If you have recently retired, how is it going?
Some people love retirement and either discover new interests and activities or are finally relieved to be able to spend more time doing what they already love.
But for others it may not be quite so straightforward. You may have been longing for retirement – perhaps even taken early retirement – but now are feeling either bored, restless or without a sense of purpose. And of course, with the recent hikes in the cost of living, you may be beginning to realise that your finances aren’t stretching quite as far as you hoped they would.
If you are in this position, is it worth going back to work? According to recent press reports, the government is considering offering older people who have given up work a “midlife MOT” to help them assess their finances and explore current opportunities for work, including part-time or flexible work, mentoring and skills training.
The reason behind this is that the UK is currently facing major shortages of workers. Around 630,000 workers permanently left the labour market during the Covid-19 pandemic. The majority of these – around 386,000 – were older workers aged between 50-65.
But now may be the time for some of those workers to come back again. Especially if you still have some way to go before you reach state pension age – currently 66.
Whilst the details of the so-called midlife MOT are sorted out, what steps should you take if you want to get back into employment?
Here are five steps to take before you start applying for jobs, and five steps to help you find the right job for you.
If you are going back to work after retirement, it does not have to be the same kind of work you did before, particularly if you don’t need to work full time. So, take time to think about what you would really like to do – perhaps something linked to a passion or hobby – and look for work in that area.
Before you even start applying for jobs, decide how many hours you want to work. Then limit your search to Jobs within that window. Don’t feel pressured to take on more hours than you want or need to do. Part of this will be tied to the minimum amount that you need to earn, so you need to build this into the equation too.
Unless you are in a rush to get back to work, be careful not to make compromises on your preferred working patterns. For example, if you are now in the routine where you have other regular commitments such as childcare, classes or volunteering at certain times of the week, try to find a job that dovetails with those rather than having to change them.
As well as the content of the job, make sure that the working conditions will work for you. Is the job based in the employer’s office/premises, home-based or remote? Does it involve travel? Is there any physical element to the job that you may find difficult, for example being on your feet all day or having to lift things? You need to be confident that the job will be suitable for you in every way.
Also check the technological requirements of the job. Even if you have only been out of the workplace for a relatively short time, technology moves on, and it’s a good idea to get up to speed before returning to work if this is likely to be a significant part of the job. A good employer will provide all the training you need, but it’s worth starting to brush up on some popular technologies and software such as Word, Excel, email systems, calendars, video calling (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet etc) just so you are not fazed if any are part of your new job.
Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job and give them an idea of what you really want. The right job will be out there for you somewhere – even if it doesn’t currently exist! It could be that your availability triggers someone to create the perfect part time opening for you. So, the more you put out feelers the better.
There’s a lot of truth in the old saying about it’s not what you know but who you know. And the more people you know, the better. So do all you can to network with people that work in the kind of area you want to get into. Look for in-person local or residential networking events, online conferences, classes or webinars, and LinkedIn and other relevant social media groups.
It’s always worth checking out online job agencies such as:
And if you do see a job that interests you, act fast as these sites can be very popular and attract a lot of applications and may stop looking at new applications after a few days. So, get in there quick!
If there’s a particular company you would really like to work for, check their website to see if they have vacancies, and apply directly to them. And even if they don’t have vacancies, it’s worth getting in touch with them anyway to register your interest. For all you know, they may be about to advertise a job that could be perfect for you.
When you do find a job you want to apply for, make sure you send them all the information they need in the format they’ve asked for. For further help with this aspect of finding your ideal job, check out our article Is now a good time to start looking for a new job? which contains useful information on how to put together a winning CV or job application and then prepare for an interview if you are invited.
We hope that this article helps you to decide whether to dip your toes back into the world of work : and, if so, to do all that you can to get the job of your dreams!
Good luck! And remember to check back here soon for more lifestyle and financial tips from direct lender Munzee Loans.
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