So many seniors are sheltering in place…
We thought it would be interesting to explore options for staying engaged in life, while continuing to pursue a career, if we choose to do so. We invited a guest blogger, Sharon Wagner, of SeniorFriendly.info, to cover this topic:
Great Remote Jobs for Retirees Looking for Flexible Work
While many retirees are eager to leave the work world behind them and never look back, this isn’t true for everyone. Seniors often want to rejoin the workforce to keep their brains sharp, maintain social connections, and earn some additional income. A job can also give those golden years a greater sense of purpose, which is something that many seniors struggle with after leaving their careers.
The right type of work will enhance your retirement without interfering with the laid-back lifestyle you’ve worked so hard for. Remote work, in particular, is a great way to earn money while enjoying the comfort of home—or traveling the world! Thanks to freelance job boards like Upwork, it’s easy to find remote work opportunities in nearly any industry, whether it’s sales, bookkeeping, or teaching.
As you start exploring remote work opportunities, take a look at the following fun and flexible jobs for inspiration!
Freelance Writer
Freelance writers can fulfill all kinds of remote roles, writing everything from online articles and blog posts to website content and advertising copy. In fact, companies such as Fitzsimmons Communications specialize in providing grant writing, business writing, and articles on a number of topics. Businesses, individuals, and agencies always need content, so there is no shortage of work for the skilled writers out there. You can even start your own blog and monetize it by promoting eBooks, courses, affiliate products, or your personal writing services.
Tax Preparer
If you worked as an accountant or bookkeeper in your previous career, consider becoming a freelance tax preparer. Tax preparers are always in demand—and not only during tax season! Many small businesses and self-employed individuals file their taxes quarterly, so there will always be work opportunities throughout the year. That said, you can choose to treat this as a seasonal job and take the summers off to relax and enjoy retirement. While you only require a high school diploma to be a tax preparer, The Street recommends taking a tax preparation course to learn everything you need to know.
Customer Service Representative
E-commerce stores are always looking for great customer service representatives to handle customer inquiries, process orders, and resolve complaints. Customer service representatives often work over the phone, but they also respond to customers through live chat and email, so it’s important to have some basic computer skills and a high-speed internet connection. This role has a relatively low barrier to entry, so it’s great for seniors looking for something to jump into without prior training.
Virtual Assistant
Being a virtual assistant is another great job with part-time hours and a flexible schedule. Virtual assistants work in a wide range of industries and handle all kinds of requests from their clients or employers. Depending on your skills and area of expertise, you could wind up doing anything from researching business competitors to scheduling personal appointments. According to The Balance Small Business, some virtual assistants even provide bookkeeping and marketing services!
Consultant
Consultants provide advice and guidance to help people reach their goals or solve specific problems. As a consultant, you will use your own experience to troubleshoot issues and offer recommendations in your area of expertise. If you previously worked in marketing, for example, you could help businesses fine-tune their marketing strategies to drive traffic and generate more leads. Some other common types of consultants include sales, accounting, and legal consultants.
Online Tutor
Another way to share your knowledge is to become an online tutor. Tutors work with people of all ages, from young children to adults, either supplementing their formal education or teaching specific skills. This is an excellent job for retired teachers and professors! Before you become a tutor, you will need to decide on the skills or subjects that you want to teach. Your best bet is to sign up as a tutor with an online tutoring platform—these will provide the software and services you need to create an engaging learning experience for your clients.
If you want to jump back into work after retirement, a remote role may be perfect for you. You get to be your own boss, set your own hours, and build a reputable freelance business around your name. This is your chance to try something new, explore different roles, and pursue lifelong passions. Take the time to find a job that you will really get excited about!
“Sharon Wagner, a former bank manager, now spends her time helping seniors reach health and well-being goals. She created SeniorFriendly.info to provide helpful tips and advice to seniors on staying healthy and making the most out of life. She is also the author of the upcoming books, The Ultimate Guide to Senior-Friendly Workouts, Fitness Gear, Healthy Recipes, and More.”