How to Find a Part-Time Job After Retirement

According to iHire's What Candidates Want: 2023 Job Seeker Report, part-time jobs are especially popular with people over 50. However, it can be particularly challenging for this demographic to find the employment they seek. Research by Generation found that among job seekers, 63% of those aged 45 and above remain unemployed for over a year, a stark contrast to only 36% of those aged 18 to 24.

This article will provide job seekers over age 50 with information about how to find part-time jobs after retirement, hints about where to look for part-time employment, and tips to use when applying.

Why Get a Part-Time Job?

For a variety of reasons, many people in the United States continue to work at least part-time even after retirement. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 56% of Americans between the ages of 60 and 64 work at least part-time. More than 32% of people between 65 and 69 continue to work. 

You may be wondering, "Should I get a part-time job?" The answer to that question may lie within the reasons so many people over 50 prefer part-time employment.

Many people work well into their 60s for economic reasons. The average American's post-retirement Social Security income tends to be far less than what they earned before retirement. Working part-time can help relieve the stress and the financial burden such a drastically reduced income can cause. 

Some over 50 job seekers may be considering changing careers, slowing down, reducing stress, or embracing flexibility. Other people work to stay active, interact with people, and get out of the house a few times a week. Regardless of your reasons, a part-time job may be exactly what you need.

Gig Work vs. Part-Time Jobs

A gig worker is someone who earns income outside of the traditional employer-employee relationship by performing temporary or freelance work on an on-demand basis. A part-time employee is one who works directly for a company but works fewer hours or fewer days per week than the company's comparable full-time employees.

If you want a steady income, you will likely find a part-time job preferable to gig work. A part-time job likely offers a set number of hours and a consistent job description, whereas gig work is more of a series of on-demand projects. At a part-time job, your employer handles calculating and deducting taxes from your regular paycheck. With gig work, you must have more in-depth knowledge about taxes and calculate and withhold the appropriate amount yourself or hire an accountant.

Where to Look for Part-Time Jobs

Many websites' purpose is to help people find jobs of all kinds. Some are less helpful than others when tracking down part-time jobs for job seekers over 50. iHire's job search function features a filter for part-time jobs, making it simple to focus on just the opportunities you want so you don't have to wonder how to search for part-time jobs.

You'll find a variety of potential opportunities on part-time job boards. Some part-time jobs for seniors can begin with volunteer work, such as at a hospital or a senior center. Some part-time jobs may be seasonal, such as jobs at tourist attractions, campgrounds, and national parks. You may want to search for remote part-time jobs for additional flexibility. Other ideas for potential part-time jobs, depending on your individual skills, can include:

• Bus driver
• Handyperson (performing such tasks as home repairs, carpentry, yard work, plumbing, etc.)
• Travel blogger
• Internet entrepreneur (for example, selling handmade crafts or dog treats online)
• Golf course maintenance
• Custodian at a school or other facility
• Grocery clerk or bagger
• Other types of retail store clerks or greeters
• Home health aide
• Tutor
• Teacher of music lessons
• Substitute teacher
• School cafeteria worker

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Tips for Applying for Part-Time Jobs

You may find seeking part-time work after reaching the age of 50 can be quite different from part-time job hunting in your late teens and early twenties. Many more seasoned workers have encountered ageism at some point in their careers. Here are some tips for job seekers over 50 to mitigate age bias while looking for part-time employment.

1. Think about the type of part-time job you want.

Keep an open mind while considering the type of job that interests you. Search for opportunities in a variety of fields, and don't limit yourself to searching for one specific job. 

Consider your passions, regardless of your previous work experience. For example, if you love helping people but haven't worked directly with the public in the past, look for a part-time job that will allow you to help others.

2. Identify companies committed to hiring older workers. 

You will find numerous resources available to assist you. AARP's Employer Pledge Program is a group of more than 1,000 employers across America who value experienced workers and commit to building an age-inclusive workforce. In addition, the AgeFriendly Institute's Certified Age Friendly Employer (CAFE) program certifies employers committed to being the best places to work for employees aged 50 and up.

3. Update your job search materials. 

You can age-proof your resume by focusing on your recent job experience, eliminating older dates, optimizing your resume with keywords, and tailoring your resume to support the job in question instead of summarizing your entire work history. Also consider creating a LinkedIn profile, if you don't already have one.

While you’re making updates, it may be time to create a more modern email address to include on your resume. Use a professional, up-to-date email address, avoiding older, outdated email providers.

And consider updating your wardrobe, too. You don’t need to try too hard to look young or trendy, but your appearance should reflect your willingness to be adaptable.

4. Prepare for job interviews.

Do something as simple as practicing answering interview questions and preparing some talking points.

5. Expect your new job to require some technological knowledge. 

Show prospective employers you are tech-savvy by familiarizing yourself with any necessary programs or apps.

6. Emphasize your transferable skills.

Many skills are helpful across various jobs and fields. These can be such "soft skills" as:

• Communication
• Management
• Problem-solving
• Multitasking and time management
• Empathy
• Initiative
• Willingness to follow instructions
• Ability to work well with others 
• Dependability, reliability, and punctuality

7. Make part-time status work for you.

Many employers prefer to hire part-time employees, which is something you can make work in your favor. For example, if you're on Social Security and Medicare, you can comfortably tell the interviewer you're not looking for the fringe benefits some applicants might require.

8. Be persistent. 

Apply for multiple jobs daily, and be sure to follow up on your submitted applications with an email.

Finding a Part-Time Job Over 50

Looking for a part-time job when you're over 50 can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be. For more helpful information about job searching, visit iHire's Job Seeker Resource Center.