We’ve been talking a lot recently about jobs for college graduates and for those who can’t find a job. But there’s another group of people who are hurting these days: retired people. When the economy went south, many people who were retired or soon to be retired lost a lot of money in their retirement accounts. Because of this, retired people are looking to supplement their incomes a little bit. But in an economy where job applicants outnumber jobs by a large margin, how is someone who is a little older supposed to compete?

The answer is to apply for jobs that younger people can’t easily do, because of their schedules and their commitment to their families. There are quite a few options out there.

Campground Host

Every summer I go camping with my family, and every summer I think it would be cool to get a job as a campground host. The job doesn’t pay much, if anything, but if you love to travel, it’s a great deal.

A campground host greets campers, answers questions, keeps the grounds clean, and makes sure campground rules are followed. In return, the camp host gets a free space to park his RV. You can be a camp host for part of a season or the whole season, and if you live in a warm weather climate, you might be able to host all year, meaning paying rent or mortgage on an actual home is unnecessary. If you’re the adventurous type, this might be the job for you!

Teacher/Tutor

Substitute teaching is a great way to earn some money while keeping a flexible schedule. No teaching license? Classified employees (aka teaching assistants) need substitutes, too. What’s great about subbing is that you can choose when to say yes or no to an assignment.

If you prefer to have a steady stream of work, consider tutoring in a subject you know well. High school students are always in need of good math, science, and foreign language tutors. And if you don’t know anyone locally who needs a tutor, you can can always look for virtual tutoring jobs. Requirements vary with the company.

Consultant

The word consultant is being thrown around a lot lately, and for good reason. Companies are cutting financial corners where they can, so many times they prefer to consult with an expert rather than hire a full time employee.

If your career was in a field that lends itself to consulting, start spreading the word that you are available.. You never know what may happen!

Retail

The obvious job for retirees is a retail job. Retail establishments hire extra seasonal workers around the holidays, and retirees are a good choice for those jobs, because they are more flexible in scheduling than parents or students.

Though the work can be monotonous, retail is steady employment. If you need a steady paycheck, retail is a good choice of job.

House/Pet Sitting

Good house and pet sitters can be hard to find. When a family leaves on vacation, they want to know their home and pets are safe and well cared for. Retirees are perfect house and pet sitters, as they are available to spend lots of time with the pets and have lots of experience with typical home troubles.

If you love pets and don’t mind living in another person’s house, this may be the job for you!

If you’re a retiree looking for work, hopefully this list gave you a good glimpse of the possibilities. Beyond this list, use your creativity. Look at your likes and dislikes, and your strengths and weaknesses. Then search for jobs that fit your wants and needs.

What are your thoughts on this subject? Do you have any great job ideas for retirees?

Photo by NCDOT communications.