Age may just be a number, but it’s not an appealing one for those inching towards 60. More so for the employed, who are forced to pack their bags on retiring even though they may be flush with experience and ability. Saddled with longevity and the need for additional income, or to fill years with gainful occupation, or simply to share their experience with society, retired people start scrambling for jobs. While most struggle to latch on to a good option, a few snag one instantly.Take 84-year-old Devendra Sharma, who retired in 2000 as Assistant Works Manager in Voltas, only to be picked up by Spradecom, which contacted him a week before he retired due to his domain expertise and skills. “Your work speaks for itself and this is why I didn’t have to stay without work for more than a day after retiring,” says Mumbai-based Sharma. In 2009, when Spradecom shut down, Sharma got yet another opportunity immediately and continues to work there today.
On the other hand, Chennai-based Ramachandran RS, who retired as Chief Information Officer from a Japanese firm, found a regular job three years after retiring, even as he took up several short-term projects in the interim. “After the hectic corporate life, I wasn’t looking for a routine job, but wanted to remain occupied and socially engaged,” says the 62-year-old IT expert, who secured the role of CTO in an NGO through WisdomCircle, a job portal catering to retired people.
While online platforms like foundit, LinkedIn, Naukri and Indeed have job windows for the retired, others like WisdomCircle, Retirement Jobs and Nightingales Jobs 60+ cater exclusively to seniors. An online marketplace that aggregates employees and employers at one place may seem like an easy solution for retirees, but it’s not always the case, nor is it the only option one should consider while looking for work.
The challenges
“Job portals should be one of the channels, not the only channel, to look for jobs after retirement. Word-of-mouth referrals can be much more effective,” says Neeti Sharma, CEO, TeamLease Digital.
“If job portals are the primary channel for job search, it will be very difficult to find one because it’s the easiest option and everyone applies to these. For 100 jobs, there will be 1 lakh applicants,” says Suresh Sadagopan, Founder, Ladder7 Financial Advisories.This is one of the biggest problems: demand-supply mismatch. The number of Indians above 60 is set to rise from 14.9 crore in 2022 to 34.7 crore by 2050, as per the India Ageing Report 2023 by United Nations Population Fund, in collaboration with the International Institute for Population Sciences. According to another study by Max India’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Antara, 64% of seniors above 50 want to continue to work after retirement. Yet, the options are limited. “There are way more people wanting to work than formal opportunities that exist,” says Neeraj Sagar, Founder & CEO, WisdomCircle. The platform has 95,000 retired professionals seeking employment, while there are over 250 companies that have listed roles on the portal.Where are the openings for retired?
Here are the sectors seniors can explore, as per the foundit Insights Tracker.
Besides the age stigma, it’s difficult for retirees to find jobs because “potential employers are intimidated by their experience, seniority and pay scale”, says Sadagopan. Affirms Sagar: “The companies require a lot of convincing and nudging to leverage this talent pool. It has to be presented to them as a business case, not an inclusion and diversity case.”
How to find a job
While there is no universal strategy to find jobs after superannuation, you can use a multi-pronged approach for best results. “The key to a successful post-retirement job search lies in leveraging existing networks, highlighting transferable skills, and staying open to flexible work formats, such as consulting, teaching, gig roles, or remote projects,” says V. Suresh, CEO, foundit.
Spread the word while employed: “Figure out what you want and start talking about it early while in a job,” advises Sharma. This could mean talking to vendors or getting in touch with people in roles aligned with your needs. “Networking remains a strong channel— leveraging professional circles, alumni associations, and former workplaces often leads to more tailored opportunities,” says Suresh. The objective is to let people know you are open to work after retirement, and if you are good at your job, you will be snapped.
Online job boards, direct approach, & local areas: Use multiple channels and knock at all doors. Update your resumes on job portals, but also contact companies directly, especially the ones with geographical proximity to your residence. “Tapping the local companies can be effective because employers prefer workers who stay close by,” says Devashish Chakravarty, Founder, SalaryNext.com and author.
Gig roles: Many companies are willing to take on retirees for temporary, shortterm projects ranging from a few months to a year. “While everybody wants a formal job, it’s best to get into a gig role first and then convert it into a formal one,” says Chakravarty. If you keep looking for a regular job, the gap will become bigger and it will become more difficult to get a job. “Online platforms have made it easier to search for flexible opportunities such as part-time roles, consulting gigs, remote assignments, or project-based work that suit the lifestyle of retirees,” says Suresh. Freelance and part-time engagements have seen a 20% rise in registrations by professionals aged 50 and above over the past year, he adds. “By design, many retired people prefer more flexible job options due to age and lifestyle, and it’s easier to come across consulting and mentoring jobs for shorter durations,” says Dinesh Rohira, Founder and CEO, 5nance.com.
Domain expertise: Niche, specialised skills as well as experience in a particular field will get you a job much faster than generic ones. So, it’s best to advertise and highlight your skills on job portals, where you are more likely to be picked up.
Be flexible: Depending on the role and experience, your remuneration could be the same or even higher than your previous job, but be prepared for a cut. “Getting stuck on a particular compensation or privileges, or taking it as an affront, will make it difficult to secure a job,” says Sadagopan. “Compensation may not always match previous levels, especially when transitioning to part-time, freelance, or advisory roles. However, this is often balanced by increased flexibility, reduced work hours, or roles that align better with personal interests,” says Suresh.
Consider preferred roles: “The sectors that offer short-term projects or small and medium industries that require mentoring and training for youngsters to increase retention will offer short-term consulting and mentoring jobs for the retired,” says Sagar. Global MNCs and startups are also open to taking in retired people for fulltime jobs for their experience and skills,says Rohira.
“According to industry reports, nearly 35% of working retirees in India are engaged in consulting or gig roles, particularly in areas like education, IT, finance, and healthcare. One of the most dynamic spaces for post-retirement careers is aviation where retired defence personnel are ideal candidates for roles in ground operations, logistics, training, and security,” says Suresh.
Tips to find jobs after retiring
Being flexible and knowing how to look for opportunities will simplify the process.
1.Don’t wait to retire
Start the process while you are still employed. Get clarity on what you want, and which contacts or channels to tap. Giving a gap after retiring to look for work may make it very difficult.
2.Tap all avenues
Don’t apply only on job portals, or just spread the word in your network, or expand your contacts; use all channels simultaneously. Reach out as expansively as you can; something will click.
3.Start with short stints
Companies are much more open to offering short-term projects or gig roles, instead of full-time employment, to retired people. Grab these as it will not only boost your resume, but also keep you in touch with your skills.
4.Be ready for less
Accept that you may not get the same compensation, perks or privileges that you had as a regular employee. If you’re stuck on these, jobs will be harder to come by.
5.Be open to new fields
Be ready to make a pivot and shift roles or fields if such opportunities come by. Upskill yourself through courses and workshops and learn as you go.
