Careers and Business - Four Goals For Baby Boomers Seeking Flexible Retirement Job Opportunities

Anna D. Banks

 

The Baby Boomer or job seeker, who is over 50+ and looking for a retirement job can improve his/her chances of landing the job they want by becoming more knowledgeable about the coming labor shortage. Labor Market Information (LMI) obtained online or through One-Stop Career Centers, will assist the Baby Boomer to make the right career choices. Furthermore, this knowledge will aid in demonstrating to prospective employers the fact that they can match and support the evolving needs of the company.

The question is what does Baby Boomer or mature worker want and how does he/she can achieve these goals over the next ten years or so. Four goals and strategies for a Baby Boomer or 50+ plus worker may be:

Goal 1. Financial Stability: This is one of the main reasons that influence the decision of baby boomers and 50+ workers to continue working after 65.

Strategy 1. Mature workers will have to look for retirement jobs that will enable them to cover all their obligations. It is a good idea to speak to colleagues, various professional organizations, and recruiters, and research online about their current market value.

Goal 2. Different Employment Packages: Companies will find it necessary to recruit qualified candidates and create new strategies to retain baby boomers. Boomers want flexibility in their work arrangements, more meaningful and satisfying work, better and more comprehensive benefits, as well as opportunities for training and development.

Strategy 2.: Boomers must find out about companies actively showing commitment to an older, more mature workforce through AARP surveys and magazines, newsletters, networking, especially in age-related discussion groups.

Goal 3. Age Bias: Whether real or perceived, it is seen that hiring managers and even some decision makers have certain preconceptions about older workers.

Strategy 3. Older candidates ought to interact and work around changes, training, and relationships, and break the stereotypes.

Goal 4. Benefits and Pension Plans: Internal Revenue Code regulations prohibit any defined benefit pension plans from making payments or disbursements until employment ends

Strategy 4: If receiving a pension is important, working for an organization, including their old employer, as a consultant, may be a better idea so that the pension benefits are unaffected.

The labor situation is changing rapidly, and will continue to change in the near future. Keeping themselves informed about these changes and finding ways to better market their accomplishments will enable Baby Boomers and other mature professionals to improve their future career paths.

© 2008 Anna D. Banks, GCDF Anna D. Banks, a passionate advocate for baby boomers in exploring their priorities, planning and setting goals for the next stage of their lives. Assisting her clients to attract and build a professional and personal life consistent with their values is not just a goal of Anna's, it's her passion. Anna is currently Adjunct Faculty at Essex County College, where she teaches Career Development & Management. Author's Note: Do you have any questions about career development or lifestyle changes for Baby Boomers, which you think others, like you, would want to know the answers? Please place a post on http://babyboomer-retirement-tips.blogspot.com or email your questions to me at Anna@AnnaBanks.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_D._Banks

Entrepreneurship After Retirement - What's Age Got to Do With It?

Akhil Shahani

No longer are the rigors of entrepreneurship meant only for the young and restless. Youthful energy has been dethroned by experience and pragmatism. Increasingly, senior citizens close to retirement are trying their hand at small businesses and making their mark too. So if you think you're past it...take heart!

Why the surge in the number of older people turning entrepreneurs, one might ask. The reasons are not too hard to guess.....

Security: Senior citizens look for financial security as they approach retirement. Starting their own enterprise gives them the kind of security that a hot-shot job with a mega corporation does not guarantee anymore.

Flexibility: As people approach retirement, they like to spend more time with their loved ones. Being one's own boss helps older entrepreneurs make time for their family and keeps the money coming in as well.

Old is gold: Some things, like wine, get better with age. Older citizens have experience, that precious learning which only comes with age! Many have good intra-personal skills and a flair for management. Since they've already been there, done that, they are able to handle most situations with ease. And with technology being such an enabler, they can get a lot done without having to physically run around.

So if you're planning to bite the bullet, go ahead by all means, but be careful about certain things. Offers that seem too good to be true often are, so one needs to exercise caution before investing time and energy in them. As you start approaching retirement, getting funding from a bank might become a problem. Hence, a lot of older folks choose to draw out their pension fund. This makes it all the more important to ensure that the money is put to sensible use.

Follow your heart: Starting a business close to retirement entails taking risks, both financial and otherwise. It is important that you pursue an interest or an activity where you have some expertise as your business, so that it serves the purpose utilizing free time in an enjoyable way.

Building the business: Starting out is one thing, and carrying on is another. No matter when you start, any business would need customers and a market to survive. Leverage your connections - friends, family and acquaintances to help with your first orders. For more tips on how to launch a successful business, look up our section called "Starting a business".

Managing work: Close to retirement, many citizens battle with health problems and this could prove to be the only limiting factor. But this can be easily addressed with a flexible time schedule and some one younger to manage the business in your absence.

Need some ideas? "100 Best Retirement Businesses" by Lisa Agnowski Rogak, available at could be just what you are looking for! Want more? Try "The 100 Best Businesses to Start When You Don't Want to Work Hard Anymore" by the same author.

It's never too late to follow your dreams, but if you are quite close to retirement when you decide to start out on your own, make sure you cover all your bases.

Hi, I am Akhil Shahani, a serial entrepreneur who wants to help you succeed. Over the years I have run many successful businesses & made many mistakes on the way. I have created http://www.aykya.com to help you benefit from all I've learned on my journey. Please visit us & download our special 'Freebie of the Month' as a thank you for your visit. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Akhil_Shahani

Snap Out of a Boring Retirement With a Legitimate Home Business Opportunity

Ainsley Howard

Ahhh...retirement. It's that glorious stage in your life when you can kick back, relax, and leave all your worries behind. You can spend the rest of your days by the beach, playing golf or fishing, or just being blissfully lazy. Indeed, you were looking forward to it for years while you slaved away at work. Now that you're retired, however, the novelty is wearing off, and you find yourself...bored. Well, why not try to jump start your retirement with a legitimate home business opportunity?

The Online Treasure Trove

If you know a thing or two about 'em newfangled computers and the Internet, you have an entire treasure trove of opportunities literally within your fingertips. There are many a legitimate home business opportunity on the Internet that you can take advantage of. With such opportunities, you not only will be doing something productive with all your free time, you'll also be making a lot of money on top of your pension.

A legitimate home business opportunity over the Internet that's so popular these days is freelancing. You can offer services such as writing, programming, graphic design, web design, and even administrative work. Of course, you need to have the necessary skills and the background to be able to do any of these. If you do, however, getting work is as easy as pie. If you're still starting out, you can bid on projects from the many freelancer sites available. Pretty soon you'll be building up a loyal client base to add to your burgeoning portfolio.

What's A Computer?

Okay, you might not be particularly techie. In fact, you think a keyboard makes music and a mouse squeaks. No matter, there are still many a legitimate home business opportunity for you.

First, think about your interests. Everyone has a hobby, and you're no different. You might enjoy doing things with your hands like handicrafts. Why not make a business out of your products? All you need is some genuine artistry and the courage to market, and you're in business!

This also goes for the retiree with the penchant for cooking or baking. If you're proud of your delicious dishes and your scrumptious pastries, share it with the rest of the world. Invite friends and family to partake in a delicious meal, and inform them of your plans. They can then spread the word. Start taking in orders in a smaller scale and work out of your own kitchen. Before you know it, you'll be taking orders by the dozens. You can then turn it into a full-scale operation.

If your interests are geared towards the outdoors, don't fret. You might consider yourself an authority on fishing, so why not go in business as a fishing guide? As long as you know where the fishes are biting, you'll reel in clients quickly - hook, line, and sinker. If you're good at a certain sport, you can offer lessons. You'll be making money and enjoying yourself - not a bad package at all!

Indeed, if it's a legitimate home business opportunity you're seeking to cure your retirement boredom, there's no scarcity of the opportunities. All you need is a bit of know-how and courage to grab them as they come along. You'll find that retirement is indeed as good as it promises.

You'll find yourself enjoying retirement with a legitimate home business opportunity Take the time to look into many a business opportunity from home. Visit http://www.BestRetirementAlternatives.com for a legitimate home business idea and a free ebook as a Retirement Alternatives Guide. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ainsley_Howard