Jobs for older people

Jobs for older people by Amber Rolfe Think your age could be holding you back? We’ve got you covered…  Whether you’re not quite ready to retire, you want something more flexible, or you’re just looking for a way to put your experience to good use â€" finding your perfect position can be tough, no matter what age you are. But although no opportunity is out of your reach as an older worker, some jobs might fit your situation better than others.To help you find the role that’s right for you, here are five of the best jobs for older people:Consultant What they do: Use their expertise to provide advice and guidance to a wide range of organisations and individuals. This could be helping them to manage change and solve problems, or anything else that will improve the efficiency of their business. Consultants are found in a variety of fields, from business to media â€" meaning that no matter where your strengths lie, consultancy is a great way to help people learn from your experiences.What you need: A high level of knowledge and experience of a particular industry, along with an ability to communicate well with others. You may also need a degree in your chosen field, but those with several years’ experience will always be considered â€" even without relevant qualifications.What you can earn: Salaries will vary depending on location and type of consultancy, with larger firms offering around £25,000 at entry-level. This will rise greatly with experience, with Management Consultants able to earn up to £125,000.Perfect for: People who want to share their wisdom.Our advice: If you’re struggling to break into consultancy, consider taking a course to expand on your business skills. Studying accountancy, management, business, or marketing (or a subject relevant to your field) is a great way to demonstrate your abilities to potential clients.  View all Consultant jobsManager What they do: Manage and oversee the day-to-day operations of a department or workplace â€" whether office or retail based. General duties could include leading and motivating a team of staff, enforcing policies and procedures, and supporting the overall goals and aims of the business. Project management roles also provide great opportunities for older workers.What you need: Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and motivational skills â€" combined with a solid knowledge of your chosen business and its products/services. Retail Managers in particular may require previous experience in lower level roles, but often the position is more about mindset â€" and a proven track record of heading up teams.What you can earn: Earning potential is dependent on the type of management you work in. Generally, Managers could earn anything from £20,000 to £60,000 (depending on the industry, location, and size of business/department).  Perfect for: People who like to lead by example.Our advice: Make the most of any previous management positions, and put extra effort in to learn about their produ cts and services. Not only will it prove that you really want the job, it’ll also show that you actually understand their organisation â€" and have insights that could help add value to the business.Manager interview questions and answersView all Manager jobs  Freelancer What they do: Offer professional services to businesses and individuals, on a flexible basis whether it’s a one-off piece of work, or something that’s delivered consistently over a longer period of time (e.g. a weekly blog post). As they’re self-employed, they have the freedom to choose their hours, pay rate, and projects, making it perfect for those who no longer want to work full-time. Freelance work is also available in almost every industry, with common fields including copywriting, PR, programming, bookkeeping, and design.What you need: A high level of self-motivation, alongside excellent communication skills. You’ll also need to be able to demonstrate your experience and abilities through examples o f your work (e.g. a website or portfolio).What you can earn: The average salary for a Freelancer will vary greatly depending on their field of work, experience level, and the type/size of project they’re asked to deliver. They’re usually paid hourly, or at a fixed day rate.Perfect for: People who want to work on their own terms.Our advice: Take some time to build your portfolio, work on your CV, and do everything you can to demonstrate your capabilities â€" then join a dedicated site, like Upwork or PeoplePerHour to start getting your name out there. It’s also a good idea to ask those who have worked with you to review your services, to help make your skills known to future clients.View all Freelancer jobs  Driving Instructor What they do: Teach people the knowledge and practical skills needed to get a driving license. Whether they’re advising on road safety, basic traffic courtesy, or the overall handling of a vehicle â€" it’s a Driving Instructor’s responsibility to en sure their student knows everything they need to become a good driver.What you need: Aside from being an excellent driver, you’ll also need to be patient, with an ability to give clear instructions in a polite and friendly manner. Although you won’t need any specific academic qualifications, you will need to pass a standards check.What you can earn: Salaries start at around £18,000, rising up to £30,000 with experience.Perfect for: People who never get road rage.Our advice: Aside from demonstrating your knowledge and experience in driving, think about how you can demonstrate your people skills â€" especially if you’ve done any training or teaching in the past. That way, you’ll prove that you not only have the skills needed to be a good driver, you also know how to teach others effectively.How to become a Driving InstructorView all Driving Instructor jobs  Care WorkerWhat they do: Offer help and assistance to vulnerable people, who may struggle with illnesses or disabilitie s. They could work with people of all ages, assisting with day-to-day tasks such as cleaning, washing, cooking, and shopping. Care Workers may also be responsible for giving medication, and providing emotional support for those who need it.What you need: An empathetic attitude, with an ability to relate to people of all ages and backgrounds.You’ll also need to be able to deal with difficult situations in a sensitive and understanding manner.What you can earn: Entry-level Care Workers usually earn around £16,000, whilst those with more experience could earn up to £24,000.Perfect for: People who like looking after people.Our advice: When it comes to finding a job in care, you might be surprised at how much your indirect experience counts. Whether it’s by caring for a family member or looking after your children or grandchildren â€" you’ll have gained the key skills needed to thrive as a Care Worker. So make these known in your application, and you’ll make yourself far more a ttractive to employers.How to become a Care WorkerView all Care Worker jobsTop tips Here are some of our top tips to help you break into your ideal career:If you haven’t searched for jobs in a while, always take time to update your CV. And it isn’t just about adding your most recent/relevant experience â€" strip out any non-essential positions, update the formatting and tailor it to make your suitability clearer to employers.Join a specialist recruitment agency to get help and guidance in a particular field.If you’re looking to freelance, build a portfolio to demonstrate your skills and experience.Take a course to gain and develop skills in your chosen industry â€" especially if you’re looking for a career change.Above all else, don’t think you’re limited to any particular role. If you’re passionate about a career, there’s no reason age should stand in the way.Still searching for your perfect position? 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