Top 5 Tips on Building a Second Career as Retirement Approaches
There are many valid reasons to seek out a second career right before retirement. Some people opt to take on a little more work to save a little more money. This money allows them to make payments towards their current mortgage or a put a down payment on a downsized home. Tying up financial loose ends is important before retirement.
Other people look for a second part-time career before retirement that they can use to taper themselves off of career life – they’ll stick with the second gig even after they’ve retired from their main career. Building a successful second career can be rewarding as you approach retirement. For some, this might involve starting a business. Every state has legal issues you should consider. For example, if you're considering setting up a company in the Sunshine State, navigating the legalities might seem intimidating. However, you can simplify matters by checking this guide on how to open an LLC in Florida. It breaks down the steps, making the process easier to understand and giving you more time to focus on your new entrepreneurial journey.
There are many important financial moves you should consider before you retire, and pursuing a second career might be one of them. No matter why you’ve chosen to pick up a second career, there are a few smart ways to help you get your foot in the door.
1. Go the Freelance Route
If your career involved a set of skills that can be used in a variety of ways, you can always take to freelancing. If you have decades of experience under your belt, people may be happy to hire you as a consultant. You can also make a freelance career out of proofreading or editing documents specific to the industry you have expertise in. The best part of freelancing is that you set your own rates and your own hours, so if you’re currently working a set schedule with your main career, you won’t need to worry about schedule conflicts.
2. Make Money Doing What You Love
Many people decide to monetize their hobbies in retirement. There are a wealth of ways to monetize hobbies. You can grow and sell herbs, produce, or flowers if you’re a gardener. You can sell woodworking crafts or creations you’ve sewn. It’s easy to set up a marketplace for your handmade goods on the internet. Many websites exist specifically for people who make their own goods to retail them safely and easily.
3. Build Something with Your Family
If you’ve always had a dream of starting your own business, you might feel like you’re running out of time. That feeling is disheartening, especially since retirement might be the only part of your life where you feel as though you’ve had enough freedom to start a business. If you have a family, you still can. You can become a part of launching the business you’ve always dreamed of if your family members are equally committed. After you retire, you can leave things in their capable hands. You can remain a chairperson and still receive income from the business long after you’ve stopped working.
4. Network Through Volunteer Work
The gift economy can create a perfect entryway into a new career opportunity. If you volunteer or give back to your community, you might be able to secure a paid position within the organization that facilitates or accepts that volunteer work. Many retirees find that positions like these are rewarding ways to spend their time after they’ve retired. Starting before retirement and continuing after retirement will keep you seamlessly active and involved in your community.
5. Look for Seasonal Opportunities
Seasonal jobs are excellent for retirees, especially if they don’t want to give up work entirely. It’s easy to find seasonal jobs on job boards. Retail opportunities spring up by the dozens between October and December. While they don’t pay remarkably well, they’re usually fairly simple jobs. If you can help customers complete transactions or stock shelves, you’re likely the perfect candidate for seasonal retail positions.