If you’re retired and you find yourself with a little extra time on your hands, consider online jobs (part or full-time) as a way to add purpose to your life, learn new skills, meet new people, and make some money.
Most of us look forward to retirement expecting it will be a time when we can finally kick back and relax. It certainly can be nice not to have to work for once and just enjoy life, but some Baby Boomers may start to miss the sense of accomplishment, routine, and the paycheck that comes from having a job. Many Boomers, who have worked a regular job for decades, end up feeling bored, uninspired and unfulfilled in their retirement.
Though even online jobs come with responsibilities and stress, they also offer many benefits, such as a sense of purpose and contribution to society, challenging oneself and growing as a result, and even just the fun of getting out and being with others.
However, online jobs are usually far more convenient than commuting and working in an office or a retail business, so they can be an excellent way for Boomers to find the right balance.
What a person does for a living is often a considerable part of their identity, and some Boomers report feeling their identity starts to fade away as they spend more and more time retired. You can revitalize and rediscover who you are in a new job.
If you find yourself reminiscing over the days when you worked, read on to learn more about online jobs so you can decide if you perhaps want to give some of them a go.
Earning Potential
As with all jobs, the amount a Boomer can earn from working an online job is dependent on a multitude of factors, including the number of hours you’re looking to work per week, the type of job you’re looking for, and what sort of prior experience you have.
Baby Boomers can earn anywhere from less than $100 to several thousands of dollars per month with an online job.
As with any career, everyone has to start somewhere, so if you don’t have any experience in a field you want to dabble in, don’t let it get you down or put you off. Consider each job application – successful or otherwise – as a learning experience and take it in stride.
As a senior, you have a unique set of skills, and you can be confident in what you have to offer. Remember, just because you’re at an age where retirement is the norm, doesn’t mean you can’t make your own rules.
Types of Jobs
If you think working an online job is something you’d like to try, you can now start to consider the types of jobs available and see if any interest you. You could choose something that you have experience with or go for something entirely new and throw yourself in the deep end.
Blogger or Writer
Working as a freelance blogger or writer is one of the most flexible online jobs out there. What’s great about this is you can often write about topics that are of interest to you. You can decide to remain a freelancer to maintain maximum flexibility or potentially take on a more stable part-time role down the line.
Starting out as a writer can be difficult if you don’t have the experience, but you can quickly begin to assemble a portfolio of work and start putting yourself out there.
Writing can be a great job as it gives you a platform to put your thoughts and opinions out into the world and share them with countless people. Not to mention all the transferable, useful skills one acquires and hones as a writer, such as writing itself, editing, proofreading, pitching ideas, and researching, to name a few.
Teacher at Virtual High Schools
This kind of online job would be best suited to Boomers who enjoy imparting knowledge and wisdom to the younger generations. There are vacancies for many subjects ranging from History to Art to English at many online schools.
This job would involve setting up part of the curriculum as well as delivering it to students remotely. You would assign tasks, grade them, and provide feedback to your students.
These positions often require teaching experience varying from three to five years at a minimum. It is also necessary to have a qualification in the subject you will be teaching – specifically, you will typically need a bachelor’s degree in the subject you want to teach.
However, the payoff and perks certainly make it worthwhile. The emotional fulfillment that comes with a career in teaching and the earnings potential make it a fantastic choice for Boomers.
Some posts offer a rate of $22 per hour, which can quickly add up and allow you to do more of what you love in retirement.
Insurance Agent
As an insurance agent, you would be informing potential customers about the various policies and products an insurer has on offer and selling it to them. As you would be answering calls and online inquiries, this job is done remotely and offers maximum flexibility.
There are also some medical posts advertised by insurance companies. These jobs consist of performing the intake health assessment of clients and summarizing your findings in a report. If you have a medical background, your qualifications and experience may be a good fit.
Copy Editor
A freelance copy editor is another good option for Boomers who consider themselves as wordsmiths. These roles entail proofreading copy – from news articles to detailed guides to e-books – and making any necessary changes to ensure the grammar and spelling is correct and to improve flow.
Having prior experience as a copy editor or a freelance writer will make it much easier to land an online job like this. Still, it is sometimes possible to come in without experience if you already have the relevant skillset.
Hourly rates for copy editors vary massively depending on your employer or client. But you are typically looking anywhere from around $15 to $30.
Customer Services Representative
Customer Service is perhaps one of the broadest fields a person can enter since there are so many companies and brands for which you could potentially work.
However, the essence of your job would be pretty consistent across the board. After all, virtually the same ingredients are needed to deliver high standard customer service, no matter the field or company.
You would potentially answer incoming calls from customers regarding various products and services, as well as questions concerning orders, deliveries, and company policies. You may also respond to emails or chat online with customers to help them out, either pre-sale or post-sale.
If you speak any foreign languages, that is an absolute plus and would boost your application potential for some roles. And having experience in this field is also favorable, but some posts do not mandate this.
Overall, working in customer services gives you the chance to connect with people from all walks of life while being helpful and compassionate. It can be quite a fulfilling online job despite it seeming quite dull from the outside.
Non-Profit Roles
Many Boomers highly value giving back to the community, and a great way to do this is by getting involved in charity work. Of course, some roles are entirely voluntary and not paid, but there are many jobs in charities that do offer a salary. It depends on what position you want to apply.
Browse through different charities and select a few that strike a chord with you. Check their website or call them to see if they’re hiring. If you’re very interested, you could always volunteer first and try to move up to a paid position.
What your job – paid or voluntary – will entail will depend on the charity itself. Almost all non-profits have a helpline for the public to call. You may be answering inquiries or receiving donations. You may also be replying to emails regarding the charity, its events and services, and the support it offers.
Working or even volunteering for a non-profit organization gives you the chance to make a difference in others’ lives. It can be gratifying.
How to Find the Right Job for You
While reading about the countless opportunities available to Boomers can be exciting, it can be challenging to figure out what’s best for you. Here are some important things to consider when trying to figure out what job is best for you.
Consider Your Motives
We’ve already established numerous reasons for wanting to work an online job, but which resonates most strongly with you? What will drive you to do your absolute best each day? What will keep you going?
Be entirely honest with yourself. If you want to work during retirement because you would like a bit of extra cash, that’s absolutely fine. If you’re looking to rediscover yourself or even reinvent yourself, that’s also a valid reason.
It’s crucial to establish what motivates you because this will inform you about job selection and ensure long term satisfaction.
Consider Your Goals
Your goals may be linked to your motives but may not be for some people. Think about what you wish to achieve from getting an online job. If money was your motive, is there a certain amount you want to make per month?
If your motives were more to do with identity and exploration, consider how you envision yourself after working in a job for some time. For example, do you want to work on your skillset and become more proficient in a particular area?
With anything you undertake, setting out goals is critical, as it will help you stay grounded toward what you’re working. Additionally, understanding what you want will help you filter out the jobs that will not serve you and your goals.
Consider the Available Options
Now you know what you want and what will keep you going, look at the options available to you and see if you can find a match.
There are many essential things to consider when checking out the opportunities offered.
The field and individual job descriptions are key. After all, it’s what you’ll be doing day in, day out. Consider if they align with your own personal interests and values.
Check what the commitment requirements are and how flexible your working hours would be. Work-life balance is imperative for employees of all ages, even more so Boomers, so bear that in mind as well.
Are there any specific qualifications or experience requirements? Do you meet them? If you don’t, you can inquire about any training programs on offer, or alternative pathways to gain experience and move up the ladder.
What are your potential earnings in this specific post? Is that value in harmony with what you aim to achieve? Does the job come with any perks that you would enjoy?
Shortlist and Narrow Your Choices
With all the above in mind, browse through the job postings, and look for ones that meet your criteria. Put them aside, and once you feel you’ve shortlisted a good number of options, read the job descriptions more closely.
If you’re still on board, keep it on your shortlist. But if you’re unsure about a particular job, consider getting in contact to seek clarification.
Apply
Applying for a job can be daunting, and you may feel intimidated, especially if you’ve been out of the game for long or if you’re venturing into unchartered waters. But you don’t stand to lose anything. You’ll only learn and gain with the right mindset.
Take the plunge and apply for the jobs that catch your eye. Persevere if you don’t get what you’d hoped for straight away – it often takes applying for many to get one! You’ve got this!