Many retirees are eager to find a fulfilling and flexible second-act career. After decades of working in the same field, lots of people dream of pursuing something new in retirement. It’s no wonder that most of us find reinvention stories about the accountant turned vintner or the lawyer turned cheese maker so irresistible.
Of course, while extreme reinvention sounds exciting, in reality, most second-act careers aren’t nearly so dramatic. Starting in a whole new field when you’re in your 60s takes a lot of energy, learning and drive. And it’s frustrating to suddenly be the low man or woman on the totem pole again. It’s often easier to pursue a second act that is connected to your long-time career.
[See: 10 Fun Part-Time Jobs for Retirement.]
Now, this doesn’t mean you’re limited to doing the same job, in the same industry, in the same way that you work today. But when you build on at least a small piece of what you currently do, it will help ease the transition to a second-act career.
Fortunately, in today’s gig-centric economy, there are endless ways to repurpose your favorite skills into a more lifestyle-friendly career. For example, you could consult for your current employer or other firms in your industry. You could take on freelance projects, either as an independent contractor or a temp worker — both within and outside your industry. Or you might really enjoy working as an adjunct professor, online instructor, author or speaker.
Granted, it can take time to find just the right fit. But with drive and creative thinking, you’re sure to craft a satisfying solution. So, if you’re eager to expand your world of possibilities, here are 10 questions to help stimulate your thinking:
1. What opportunities, services or products are currently being overlooked in your industry? Within every profession, there are opportunities to create new and needed products and services. In your industry, you may have noticed a need for a new training program, a conference or a recruiting service. Or, perhaps through your volunteer work, you’ve seen a need for assistance with marketing, fundraising or writing grants.
2. Which of your skills could you market on a freelance and flexible basis? Think in terms of your favorite and highest-value work related skills. What are you best known for? For example, perhaps you’ve been a star salesperson who could now coach local businesses on ways to generate more sales. Or you could leverage your bilingual skills to work as a translator for local law firms.
3. Do you have technology-related expertise that could help someone become more efficient or profitable? Most of us have a hard time keeping up with technological change. That’s why companies of all sizes (and individual consumers as well) hire independent contractors, consultants and coaches to assist with programming, web design, social media and other tech-related tasks.
4. What tools can you create to make it easier for people to do their job, accomplish their goals or enjoy their hobbies? Take a look at what’s missing and figure out how you can plug the gaps. For example, you might develop a physical tool, import a useful accessory or build a mobile app.
[See: 10 Ways to Celebrate Your Retirement.]
5. What services can you provide to mentor or teach the next generation of talent? With the boomers starting to retire, more companies are starting to focus on developing the next generation of leaders. To address this issue, you could create a monthly seminar series, offer individual coaching services or help companies develop a company-wide mentoring program.
6. Could you leverage your industry expertise as a consultant, board member or advisor? Companies pay well to secure advice from industry leaders, seasoned executives and acknowledged experts in their respective fields. They also hire consultants to support key projects and assist their full-time employees.
7. What services, events or initiatives can you create to make your industry more inclusive for all? Promoting gender, racial, multi-cultural and age-related diversity is a hot topic for many companies these days. What service offerings, such as manager training, conferences or guidebooks, could you create around this topic?
8. Is there a need for your business expertise outside the business world? There might be ways to blend your business skills with your personal interests. For example, one man used his corporate marketing expertise to build a very profitable online business that teaches magicians how to book more business.
9. How can you help others do things better or more efficiently? Perhaps you can break your recipe for success into distinct steps. If you’ve mastered a complicated process you might be able to turn that process into a book, class, or coaching program, such as how to hire top level talent using LinkedIn, how to run a successful catering service or how to use Facebook to promote your business.
[See: 10 Jobs Hiring Older Workers.]
10. What opportunities can you create, online and off, for your community to connect? Within every industry, people look for opportunities to connect with colleagues. Perhaps you can create an association, conference, event or online platform to connect people.
Remember, there is always some small piece of your background — technical know-how, special “insider” expertise or a community of connections — that can serve as the foundation of your next act. Happy brainstorming.
Nancy Collamer is the author of “Second-Act Careers: 50+ Ways to Profit From Your Passions During Semi-Retirement” and blogs at mylifestylecareer.com.
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10 Questions To Help You Discover a Fulfilling Second-Act Career originally appeared on usnews.com
