Transitioning to freelancing - Hustler Daily Thumbs Up - September 15

Hello fellow Encore Hustlers

There is a certain allure associated with the word freelance.  It has roots with the medieval term for a knight for hire.  Now it brings to mind mind thoughts of being independence and working for the highest bidder.

For those of us who are approaching, or are in retirement, the reality is much more mundane, according to this article from the New York Times.  The article cites statistics sourced from the Freelancers Union indicating 30 percent of Americans over the age of 55 performed some sort of freelance work in 2018, with freelancing being defined as any sort of independently contracted work, running the gamut from driving for Uber to being a consultant.

For many of that cohort of senior freelancers the extra money covers daily expenses or bolsters retirement saving.  However, for some, the decision to freelance is forced upon them by late career layoffs and the inability to find full time employment of equal pay and caliber.

If you fall into that category, or have already retired and are planning to return to work, via the freelance route, then the best course would be to put serious planning before you launch the website or print the business cards.

As a good start, Mr. EH recommends heading over to AARP's Work for Yourself at 55+ and download their toolkit with plenty of information on how to brainstorm, build a business plan, avoid common mistakes, plan for taxes and reach out for support and mentorship.

After all, freelance medieval knights didn't rush into battle without a strategy and a sharp sword.  It's better to be Ivanhoe than Don Quixote.

Cheers,
Mr. EH

Seattle Seahawks Encore Hustle - Hustler Daily Thumbs Up - September 13

Hello fellow Encore Hustlers

Supporting the Seattle Seahawks is a bit of religion in the state of Washington.  And I am not joking since I have a seen a Catholic priest wearing the trademark blue and green under his vestments during Mass on game day Sunday.

If you are fan of the S'Hawks then why not check out this story about the partnering of CenturyLink Field (home of the Seahawks) and AARP to hire seniors to work part-time (30 hours a month max) at the stadium on game days.  There are hundreds of positions available, including ushers, security, catering servers, concession cashiers, cooks and suite managers.  CenturyLink is focusing on hiring older workers because of their experience, dedication and passion they bring to the job.

And if being a Seahawk fan if not your cup of tea then how about working at a FC Sounders game, who also play at CenturyLink,  or at a Morrissey concert at the adjacent WAMU Theatre.  They all need event workers.

Go to this link for the upcoming September 25th job fair at CenturyLink.

Go S'Hawks!!

Mr. EH

A stand up encore hustle - Hustler Daily Thumbs Up - September 11

Hello fellow Encore Hustlers

Most of us think we can tell a joke and are just naturally funny.  Well its one thing to get a laugh out of friends and coworkers but its another to stand up in front of a crowd of strangers and try out your material.  Especially when speaking in speaking in public is identified as one our greatest fears.

So imagine what it must be like to decide to take up standup comedy at age 65.  Read this story about Marty Ross, who did that after working 47 years in Manhattan's clothing industry, and has been making making a name for himself as the Wrinkled Rebel on the comedy club circuit.  Also check out his AARP produced video on YouTube Date My Grandpa.

Cheers,
Mr EH

Are you ready for a McJob? - Hustler Daily Thumbs Up - May 30

Hello fellow Encore Hustlers

While it can be the dream of many of us to use an encore career to follow a passion, for many others it is simply a means to earn badly needed money and hopefully provide some benefits like healthcare.

When the Social Security check doesn't extend to the end of the month, then any work, even in the  fast food industry, a McJob, as we used say, is good option.

Well, according to this article in NextAvenue, it turns out the McDonald's is partnering with AARP to target the 50 and older workforce to help fill McD's quarters of a million job openings this summer. The program is especially aimed to help the millions of older workers who unemployed or underemployed.

While for millions of us can remember working at McDonald's as being our first job as a teenager, it turns out that this is no longer true for today's generation. Currently McDonald's has 58,000 job openings and senior workers are a hot commodity. They are sought after for their work ethic and soft skills that include problem solving and ability to communicate beyond texting and SnapChat.

Ironically, Mr EH was recently a passenger on a regional flight and the flight attendant was aged 65+. It turned out the attendant  had been recently recruited by airline HR because of his people skills which he displayed while serving them at a fast food establishment. So, like many others before him, he found that working a McJob became a stepping stone to better things.

Cheers,
Mr. EH

The Hustler High Five - Hustler News of the Week - January 18

Hello fellow EncoreHustlers.

I rounded up some great stories this week and I hope you enjoy reading them and find them useful and inspiring.

1)  Age discrimination in the workplace is real and your resume should always be evergreen.  Here is some good career advice in this Forbes article Baby Boomers: Get Ready to Job Hunt in 2019.

2)  It is never too late to start a business to pursue your passion.  Check out this story about Lynn Bright, from West Virginia, who opened the Old Mill Bakery after nearly 50 years in positions as varied as being a youth director for the Army, a recreation director for the Federal Bureau of Prisons and an English teacher in China. Once you finish reading Bright's story click to Time to 2: 5 Steps to Find Your Ideal Encore Career.

3)  After years of working the 9 to 5, with long commutes and office politics why not trade it in for working from home.  AARP profiles five people who have made telecommuting work for them in You Can Earn a Living While Working From Home.

4)  Working past the traditional retirement age is a global phenomenon.  In Singapore, for example, 27 percent of the population past age 65 continue to work.  Yes, it is true that many seniors work for strictly financial reasons, but a significant number work because they enjoy the challenge and their skills are in demand.  Read Aging Singapore: City-state helps firms retain workers past retirement age to see how the government provides grants to employers to help make the workplace older worker friendly.

5)  It is not uncommon for people to "fail at retirement", when they decide to return to working after a short period of retirement.  Read The Age of Unretirement for advice on returning to the workforce.

Start the New Year Running - Register for the AARP Online Career Network Expo

2018 is over and done.  If you, like me, spent December watching their 401k and IRA accounts veer south, then 2019 may be the year to consider pursuing a side hustle to put some extra money aside.

In a way it is comforting to know that the stock market is not the economy.  Employment rates are still at historic lows and companies are actively looking to hire dependable peoples willing to work flexible schedules.

To kickstart your job search I would highly recommend checking out the AARP website and registering for their Online Career Networking Expo.

The event is free and is scheduled for Thursday, January 24th, 1-4 PM Eastern Time.

The EXPO will focus on part-time work and will allow you to network with participating companies.

In addition topics will include resume preparation and how part-time employment effects social security retirement benefits.

Amongst the resources provided will be:

• The Theater presenting live webinars and podcasts
• The Exhibit Hall to meet with companies offering part-time and work-from-home opportunities
• The Lounge to connect with other job seekers, career couches and AARP experts
• The Resource Library giving you access interactive tools and videos to help you write a resume, improve your interview and networking skills, and help you find a job online

Sign up today and I hope to see you there.  Maybe we can a chat over a virtual coffee at the virtual food court!

Happy hunting.

Mr. EH