Finding a Job After Being Retired

[Midpack]

Heresy I know, but...

And I am afraid whatever answers I will get will be riddled with 'it depends.'

I am leaning toward retiring, but I'd view it more as a long sabbatical before going back to work. If I was going to go back to work at a similar position in the same industry, I know I'd be better off finding the new job before I leave the first (and forget the sabbatical). But my goal is to start an entirely new career in a completely different field. So I am hoping that being retired/unemployed when I start the search won't make much difference. Thought I'd see if others had the first career, sabbatical, second career experience and how did it go?

Taking sabbatical from present job and returning is not an option, and I don't think I'd want to come back anyway. I am ready for something new.

On paper we can afford to never work again, so I would not find myself in a position that it became urgent to find that second job. I could wait almost indefinitely.

 

[W2R]

You know what they say - - it's always easier to arrange a job while you are still working at the previous job. So, in this job market it might be pretty hard to get another job.

But since you don't really need the money, you could volunteer at doing whatever-it-is, or settle for a low salary if need be.

I haven't done what you are contemplating, but IMO you should go ahead with your sabbatical and job-hunting intentions. We only have a limited number of days on this earth, so why put off chasing your dreams? (Especially since you are already FI).

 

[73ss454]

I don't understand the working concept after retirement. I retired in Dec of 06 and when the market crashed I took a job PT and worked for 1 1/2 years. I'm now back to doing nothing. Working is something you do to get enough money so you don't have to.

But if you like work, go to it.

 

[Moemg]

Do you want a job or a new passion because they are very different things ? I see lots of older people in Florida working at jobs but when I saw Targa Dave's video it was clear that he had found his passion . Same with the cheapskate writer and ESR Bob , Jacob Fisker and many more . So you probably need some time off to search inside you to find yours .

 

[Purron]

What kind of work are you interested in? Have you considered starting your own business?

 

[Nords]

But my goal is to start an entirely new career in a completely different field. So I am hoping that being retired/unemployed when I start the search won't make much difference. Thought I'd see if others had the first career, sabbatical, second career experience and how did it go?
On paper we can afford to never work again, so I would not find myself in a position that it became urgent to find that second job. I could wait almost indefinitely.

When I was working I'd totally bought into that "You can't get a job after you leave your job!!" myth. My retirement experience has been that there are more job offers waiting for you than you really care to tackle.

Since you're not lacking for money or for time, you may be able to find a volunteer position in your chosen field that could eventually lead to a paying job.

It happened all the time when spouse was in the Reserves. She'd do her drill with a department, or go on a couple weeks of active duty, or work a project with another organization. They'd get to know her and within days they'd start discussing her "transition" to contractor or civil servant.

Then she started volunteering with a non-profit and it happened all over again:
http://www.early-retirement.org/for...t-looking-for-a-job-but-51426.html#post963460

A couple months ago she started an initiative on Oahu that was well received by the customer/beneficiary. She told the boss it was going well. The beneficiary told all their fellow beneficiaries across the nation and now there's going to be a minor tsunami of new demand for the non-profit's services. The problem is that the non-profit didn't see this coming and may actually have to hire extra staff to deal with the new demand. Spouse has things covered here on Oahu but there's some half-hearted finger-pointing at how much she's raised everyone else's workload and caused this scramble. But they'll get it sorted out in another month or two.

We still have conversations that regularly end with "Whaddya gonna do, [-]send me to sea duty[/-] fire me?" The irony is that they're pestering her to ramp up her hours.

Just be aware that by the time you find your "dream job", you may no longer have the interest, let alone the commitment, to keep showing up for work... especially when the surf is up.

 

[walkinwood]

But my goal is to start an entirely new career in a completely different field.

I guess it will depend on how much of your skills are transferable, getting qualifications (certifications etc), creating a network of contacts in the new field & availability of jobs.

I went back to work earlier this year in a related field and I was able to use my network of contacts from my work life to get work. I have seen older people get positions even after a few years out of the work arena. It all - as you said - depends! I think it helps if you're energetic, obviously in good health and enthusiastic about the field of work.

 

[RonBoyd]

But my goal is to start an entirely new career in a completely different field.

Do you have a specific Career in mind? Or would you just be throwing Darts until you hit something?

 

[haha]

OP, I don't know how old you are, but in general this type thing does not work well. If it would be easy to continue your present career on a p.t. basis, no problem. Anything else is not very realistic, though certainly nothing is impossible.

Ha

 

[dex]

At some point I might want to get a part time job - REI? - for the months I find myself at home. I don't want something with responsibility; just something to kill a few hours.

 

[cardude]

I had a buddy who owns a painting business (along with his rental property business) come over to play poker the other night, and he commented on my newly epoxied garage floor. He said he had a realtor-lady friend who has some clients who need that done, but nobody in my town seems to do it, so he wondered if I would be interested in talking to her.

Long story short, I went over to this big house with a huge 3 car garage and gave the realtor what I thougt was a big price to paint the floor. They took my offer, and now I've got to paint the damn thing. It works out to over $100 per labor hour for me, and I'm going to have fund spending it on my upcoming surf trip, but I'm not really thrilled with what I've gotten myself into.

As Nords said, there are tons of jobs out there, especially when you're not really looking for one!

 

[headingout]

Related thread:

Did You Find the Part-Time Work You Wanted after FIRE

 

[flyfishnevada]

I am looking for work. Don't know what. I might start a business of some sort, nothing too big, just me doing something, no employees, no store front. Might work at a book store or something like that. Something that interests me. Might work in my old field, but times are kind of tough. Might never work again and just make due with what I got. Make my job figuring out how to not take a part-time job.

I suppose the the reason is key. I am doing it for some extra hobby/travel money. We can pay the bills and have some left over, but the kids cost a fortune. If its not not new cleats for football, its yearbooks. If its not yearbooks, its pictures. If not pictures, its something else. Plus we have this big home and the big payment and will continue to "need" that until they move out. I have also found that without the ability to really do what we want to do (RVing, travel, etc.) I might as well make a few bucks instead of aimlessly puttering around the house, not that I don't enjoy aimlessly puttering around the house. Honestly, this "Eh, whatever", attitude is growing on me.

If you're doing it for yourself, then go for it. If you don't need the money, then its more like a hobby, isn't it? Some people like work, even need work, to keep busy and feel needed. If that's you, do it. Do what makes you happy. Since you are FI, take that sabbatical. Sounds like you can afford to maybe not find a new job right away, or ever. If you have to do it for less than premium wages, so what?

Life is short and if you are FI or can be FI with a little lifestyle management, I say take the plunge and follow your dreams.

 

[REWahoo]

I consider it in poor taste for a FIRE-qualified individual to retire and look for a job. Why take a job away from one of the almost 15 million folks in the US who are unemployed - and really need to work? If your FI status is questionable then I understand working, but if not...

But then, maybe that's just me.

 

[grasshopper]

I give thanks and gratitude every day, that I have extracted myself from the job pool.

 

[Midpack]

REW, you're something else...

 

[Khan]

I consider it in poor taste for a FIRE-qualified individual to retire and look for a job. Why take a job away from one of the almost 15 million folks in the US who are unemployed - and really need to work? If your FI status is questionable then I understand working, but if not...

But then, maybe that's just me.

I took an early retirement that saved someone's job.

 

[harley]

I had a buddy who owns a painting business (along with his rental property business) come over to play poker the other night, and he commented on my newly epoxied garage floor. He said he had a realtor-lady friend who has some clients who need that done, but nobody in my town seems to do it, so he wondered if I would be interested in talking to her.

Long story short, I went over to this big house with a huge 3 car garage and gave the realtor what I thougt was a big price to paint the floor. They took my offer, and now I've got to paint the damn thing. It works out to over $100 per labor hour for me, and I'm going to have fund spending it on my upcoming surf trip, but I'm not really thrilled with what I've gotten myself into.

As Nords said, there are tons of jobs out there, especially when you're not really looking for one!

I agree with this and Nords comments. I retired, and never intended to work again. But I ended up doing a little purchasing for an old boss as a favor. I didn't expect or even want anything to come of it, but it's turning into a fairly lucrative extremely part time business. I don't really consider it work, more an annoyance that shows a profit. I don't know how long it will last, but if it dies off, no problem.

My point is, opportunities come along if you are interested. If you are looking for a significant income type job, I'd try to set something up while I was still employed. But if you are just looking for something to do, relax and let it come to you.

 

[NW-Bound]

I had a buddy who owns a painting business (along with his rental property business) come over to play poker the other night, and he commented on my newly epoxied garage floor. He said he had a realtor-lady friend who has some clients who need that done, but nobody in my town seems to do it, so he wondered if I would be interested in talking to her.

Long story short, I went over to this big house with a huge 3 car garage and gave the realtor what I thougt was a big price to paint the floor. They took my offer, and now I've got to paint the damn thing. It works out to over $100 per labor hour for me, and I'm going to have fund spending it on my upcoming surf trip, but I'm not really thrilled with what I've gotten myself into.

I find it amazing that there is nobody else taking that $100/hr job despite the 10% unemployment rate that they talk about.

Could it be because you work so fast compared to other people? Or could it be that you underestimate the time to do it? I notice that your buddy who is in the painting business did not want to do it either. I have seen epoxied floors, but do not know if it requires special tools or skill.

 

[NW-Bound]

Hey, I am working part-time but not taking anyone's job. They can't seem to be able to find [-]old farts[/-] experienced people to do what I do. Of course, I can't tell you the details. Trade secrets, proprietary data and all that stuff, you know? And I don't want any competition either.

 

[travelover]

I took an early retirement that saved someone's job.

I took an early retirement that saved someone's life....MINE!

 

[Nords]

I consider it in poor taste for a FIRE-qualified individual to retire and look for a job.
But then, maybe that's just me.

REW, you're something else...

Hey, at least Midpack had the courtesy to [-]warn[/-] consult with us before he hit the streets. Although come to think of it, this is probably the last place anyone would consider worth the effort of networking a career change, let alone productive results...

I agree with this and Nords comments. I retired, and never intended to work again. But I ended up doing a little purchasing for an old boss as a favor. I didn't expect or even want anything to come of it, but it's turning into a fairly lucrative extremely part time business. I don't really consider it work, more an annoyance that shows a profit. I don't know how long it will last, but if it dies off, no problem.
My point is, opportunities come along if you are interested. If you are looking for a significant income type job, I'd try to set something up while I was still employed. But if you are just looking for something to do, relax and let it come to you.

I should clarify that spouse enjoys helping the beneficiaries far more than she cares to continually recalibrate the HQ REMFs and other administrative weenies. I'm not sure if this balance can be maintained. The "problem" is that if she continued to volunteer for free then several other paid employees would probably lose their jobs too, and she doesn't enjoy that sort of pressure either.

She got sucked into this whole gig nearly three years ago as a favor to a shipmate. At some point one should be able to consider a favor repaid and get back to one's own time-spending preferences.

Speaking from nearly 2.5 decades of marriage experience, I predict another year of drama & angst followed by an explosion and a self-imposed "firing". A happier (but less likely) alternative is that technology will leapfrog the need for this service and the non-profit will just shut down. Choose your dates and place your bets...

 

[NW-Bound]

I just reread this.

... my goal is to start an entirely new career in a completely different field...

A new career! Did you misspeak? Are you serious?

I don't know if I have posted this story here before, but my sister-in-law had a dentist who made a similar drastic change. He sent letters to all his patients, telling them that he no longer wished to practice dentistry, and wanted to become a ...

... carpenter!

This was some years ago, and I thought he was in his 40s then. I have been curious to learn if he found happiness in his new line of work.

 

[Khan]

I took an early retirement that saved someone's life....MINE!

That too.

 

[Pasha]

I don't know if I have posted this story here before, but my sister-in-law had a dentist who made a similar drastic change. He sent letters to all his patients, telling them that he no longer wished to practice dentistry, and wanted to become a ...
... carpenter!

It's unusual.
Our dentist sold his successful business with all clients to a dental school graduate, moved to his hometown and ERed when he was in mid-40's.