Best Work at Home Jobs for Boomers & Retirees

Many boomers and retirees are looking for ways to make extra money to help make ends meet.  If you are looking for ways to join the tens of thousands of Americans who work at home in areas like

• Telemarketing
• Direct Selling
• Writing or Editing
• Working as a Virtual Agent
• Doing Medical Transcription
• Tutoring
• Selling On-Line (eBay, Craigslist,
• Freelancing 

Check the information out here (http://www.retiredbrains.com/work-at-home)

More Part-Time & Temporary Jobs Available

The country’s economic recovery could be particularly beneficial for Boomers and seniors looking for jobs while they are “retired” as estimates suggest that contingent labor could increase its penetration as employers seek ways to avoid paying benefits.
“Don't assume because you are an executive, a professional or in management that temporary jobs or project assignments are not for you.”
“This is good news for boomers, seniors and retirees, as this demographic is often more likely to be hired on a part-time, temporary or project assignment basis,” said Art Koff, founder of www.RetiredBrains.com, a job and information service for Americans 50 and older.

“Many older workers do not require the company benefits of full-time employment,” said Koff. “They are often in a better position than their younger counterparts who must receive company benefits for themselves and their families.”

Depending on the hours worked, the length of the assignment and other factors, employers can save on contingency labor by avoiding expensive company benefits. It is also a great deal easier to off-board contingency workers than full-time employees. And employers with a departmental or companywide hiring freeze can hire temporary employees from a different budget, thereby avoiding hiring freeze limitations altogether.

The number of Americans working part-time or temporary jobs for economic reasons (often because they are unable to find full-time jobs) has increased substantially. It’s a trend that sees America catching up Europe, where employers use a much higher percentage of temporary and part-time workers than their U.S. counterparts.

According to a Workforce Management article their survey showed "73% of responding employers are planning to increase their use of contingent labor."

And while jobs are still tough to find, there are ways for boomers and retirees to maximize the opportunity. The key is knowing where to look and what to do to improve your chances of being hired once an opening is located. “Temp employment and freelancing are two of the few sectors of the labor market that continue to grow and should be explored by all job seekers, regardless of age or the type of position that’s sought,” Koff said.

”Don't assume because you are an executive, a professional or in management that temporary jobs or project assignments are not for you,” Koff pointed out.

In 2013 and so far in 2014, firms like Kelly Services, Aerotek, Adecco and Manpower placed many thousands – including company presidents, lawyers, controllers, sales managers and senior level managers – in assignments that paid anywhere from $80,000 to several hundred thousand dollars a year. Retirees and Boomers who have the skills and experience can often work several different project assignments and earn more than if they worked for a single company. These types of jobs usually provide no health insurance, sick days, vacation, retirement benefits, severance, access to unemployment insurance or stock options for top-level executives, all of which makes them a particularly good fit for many older workers who can accept temporary or retirement jobs without benefits.

Check out the employment assistance pages (http://www.retiredbrains.com/employment-assistance) which offers a great deal of information employment opportunities and retirement jobs for boomers, seniors and retirees. Jobs can be searched by areas of experience, geographic preference, full-time or part-time opportunities, and temporary and project assignments. The site also provides a great deal of business start-up information (http://www.retiredbrains.com/employment-assistance/start-your-own-business)  including a list of franchises (http://www.retiredbrains.com/employment-assistance/start-your-own-business/franchises/franchise-list-and-costs)  and the kinds of research necessary that can improve the chances of success in starting your own business.

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6 Ways to Increase Your Retirement Income

by Art Koff, Founder of RetiredBrains.com

1. Annuities may be considered a form of "reverse insurance" that generate income for a retired individual instead of money for beneficiaries. For more information click here.
2. A life settlement involves the sale of an unwanted, unneeded, or unaffordable life insurance policy for a comparatively larger cash sum. For more information click here .
3. A reverse mortgage essentially converts equity in an asset [one's home] into income. For more information click here.
4. A structured settlement basically involves accelerating the collection of installment-type monies due the individual [such as a damages award] into a discounted lump sum 
5. Post-retirement work is a job in which you receive compensation as an employee or self-employed individual, where the key may be the impact on Social Security benefits - income and health. Click here for more information.
6. Delay Social Security Benefits. If you retire at 62, you’ll receive about $750 a month, according to Social Security. Wait to 66, you’ll get $1,000. Wait until 70, you’ll get $1,320.
   
   Here are examples assuming you would receive a monthly benefit of $1,000 a month had you waited to start collecting until your full retirement age of 66.

• Start collecting at age 62 and you’ll receive $750 a month.
• Start collecting at 63 instead, you’ll get $800 a month.
• Start collecting at 64, you’ll receive $866 a month.
• Start collecting at 65, you’ll get $933 a month.
• Start collecting at 66 — full retirement age — and you’ll receive the full $1,000 a month.
• Start collecting at 67, you’ll receive $1,080 a month — an 8% increase.
• Start collecting at 68, you’ll receive $1,160 a month.
• Start collecting at 69, you’ll receive $1,240 a month.
• Start collecting at 70, you’ll receive $1,320 a month — which is 32% more than if you started drawing benefits at age 66.

For more information check out Social Security information
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Our Blog readers have asked us to cover various topics. Suggest topics by clicking here.
If your suggestion is used we will send you a complimentary copy of Invent Your Retirement: Resources for the Good Life as a thank you.

Future topics that will be covered:

•    Starting a business with little or no cash investment
•   Work at home part-time to earn $$
•    Discounts on products and services
•   Type 2 diabetes information
•    Boomer & senior travel information
•   Volunteering 
•  The high cost of health care

7 Tips to Help You Prepare for a Job Interview

By Art Koff, Founder of RetiredBrains.com

Unfortunately many job seekers make errors in their job interview which cost them the opportunity of being hired. This is particularly true for those that have been out of work for some time. These tips, if followed, should offer you the best opportunity of getting the job or at the very least receiving the consideration you deserve if your background and skills are a match for the opening.


#1: Interview with a temp firm or staffing organization prior to interviewing with an employer. These interviews are relatively easy to get and are good practice. You don't want to go to your first interview in a long time and make easily correctable mistakes. Every job interview you have will make the next one easier. A "bad" job interview, one in which you gave poor answers to questions asked, should be a learning experience. Register with the temp firm as they could place you with one of their clients.

#2: Get information on the perspective employer prior to your interview. Research the employer using a search engine to see who their customers are, learn more about their products or services, and examine the company culture. Try to find someone at the employer and network with this individual. A CareerXroads survey found that referred candidates have a 31-to-1 chance of getting hired, vs. a 500-to-1 chance for candidates that come via other means.

#3: Revise and update your resume. Go to a professional or resume service as the resume you used years ago is no longer appropriate. You should also have your resume on your computer so you can modify it, highlighting the experience appropriate for the job you are seeking. A single general resume for all interviews is not the best way to get hired. Click here for resume writing help.

#4: Even if you are interested in full-time work, consider starting on a project basis.. When applying for a job, tell the employer you are willing to start working as a consultant or on a project basis; this often gives you a leg up on workers who are often unable to accept these kinds of employment. Temporary employment or working on a consultative basis can often lead to full-time work. Check here for resources for executives, professionals and managers interested in project assignments.

#5: If you are in-between jobs volunteer with a charity or nonprofit. Although in most cases there is little or no monetary compensation, it is often excellent experience and can possibly lead to employment with an employer that is seeking that particular experience or appreciates your work ethic. It is also easier to find employment while you are working, as you have a better mind set. For information on volunteering click here.

#6: Assess your situation today versus years ago. Below are some questions you might ask yourself in preparation for a job interview.

·       What do I want?

·       What are my values?

·       Do I need to make a difference or make big bucks?

·       What are my core strengths?

#7. Plan your interview and be prepared to present yourself.  Be conversant with the work you've done as it relates to the position and, practice explaining this with a friend or family member before your next interview.
Don't be concerned that employers are not interested in you. Interview as if you are the best candidate for the job.