Episode 4 Blog: Empowering Boomers to Find New Career Opportunities
Written By Lyn Nikoloff, Don’t Retire, Reinspire

Let me ask you this …. How many jobs have you had during your working life? How many different workplaces and sectors have you worked in? Yep, you are just like me there’s been plenty. From picking blackcurrants and cleaning offices to teaching and publishing and everything in between. I have worked in jobs that do not exist today, like telephone exchanges and photo processing labs. So what does all this mean? This ….baby boomers are an adaptable and resilient generation who’ve got soft skills by the bucket loads and it is these skills that are very marketable and can be used to open doors on a reinspired life.

I am all too aware that hard skills have declined in importance throughout my working life. Take postal workers as a prime example– who today sends letters? And what has happened to all those trained workers who were collecting, sorting and delivering the mail. Yes there was a time when the red post boxes were emptied daily, the mail transported in large grey canvas sacks to the sorting area of the main post office, letters date stamped, sorted and then transported to various parts of the country. Back in the day, our local postie would deliver the mail everyday, blowing his whistle to let you know there was mail in the letter box. And even the colour of the envelope would forewarn you of its contents – the brown envelopes were bills and the white ones correspondence from family and friends. Like Aunt Cynthia and the couzies threatening a summer visit. My mum kept a stack of unopened brown envelopes in the everything drawer, she waited for the collector to call before addressing the payment – yep times were tough but she did open the white envelopes. Any hoo…. All those postal workers hard skills are now confined to the dustbins of progress.

Or how about the telegraph workers: back in the day telephonists were employed to operate the local telephone exchanges.

Do you remember when you had to book an international toll call? The operator would call you back at the allotted time and then you would wait while they connected to international telephone exchanges across the world saying: New Zealand calling London 023456. The operator in the UK would then connect the NZ operator to the relevant local telephone exchange – who would then dial the number. Once the call was answered the operator would say New Zealand calling and connect the caller through. That’s how we all spoke to overseas family back in the 1960s and 70s. And all that equipment was maintained by P&T workers whose hard skills are no longer useful.

As an aside there is a local heritage park here in Christchurch and the P&T society has an amazing display of phones through the ages – worryingly I have used most of them – from the black corded Bakelite cradle one my grandmother had to the rechargeable handset. In the next twelve months the old copper network is being turned off with only wifi communication available. Who ever thought it? I certainly never imagined that I would use a phone like Get Smart’s shoe phone. But I do!
And I know that my hard skills will have little currency unless I keep relevant like learning to use new technology such as teams and chat gpt. However, I do have transferrable soft skills that I have honed throughout my working life. They are abilities and qualities that are not tied to a specific job or industry but can be applied across various roles, professions, and situations.

These skills are often developed through experiences in education, work, volunteering, hobbies, and everyday life. They are highly valuable because they enable individuals to adapt to new environments, learn quickly, and succeed in diverse settings. They include communication, leadership, problem solving, time management, teamwork and networking.

So I decided to chat to someone who works in recruitment to share with us their perspective on getting a boomer boost in today’s marketplace - the opportunities and challenges. And while I need to accept that there is ageism out there, its time to breakdown the retiree stereotype and live a reinspired life. (Refer to the podcast)

Transferable skills

If like me, you are still unsure what transferable skills you have then I have put together a list of ideas to help get you started:
1. Communication: Do you have the ability to effectively convey ideas, information, and feedback verbally, in writing, and through non-verbal cues. Examples include active listening, public speaking, writing, and interpersonal communication. In this area you can highlight soft skills such as adaptability, creativity, technical proficiency, customer service and networking.
2. Leadership: Are you able to inspire, motivate, and guide others towards achieving common goals. Examples include delegation, decision-making, conflict resolution, and team building.
3. Problem-solving: Do you have the skills of identifying challenges, analyzing situations, and developing creative solutions. Examples include critical thinking, decision-making, adaptability, and resourcefulness.
4. Time management: How is your time management? Can you prioritize tasks, manage deadlines, and allocate resources efficiently. Examples include organization, planning, multitasking, and goal-setting.
5. Teamwork: Are you a team player and have the capacity to collaborate effectively with others towards a shared objective. Examples include cooperation, collaboration, empathy, and conflict resolution.
6. Adaptability: Do you have the capability to adjust to new situations, environments, and challenges with resilience and flexibility? Examples include openness to change, stress management, and learning agility.
7. Creativity: Are you able to generate innovative ideas, solutions, and approaches to problems. Examples include brainstorming, lateral thinking, and artistic expression.
8. Technical proficiency: Do you have the knowledge and expertise in using specific tools, software, or equipment relevant to a particular field or industry. Examples include computer skills, programming languages, and proficiency in software applications.
9. Customer service: Are you able to understand and meet the needs of customers or clients effectively. Examples include empathy, patience, active listening, and problem-solving.
10. Networking: Can you build and maintain professional relationships for mutual benefit. Examples include relationship-building, communication, and maintaining professional etiquette.

These examples of soft skills demonstrate how they can be applied across various contexts, making you more versatile and adaptable when it comes to pursuing new enterprises or opportunities.

So where can I use my soft skills … I am giving one or two of the following a try, so why not join me:

1. Consulting: Offer your expertise on a freelance basis. Many companies, especially smaller ones, may benefit from your experience without needing a full-time commitment. A great way to build up networks is by attending local business group forums. Don’t forget to take your business cards with you! Don’t have business cards – get some made.
2. Teaching or Mentoring: Share your knowledge by becoming a mentor or instructor. This could be through formal teaching, or informally mentoring individuals in your industry or community. Try offering a class in your local area such as dancing, crafting, pottery or photography.
3. Volunteering: Many nonprofits and community organizations can benefit from your skills. Whether it's using your business acumen to help with strategic planning or your hands-on skills to assist with projects, there are numerous ways to give back. Check out the volunteer websites in your area or chat with Citizens Advice. Or just contact an organisation that aligns with your values and purpose.
4. Writing or Blogging: Start a blog or contribute articles to publications in your field. Your years of experience can provide valuable insights and advice to others in your industry. I have an eighty-year-old friend who writes for the local car club newsletter, usually stories with a bit of local history thrown in.
5. Starting a Small Business: If you have a passion project or a business idea you've always wanted to pursue, retirement could be the perfect time to give it a shot. Your experience and skills can give you a leg up in starting and running a successful venture. In previous episodes I have shared with you how friends are doing just this – selling their crafts at local markets. I am working on a venture using my developing podcasting skills.
6. Continued Learning: Keep your skills sharp and stay up-to-date with industry trends by taking courses or attending workshops. Lifelong learning not only keeps your mind engaged but also opens new opportunities for applying your expertise. Recently I completed some unit standards in internal moderation – as I move from the training room I can continue to apply my expertise by moderating assessment material. If your former sector has conferences keep attending them – stay up to date with trends.
7. Networking: Stay connected with colleagues and professionals in your field. Networking can lead to new opportunities, collaborations, and friendships in retirement. Even if you have left the formal workplace this doesn’t mean you have to leave your business networking meetings behind and who knows what opportunities will open over a cup of coffee. Or join your local Probus and get connecting.
8. Personal Projects: Use your newfound free time to explore hobbies or projects that you've always been interested in but never had time for. Your skills and creativity can be applied to a wide range of personal endeavours. This might include genealogy, family history or writing your story. I have two personal projects on the go – I am writing a book about my mother, and I have started this podcast project. Both keep me busy.

Well, I don’t know about you but I feel ready to embrace new endeavours and to do this I am going to take on board everything our guest speaker, Stephanie shared with us. And when I am ready to pitch myself or my ideas I will ensure that I am selling the value of my soft skills to the group or organisation. Go on …. It’s time to get out there because your skills are needed and you are still relevant.
Here’s todays take away: Living a reinspired life includes seeking new opportunities and enterprises, by leveraging our soft skills. This involves identifying transferrable skills and pitching yourself to the group or organisation that aligns with your passion or purpose. Keep networking, even after leaving the formal workplace.
Please share with us your experiences of leveraging your soft skills in retirement to create opportunity and seek new enterprises.

Email: dontretirereinspire@gmail.com
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