Many retirees must return to the work force

By Art Koff

The value of retiree's savings along with their homes has fallen and this coupled with inflation and the huge costs associated with health care** has resulted in many finding they must return to work if they are to live a lifestyle any where near what they planned. Unfortunately the current job market is such that it is particularly difficult to find employment regardless of age.

A number of retirees have found it is possible to get a part-time or temporary job or project assignment. These kinds of jobs generally do not pay benefits and it is less expensive for employers to off-board workers that are not working full-time. It is important that retirees update their resumes.

Six tips for seniors seeking employment

1. Register with temp firms in your local area as they don't care about age but are more interested in your skills and experience. Also if you get work through a temp firm it helps build your resume for future work assignments.
   
   
2. Try to get an interview with an employer you are not interested in working for to practice your interviewing skills. You don't want to go to your first interview in a long time with the employer you are really interested in working for and make easily correctable mistakes.
   
   
3. Consider having your resume rewritten or updated by an expert as the resume you used years ago is no longer appropriate.
   
   
4. Put your resume up on those job boards that connect older workers with employers seeking to hire them.
   
   
5. Look for temporary or project assignments as they are much more available than full-time jobs.
   
   
6. When applying for a job tell the employer you are willing to work on a project or temporary basis. This often gives you a leg up on younger workers who are often unable to accept this kind of employment. Temporary employment can often lead to full-time work.
   

Many retirees are considering starting their own businesses. Although this has proven to be a good idea for some, it is not for everyone. Some retirees have lost their investment and ended up much worse off then before they started. Carefully check out any business investment or franchises prior to signing any agreements.

Only 48% of American workers plan to retire at age 67, with others planning to work longer, according to a survey released by Sun Life Financial. This means that the competition among older job seekers for the jobs that are available will continue to increase. It is important to prepare now for the eventuality that you may need to continue working well past the time you are planning to retire. Check out what others are doing. Ask them about their successes as well as their failures. If you are working, talk to your employer about continuing to work after your retirement age. See about flex-time, part-time or other programs your employer may have available. Start networking now. You can accumulate a good deal of information as well as contacts gradually as opposed to facing the problem in a narrow time frame a short time prior to your retirement.

(**In 2008 a couple retiring both at 65 will spend for Medicare insurance, and out-of pocket expenses between a low of $117,000 with small prescription drug usage and a high of $549,000 with high prescription drug usage during the combined remainder of their lifetimes.)

About the author: Art Koff founder of RetiredBrains.com.

Art Koff is a senior in his 70's who founded RetiredBrains.com as a destination for retirees and people planning their retirement. The site includes a free job board connecting older workers with employers interested in hiring them.

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