How to Update Your Skills for Re-Entering the Workforce After Retirement

Many people believe that retirement is permanent. Once you leave your career of many years, we might think, you’re out of the workforce for good. 

But for many, this isn’t the case. In a recent study of retirees, 49 percent went back to work part-time, and 12 percent returned full-time. The Encore Boston Network survey also didn’t find that all of the older adults who returned to work went back to their old jobs or even the professions they’d held before. Rather, retirees used the increased flexibility of retirement to seek different opportunities. 

“What we see a lot is that people are reevaluating their priorities and seeing this as a time in their life where they can do some things that perhaps were not possible. That requires a certain amount of flexibility,” said Doug Dickson of Encore Boston Network.

For instance, some former retirees work part-time in the travel and hospitality industry, where they can have more time off or perks for their own vacations. Others become freelancers in new industries or consultants in fields they worked in before.

What if you’ve been retired for a while and want to find a job again? Here, we’ll talk about the skills you need to re-enter the workforce after retirement.

 

? Take a course to boost your skills.

If you’ve been out of the workforce for a while or want to transition into a new field, consider taking a college or re-training course. 

“People looking to start working after retirement that need a little bit of catching up with their existing industry can also benefit from these resources. Online options are very flexible alternatives and often allow you to go at your own pace,” said Jennifer Verta for job site Monster. 

Unfortunately, some hiring managers might believe that older adults aren’t tech-savvy, so you may want to take a course that gives you practice with in-demand software in your industry. For instance, research the technology that’s widely used in your industry. Then, explore those platforms through an online learning site like Coursera.

 

? Get up-to-date with trends in your previous or future industry.

If you don’t take a course, you still want to get up to speed on trends in your industry. Even if you’ve only been out of the workforce for a few years, you’ll likely be out of touch about some innovations in your field. 

So, build your knowledge by subscribing to industry newsletters, following thought leaders on LinkedIn, and subscribing to some industry-specific newsletters. This way, you’ll know about the trends in your industry and can speak about them in your cover letters and interviews. 

At the same time, you might find new full-time or part-time roles you might not have otherwise known about. Perhaps you’ll find a new job that you want to pursue for your second act!

 

? Consider building your skills with a volunteer job.

If you’re concerned that your skills are out of date or haven’t held a job for several years, one of your best bets is to volunteer.

While you’ll still want to include your work history on your resume, you can mention how your volunteer work helped you boost skills you already had. 

“For example, running or participating in the local PTA or a religious organization’s council board gave you management and leadership skills; raising funds for charities required sales and marketing savvy; caring for a child or aging parent helped build time management, organizational and listening skills,” said financial advising firm Morgan Stanley.

 

? Identify the skills you already have – and talk about them in your applications.

If you’ve retired, you may worry that your skills are no longer good enough.

Certainly, there is ageism in hiring, but many companies are seeing the benefits of hiring older employees. 

Don’t sell your skills short. You’ve had decades of professional experience, and that’s valuable. So, when you’re searching for a re-entry position or a career shift, start thinking about how your skills and experience translate to the job descriptions you’re seeing. You might find that your experience is more relevant than you think. 

“You might need a little refresh on new developments, but that’s nothing compared to decades of experience on the job. Being in the same industry for that long, you know how to handle a great variety of situations. Plus, chances are you’ve mastered interpersonal skills just as well since you spent so long in the game,” said Verta. 

 

How to Re-Enter the Workforce After Retirement

 

Many retirees enjoy re-entering the workforce after retirement. Not only can they find more flexible jobs than they had before, but they may also have the financial stability to pursue fulfilling second careers in new industries. 

If you’ve been retired for a while and want to get back in the game, consider taking a course, exploring trends in your industry, or volunteering to glean more recent work experience. 

At the same time, identifying connections between the skills you already have and the job you want can be edifying for many retirees. Though you may need to brush up a little, you’re likely to discover that at least some of your skills are transferable. After all, that’s the benefit of being a mature worker: you have more wisdom to offer than your younger counterparts. 

Ready to start hunting for your ideal post-retirement job? Read our guide “8 Tips for Job Searching After 50.”