Computerworld - If you're ready to scale back your hectic work life but not yet retire completely, read on. Career experts offer tips designed to help IT workers who want to stay active and employed as they head toward retirement.
, founder, A Successful Career/Adept Business Services, Campbell, Calif.
Evaluate your options. If you're not ready to quit entirely, what reasonable choices exist that will allow you to continue using your expertise on a less-intensive or less-exalted level? Identify, explore and prioritize them. Then make changes when and as they become appropriate.
Don't let retirement hit you in the face! Professionals who have worked intensely and in a highly focused environment can find retirement a shock -- depressing and unfulfilling. Prepare for the change by exploring satisfying ways to use your time and energy. One possibility: service organizations such as SCORE.
Use your knowledge and the identity you have produced with highly valued accomplishments to keep younger, stronger and less-burdened professionals at bay. You can't compete with youth on their terms. Move up the hierarchy into leadership roles.
Switch from studying advanced knowledge in your field to studying "marginal practices" that broaden the value of your professional knowledge. Study general business concerns and practices first, then focus on one or two areas that make you even more scarce and valuable.
Tired of the 60-hour workweek? It may be time to think of tapering your hours. What skill do you possess that: 1) you really enjoy using, and 2) a company won't be able to duplicate too easily? Be thinking about how you can communicate why it's in their best interest for you to do what you want.
If you have reached retirement, enjoy it deeply. If you are nearing retirement, you have the toughest job of all. Your best path to a new job is through consulting projects where you get to teach others through your years of wisdom.
Become a mentor. Sounds contrary to building your own career, but becoming a mentor is a unique way to further your own learningand give back to fellow employees, as well as get exposure.
Keep up with advances in technology and changes in business philosophy. You have to be willing to know as much, if not more, than your younger colleagues.
Retirement is a chance to pursue a second (or third or fourth) career, one that often translates into starting a small business or a consulting practice. Start doing your research before retirement and you'll be ready for a new career path when the time comes to step down.
Older job seekers will be more employable in the years ahead as shortages develop in the professional and executive ranks. But continuing your career successfully requires thinking and acting young. Every month, review your previous month's activity to ensure you're adding value. Be a mentor to younger people in your organization. If you decide not to stay in a corporate role, think about starting a business doing something you enjoy, possibly with other friends and relatives who have extra time.
Seasoned IT workers bring a competitive edge to any company. Working with a professional staffing company to leverage your expertise and abilities is an option. A staffing company offers many employment opportunities for workers who elect a phased retirement, seek a new career path or want to further their professional development.
A high demand for experienced, security-cleared people currently exists within the IT industry. Skilled people to maintain legacy systems and existing programs are highly sought-after for both full- and part-time jobs. With the right kind of clearance and experience, opportunities such as these abound.
Don't be afraid to do contract/project-based work. Market your expertise on your resume as highly results-driven. Keep certifications up to date and get new certifications on new technologies.
Legacy pays. Be aware of the prevalence of legacy IT systems and the need that many companies still have in maintaining these systems. Market your knowledge and skills of these systems to potential employers, if you are considering a late-stage career change. While you might have used these skills years ago, they certainly are not obsolete and you should ensure that they're captured in the company's skills database. You might have knowledge and key skill sets that the company needs for a project down the road.
Make sure your company's business objectives align with your personal objectives. Understand your company's three-to-five-year plans for the business, and assess their implications not only for the technology organization but also for you personally. If your goal is to ride out your sunset years but your company needs a complete overhaul of its infrastructure, consider realistically whether you are up for the challenge.
Leave a legacy. There are numerous ways to ride off into the sunset, but the majority of us would prefer to end our careers knowing that we had positive influences on the businesses and people we have encountered. Spend some time looking at the relationships you have built and see if there is a select group of people you can mentor to help progress their individual careers. Your legacy will also be measured according to your impact on the business.
Share your knowledge. A mentoring relationship doesn't just benefit the mentee. Many people feel a sense of pride and become re-energized when they take enthusiastic, less-experienced workers under their wing. You may also consider teaching a college course or speaking at student technology conferences.
Keep the door open. When you retire, leave on the best possible terms. By exiting gracefully and maintaining contact with your colleagues, you'll increase the likelihood of being able to pick up where you left off if you decide to return to the workforce.
Technology is constantly changing. Staying up to date is crucial to consistently increasing your value within an organization -- even in the latter stages of your career. However, don't let that undermine the value of your intellectual capital and experience. Be sure to connect your experiences to today's business needs and highlight the insight and resources you bring to the table.
Follow your heart and consider trying some jobs you've always wanted to do, like teaching on an adjunct basis for a local college or training facility.
Consider consulting in the IT field or working as an IT recruiter for an IT staffing agency.
Give back your talents by volunteering your expertise with nonprofit agencies, your church or your community.
Read more about Careers in Computerworld's Careers Topic Center.
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