There are a number of things to think about before you start you
search for part time jobs or part time work:
- What did I get out of work that was good? For example, many
people like the social aspects of work – meeting people and
working as a team. Others like the structure and routine it
gives. Some people just like the fact that it keeps their brain
ticking over, whilst others like the feeling of job
satisfaction.
- What didn’t I like about work? Many people don’t like the
bureaucracy whilst for others the routine of 9-5 every day is
anathema. You can no doubt think of your own betes noirs!
- What are my values and preferences? These are the things
that are important to you when you do things. For example, do
you like to be in control or do you quite like being told what
to do and then carrying out instructions? Do you prefer working
with a lot of other people or do you like to get on by yourself?
Do you like having to solve problems? Do you like helping
others? Think about your own personality and character and what
it is that makes you happy and contented.
- What am I good at? What skills, personal qualities and
characteristics do I have that enable me to do a good job?
You’re much more likely to enjoy things that you are good at and
temperamentally suited to. That’s not to say you should not try
new things. But if you do try new avenues, think about whether
you will be comfortable going down them.
You need to understand what it is you want from work, what it is
that makes you happy and what sort of person you are before you
rush headlong into anything. There is no point in getting a part
time job
just for the sake of it and then being unhappy in your
retirement. It’s a time of choices; ensure you make the right
ones!
Paid or Voluntary Work
The questions above apply whether you want voluntary or paid
work, and this is the next question to consider. Which do I
want?
You need to examine your motives for working. If you need the
money to be able to realise the opportunities that retirement
presents to you, then of course you need to get paid work. But
think carefully and ask yourself if you want or need the money
badly enough to be tied to paid work. Maybe the other option is
to scale back on the list of things you want to do so you don’t
have to go to work. What are your priorities?
If, on the other hand, your primary objective for finding a part
time job is not money, then you might well opt for the voluntary
sector. If you want the social aspect of work, you want to ‘give
something back’ to the community or if you want to keep active
physically, mentally or both, then unpaid work might suit you
better.
Retirement does not necessarily mean giving up work for good.
Indeed, work provides a necessary ingredient of many people’s
retirement because they do not feel ready to put their feet up
for good just because they leave their job at 60, 65 or
whatever.
There are a huge number of options for you. You can choose full
time or part time jobs in either paid work or in the voluntary sector. You can work for
someone else or you can work for yourself. The good thing is
that you can choose, so choose something that you feel will suit
you best. Before you rush headlong into it, stop, think and do
some planning so that you make the right choice.
Work can be stimulating an rewarding; if and when you come to
choose work in retirement, make sure that you pick something
that will enhance your retirement and make it the most
satisfying time of your life.
For further information on part
time jobs and work in retirement click on the links below:
Part Time
Paid Work
Part
Time Voluntary Work
Visit our
Pre-retirement Courses
section here on laterlife or our
dedicated Retirement Courses site
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