Employment for Seniors

As our population becomes increasingly composed of Seniors, many companies are recognizing that this age group is an untapped source of skilled and talented labor. And the “Baby Boomer” mentality of this age group is very different from previous generations for whom just reaching retirement was a very typical goal. However, in years past, the broad availability of well funded pension programs allowed a large proportion of our working population to reach retirement age, stop working, and “relax” with the grandkids.

But, not only is it now more difficult to have secured that financial security, many people who reach the magical age, or number of years on the job, just aren’t emotionally ready to remove themselves from the active and social life that employment provides. Consequently, we are seeing many people who are in the “Senior” category either continue to work at their careers of many years, or maybe return to employment after a few years in a completely different line of work.

Employers are taking advantage of this because it can be a source of workers who have experience, are reliable, have a strong work ethic and exhibit a lower rate of turnover. Also, Seniors are often willing to work only part-time and have a more flexible work schedule than a younger employee with family responsibilities at home.

So, if you are considering going back to work to gain a little financial freedom to do more, or to afford a few luxuries, or if you just want to re-engage socially with a set of co-workers, don’t be afraid to start your search. There are a lot of resources that specialize in finding the right match between employers and seniors.

And who knows? You might find a whole new career that will give you a good adjunct to your current income.

Good luck on your search.

Tom Binder