Seniors Site

So you finally realized—and accepted—that now is the right time for a career change but still a little doubtful if you still have the energy and time to do it. Of course, let’s not forget the financial aspect of it. However, it is not uncommon for seniors to hold on to that lifelong dream and actually fulfilling it.

Most seniors often welcome thoughts of career changes when nearing retirement while some do it well over their retirement, or as soon as boredom strikes. One of the most influencing factors in a career change is the desire of the senior to break free from their almost monotonous life. In other words, an active senior is not to be expected to stay still; they will find a way to make an adventure out of their lives and somehow make it worthwhile.

If you are a senior and would like to add another life stage to your already colorful one, then at the very least, make sure you are doing it right and pain-free. Below is a guide for seniors who are thinking of a career change but a little hesitant on what to do next:

•    Gauge yourself and your capabilities. There’s no doubt about a senior’s learning capabilities especially if they really want to make it happen, however, we all know that an aging body has its own limitations which we cannot really push aside when starting a new career path. Knowing your health limits will help you determine your longterm goals.
•    Assessing your financial capabilities. Starting out, whether you expect to be employed or trying your hand at business, is tough—financially speaking. Think back, say when you were 20-something and trying your best to land a job, didn’t you experience 2-3 months of almost no money in your pocket? It’s like that now, the only difference is that you have time to plan ahead and stretch that dollar to tide you over until next paycheck. Expect to be penniless for 6 months.
•    Take advantage of government programs for seniors. It may not have occurred to you that your government is actually working to make your life easier. There are many benefits available to you as soon as you reach the age of 65, you just have to take that first time towards it.
•    Know your goals. Having reasonable goals is the key to actually getting there. Are you planning to work fulltime for the next ten years or you just have to fulfill a wish and be done with it? Important factors are the amount of time needed to complete the goal, the structure you are aiming to build or how you plan to reach your goal and most especially, your gain, whether it is financially or otherwise.
•    Take the first step. Of course, no matter how much you plan, if you don’t walk toward your dream then nothing will happen. They say the first step is always the hardest but after taking it, you’ll see that the next one will be so much easier!

Debunking myths about senior workers is quite hard since it comes with a little bit of discrimination on the side. You can’t really blame a 30-year old hiring manager to be doubtful of their senior applicants as it is already forged in their minds since childhood that older people should be treated delicately and they really couldn’t do what younger people can do which leaves many seniors jobless and unfortunately penniless.

While there are ways to squirm your way out of this situation like building a network before hand and aiming for a consultant work even before you reach your retirement, sad thing is, many seniors were hit by the financial crisis unprepared. Add to that the persistent notion that seniors aren’t capable of handling hard labor anymore—a notion that even we, seniors, sometimes believe.

To give you a morale boost, here are some myths—busted—for senior workers or those looking for work:

MYTH 1:  Older people do not stay long with the company. Unless you look like as if you have gone to a chemo therapy session and back (sick and all), there’s no reason for companies to not hire you just because of this myth. In reality, older people tend to stay put since they usually have strong sense of loyalty for the company they work for.

MYTH 2:  Clients prefer to work with younger people. Contrary to this notion, clients do prefer to work with older people as much as possible since clients tend to trust older people than working with younger employees.

MYTH 3:  Senior workers take more days off than younger ones. Older workers seldom take days off unless it is a real illness. They never miss work for personal reasons.

MYTH 4:  Senior workers do not use technology to lighten up work load. Who says older people don’t know how to use the computer? Unless we’re really really old, say a hundred, then I’m proud to say that we seniors do know how to use techie stuff as efficiently as younger workers do.

MYTH 5:  Seniors are productivity-impaired. Yes, it may not be possible for us to be doing yoga while closing a deal but with years-experience, working already became a second nature to us, eliminating mistakes younger workers tend to commit.

MYTH 6:  Our brains are resistant to learning. With the right amount of training, senior workers are adaptable to changes and they do learn quickly. With the technology of today, when everything is done with a single click of a button, our ability to move faster becomes unimportant.

Gone are the days when you go from one company to another just to apply for mobile and internet plans. Back then, these two come in separates. Two plans, two bills, two different services. For a person who works departmentalized, this is a good thing since you’ll be able to fix a thing without doing any changes on the other one. However, as technology advances, so does these plans and quite confusingly, the birth of techie lingo which complicates a senior’s mind.

Nonetheless, communication is important to seniors and although most of us hate changes, we’re forced to live with them. Knowing how to navigate your way through this will even save you pennies and at the same time, suit your needs perfectly. So, in an attempt to somehow lessen the burden, here is a handy guide for seniors who are looking for the right mobile and internet plans to use:

•    Bundles. Telecommunication companies are now offering services by the bundle. In a bundle, you are most likely to have a cable TV, internet connection and home phone line. With bundles, seniors will just have to pay one bill for all services, saving you time and energy when paying. You’ll notice too that you cut cost dramatically as compared to having 3 separate bills.
•    Don’t be fooled by “super fast, super big capacity” internet connection. Telecommunication companies are selling plans according to speed. While it is tempting to pay for the fastest one, notice the difference on how much you’ll be paying. In reality, you don’t have to pay for the fastest one, unless you plan to download movies and play hardcore online games all day long, since the cheapest one is reliable enough for your needs. You can upgrade any time anyway.
•    Go for VoIP and online calls. If you are to choose between a home phone and an internet connection, do get the latter as it can be used for calling home phones as well. VoIP or Voice Over Internet  Protocol is the newest technology created for making phone calls over the internet. For me it’s designed to replace your home phone whether they admit it or not! Not only VoIP calls are more convenient but also cheaper—you can even make calls for free!
•    Dialup, broadband or ADSL? If the internet connection will be used by multiple users within the area, you’re better off with an ADSL however, if there will be one computer terminal for an internet connection, your best bet would be a broadband. Throw dialup out the window, you won’t be needing this.
•    Mobile plan or just prepaid. Mobile phone companies are now offering phones that can be reloaded with credits when needed but can still be called when it doesn’t have one. These two have their own pros and cons. Choose the right one depending on your needs.

Finding a job in your 50s or 60s is certainly no-joke. First, most jobs found on local ads are age-specific and require skills that scream “young blood!!”. There may be some lucky seniors who are bound to become a supervisor or perhaps a consultant with a decent salary to boot but that will require years of experience or a college degree—something that not all seniors have. Nonetheless, this should never stop us from getting the job we want at any age as there are ways to be on top of everybody else when applying for your dream job!

This is where informational interview comes in handy. Informational interview is not your conventional “hire-me” interview, in fact, instead of the company getting to know you, informational interview is the other way around since it is you who are getting to know the company or a certain field. In a way, an informational interview will give you an edge over your fellow job seekers since you have firsthand, inside information of what you need to land your dream job.

I would like to consider informational interview as part of your research when trying to establish expertise over a field. We do know that at your age, it is important that you already have at least one “expertise” under your belt to be considered as “hire-worthy”. Moreover, informational interviews will help you determine if you are a good fit for a job or if you’ll be able to handle the demands that come with it. Only a person with experience on a certain job will know for sure, and they should be the one to interview. Consider them as your resource person. Your resource person can be found through friends, family and even associations, depending on the type of job you are aiming for.

Now that you know what an informational interview is, interviewing your resource person still requires some etiquette, the same ones you are most likely to throw at a hiring manager. It will also help if you do basic research on the job prior to interviewing your resource person as it will help you with the right questions to ask and basically putting you on the same page with the person you are about to interview. As much as possible, know your resource person as well so you won’t risk asking offensive questions or make such remarks. Typically, you would want to ask questions like how many hours per day the work will take and how a typical day at work is. This will give you an idea if you will be able to keep up with the work demand. Don’t forget to thank you resource person after the interview. A small token of appreciation will go a long way!

Let’s face it, not all retirement plans end in a successful fruition. Some seniors I know, or those nearing retirement are quick to admit, it really takes a lot more than careful planning. Worse, if luck is not on your side, market shares drop unexpectedly, leaving you with last minute, frantic calculations of your liquid assets and those unattended extra something you can quickly turn into cash, i.e assets you failed to notice then when you were living comfortably.

Sadly, I have heard stories from friends—and I am sure, you have heard them too—seniors delaying retirement for 5 or so more years just to make sure they won’t experience a “dry spell”—something that is far from amusing when you are well into your retirement age..

Lucky are those who were granted to work some more years but how about those who already went on with their retirement only to realize they needed to go back to work? Here are some tips for landing a better retirement job because for me, going back to work while retired need not be a pain at all!

•    Start local. There are jobs you can find without going too far from your own home—you just have to look for them and in some instances, be creative enough to spot opportunities. You can even inquire with your last place of work for job openings or part time jobs. If you did good during your working years, there is a big chance they will hire you again.
•    Aim for part-time jobs, if possible. You still need to somehow enjoy your retirement years, which means a work should not occupy 100% of your time anymore. You just don’t have the energy for that anymore and you are wasting valuable time if you do. Having part-time jobs is enough to tide you over, along with other monetary aid you’re supposed to be receiving.
•    Look for temporary jobs. Companies are now hiring for projects on a temporary basis. Jobs like this are usually not critical of age and would hire base on expertise. Aside from that, temporary jobs pay as much as regular jobs, sometimes even higher.
•    Join community programs. Government indeed takes care of their people. You just have to get out there and join. While you can volunteer for programs, paying jobs are also available.
•    Expand your horizons. All you need is a little background on something and you’re off to something big—on your free time! Join free seminars and watch online instructional videos for free. Learning something new will help you land a job that is both enjoyable and fulfilling.

Seems like working at home is on the rise as I have been receiving questions from my senior friends regarding this. There are many whats, hows and ifs, however, if you are quite familiar on how computers and the internet work, you are most likely to find your niche—or your own place—in no time!

For business-minded seniors who have limited startup budget or perhaps looking for a more flexible way of operating a store, that is without physically being there all the time, then an online store is for you. You’ll be quite amazed to see how online stores have evolved these days and store-owner support is stronger than ever—some don’t even require an uber-techie person to have one up and running!

Have services to offer? You can actually offer services of any kind to anybody over the internet. And when I say, anything, I do mean anything! But for the wholesomeness of it all, I will just talk about those clerical and office skills you may have or were able to hone over the years working 9-5. This includes bookkeeping, typing, transcriptions, data entry and coding. These are very much in demand nowadays and there are marketplaces in the internet wherein you can join and be found by potential employers.

However, working from home doesn’t mean you are free from paying taxes and other insurance issues. They still exist, mind you. If you are thinking of opening your home to make way for a small business you have in mind, be sure to ask your broker of your insurance coverage and have them arrange what is needed for your small business. They may have to adjust your coverage or have you get another one for the business.

When it comes to taxes, make sure your accountant is well-informed of your decision as you still need to pay municipal and corporate taxes unless you qualify for an exemption. Also, take advantage of other deductions involved when working from home. Just make sure you qualify for one before you actually make a claim.

Make sure you also check your local zoning laws since it can make or break your small business. Zoning laws restrict certain kinds of establishment so it is best to check them out and see if your business is allowed before actually putting it up. Saves you a lot of headaches in the long run.

Don’t forget your license. Businesses, no matter how big or small, require licenses and permits, if you want to operate legally. Check with your local authorities for requirements.

What I really , really love about computers, internet and indeed the world wide web is the ability to share valuable information without having to go out there and work your way against obstacles. I will tell you about the first time I fell inlove with the technology: back then, there’s no internet, just your simple desktop computer and few gigantic, impossible looking laptops. What amazed me was the convenient it had brought me while typing, saving my files and printing, not to mention a few selection of fonts you could play with.
Then came the internet. Although it was quite limited back then as compared to what internet has now become, still I considered it a breakthrough. I began emailing my friends, instead of writing them letters all the time—I still do that when I feel like it though. Now, I would like to call this phase as a “sharing era” when everything can be shared—and apparently, learned. There’s no limit now, you can find virtually everything over the internet. From your grandkid’s homework to your daughter’s Facebook to your neighbor’s famous apple pie recipe, they are all just a few clicks away. That’s not all, to top that, almost everything you can find over the internet is for free!
The latest trend however would be e-learning. For seniors who would like to learn something—anything—this late in their lives but are having a hard time figuring out how to go out of their houses and attend classes, e-learning is for you. E-learning usually doesn’t require anything for seniors to join. Some are conducted as formal classes where you listen to an instructor/teacher and throw questions at the end of each session. They can be in form of webminars—seminars that are conducted over the interent—or video recorded classes wherein you can view them anytime you want. Tests are also given to ensure you get the right feel and of course, to assess if you’re able to learn something from it. Tests are usually submitted through emails as well as correspondence between professors and students. Paid courses are usually credited and can be added to your resume, if need be. Some of the most popular courses are:  web animation, website design and web programming.
If you are interested in joining e-classes, there are some few things you need to get you started. First, you need a good internet connection—preferably fast enough for video and audio downloads—and a little know-how on clicking the play/stop/pause buttons. Seniors might also want to buy a separate USB stick to save files to as backup or to view them offline, although it is not required.

The problem with job seeking seniors is, most of the time, they had been out of the playing field far too long that they don’t know how to play the game anymore! Similar to dating, times have changed. Those which worked before such as pickup lines and dining out may no longer be applicable today and may even cost you your chance of getting the job you want.
Before you go on fierce job hunting, it is important to remember that a proper mindset is a must. Nowadays, companies know what they want from an employee long before they announce their need for one—and unfortunately, they don’t look back in firing an employee if he falls short of what’s expected of him since they know applicants are most likely be lining out their doors as soon as you leave the office premises! Sad but true.
So this blog post is to update job seeking seniors who would like to still be in the corporate world despite its very demanding nature. I believe that there are people who were born to be in the corporate world, then there are those who prefer otherwise. The same can be said for seniors or older adults in the workforce.
TECHNIQUE 1:  Get connections—top honchos to back you up. Gone are the days when you get a job just because a dear friend helped you squirm your way into the company office. In fact, most companies avoid getting tangled to such mess since they are not getting the most out of their employees—and it is bad for the company rep too.
TECHNIQUE 2:  Generalized or pre-made resume—include everything you know, even those vaguely connected to the job you are applying to. While it is good to let the hiring manager know that you are indeed an all-around guy or gal, it can backfire. Be more specific. Keep your resume as short and simple as possible—and right on target. What’s important is that your hiring manager will know that you are suitable for the job.
TECHNIQUE 3:  Come strong—and confident. Yes, it is good to be confident—confident that you can do the job right, that is. The company doesn’t need someone who is too strong since it is a sure sign that you are not flexible enough to accept changes when they happen. They just need you to be honest so they will know if they are choosing the right one for the job—never take it personally.
TECHNIQUE 4:  Brandishing your degrees to get the top position. Unfortunately, everyone needs to start from bottom and work their way up, unless your years-experience will be credited. When applying for a job, take it at face value and never expect something more or else, you’ll end up disappointed.

Let’s face it, sometimes it gets really frustrating at work especially if your career has already become a routine for you. Or perhaps you lost interest and would rather do something else. However, we all know that is not easy to just drop everything, pack your bags and leave since most of us are bound by 101 financial reasons.
Nonetheless, not having enough motivation at work does not always mean you do not like your work anymore. Maybe you just need a quick break or you have been knee deep all along and it’s already stressing you out. Here are some tips on how to maintain a healthy career motivation for us, older adults, who are still in the workforce:
•    Try something new. There should be no such thing as monotonous career. If indeed you feel like you are having one, then it’s time to introduce challenge to your work. Try something new, just to help you get engaged again. Aside from that, you’ll be able to get your career to a whole new level.
•    Find new opportunities. New opportunities represent challenge and work. There’s no better way to get yourself motivated than finding new opportunities and ultimately be successful in making them work to your advantage.
•    Avoid complex situations. Sometimes, having too much complication at work will frustrate you enough to shut your whole brain down, affecting your work flow. To avoid this, try a more targeted approach and focus on the things that matters most. Trivial things can wait.
•    Step back and assess your problem. Is you career weighing you down or it lacks the “kick”? Knowing for certain what you want and how you want it done will help you get your motivation back.
•    Perhaps a change in scenery? As we age, it is only understandable that our body, mind and soul will crave change as well. Perhaps a change in pace or starting anew. While seniors may find it impossible to stop working altogether, you can always find ways to lessen the burden or make it more enjoyable for you to accomplish.
•    Set up goals. Having a definite purpose career-wise will help you stay motivated. It’s like walking toward one goal in which your path is well lit.
•    Remember where motivation comes from. It comes from within you, by the way. You can push yourself ‘til kingdom come but if motivation does not manifest by itself, then maybe it’s time for you to move on.

Oftentimes, although we fail to acknowledge, our workplace becomes the very source of stress. For seniors, this spells catastrophe since your workplace should be one of the few places where you seek solace and refuge. This should be the place where you get creative and put together ideas, not something that represents chaos and depression.
Mind you, it happens—even to the most workaholic person I know of. Ever heard of complaints such as “I need a change” or perhaps “I don’t feel like working today”? That’s because their workplace is starting to feel like it’s closing in on them and there’s nowhere to run anymore.
It was said that your workplace represents your psychological—even mental—state. But what if it drives you crazy, would that mean you can easily be distracted by your environment as well? With these handy tips on how to rebuild your workspace, you are sure to get what you want from it and ensure it serves its purpose well!
•    List the things that annoy you the most when working. This should be easy as you are most certainly be noticing these things beforehand. Will it be the noise down the street or perhaps that neighbor’s dog barking up everytime someone passes their door? Annoying thing can be irritating and it really breaks your momentum causing you to slow down or lose interest altogether. These are the things you need to give attention first when rebuilding your workspace.
•    Your workspace should imbibe feeling of privacy—where you can be left alone with your thoughts. If you are working at home, the most ideal set up would be a whole room for your workspace. In an office setting, however, where cubicles are most popular. Try to pick a spot wherein you own at least one wall on any side just to avoid feeling too exposed.
•    Set up your workspace closer to the window. This gives you a breathing space when things are getting heavy without the need to leave your seat, or your work, for that matter. Also it creates an illusion that your workspace is much larger than it really is.
•    Have someone nearby but do not get in the middle of it all. This applies to seniors who are still working in an office set-up. Yes, you need your time alone but you also need someone to remind you that you are still a human and you are part of the office, not someone who should be taken for granted. On the contrary, getting yourself in the middle of it all will make you feel you’re just one of the many faces easily forgotten.
•    Proper lighting is important. If you cannot get enough natural lighting then have someone install a bulb in your workspace to enable you to see your work properly.