out there, and they come with more than financial benefits - they’re an outstanding way to keep your mind sharp and develop new relationships.
What Will Work For You?
Before you just go out and get a part-time job, think about your retirement situation and what you want out of it. Have you saved enough money? How many hours do you want to work per week? How much money do you want to make? What kind of responsibility level are you looking for? The more you can define this, the better. You want to look at the right types of positions, and there are a lot of options out there to choose from:
Full-time to Part-time
Sometimes companies don’t want to lose all the valuable knowledge and experience that a long-time employee has, and they’re willing to offer you a part-time or contract version of your old position.
Freelance and Consulting Work
Many skill sets, like marketing, graphic design, writing, and IT are ideal for freelance and consulting. Use your existing professional connections or online sites designed specifically for obtaining short-term gigs like Upwork, Fiverr, and PeoplePerHour.com.
Customer Service
Experienced workers are ideal for customer service and help desk jobs with their extensive skills and patience. Companies often hire part-time and telecommuting customer service employees via job sites like FlexJobs.com.
Federal and Local Government Jobs
Government jobs are stable and a great way to get involved in your community. An added bonus is that you’re less likely to face age discrimination, and these agencies offer a variety of part-time and seasonal positions.
Part-time and Seasonal Retail Jobs
During the holidays, there are numerous opportunities for part-time retail work at the mall, hotels, and tourist destinations. You can even explore out-of-town resorts and national parks, which might be a fun way to combine travel with some extra cash.
Piggyback on Sports and Hobbies
Working at the golf course or your local sports facility is a fun way to stay close to something you love. This goes for hobbies, too. Libraries, catering companies, museums, and art galleries are wonderful places to work part-time.
Substitute Teacher or Tutor
Depending on your skills, you might be qualified to teach classes at a local college or community center. And, there’s a large ongoing need for substitute teachers and tutors. Check with your local school districts and online tutoring sites.
Pet Sitter and House Sitter
Do you have a way with animals? People always need someone trustworthy to care for their pets, often in their homes, when they’re traveling. Word-of-mouth, fliers, and community sites like NextDoor.com are a good way to get started.