When I started Republic Resumes in Adelaide about 10 per cent of my clients were retirees wanting to work part time or casually. I focused on their interests and targeted their resumes to new careers.
Jennie Deneefe didn’t know what to expect when, at 63, she permanently clocked off from her three-decade teaching career.
But she certainly wasn’t expecting her retirement to be more devastating than wonderful.
“I retired at the end of 2017 and 2018 was just the most awful, awful year,” she says.
After working a busy job and raising three children, retirement — which coincided with her children moving out of home — presented Ms Deneefe with an empty void.
“I couldn’t imagine the future. I wasn’t imagining the future with any purpose. I wasn’t a mother. I wasn’t a teacher. Who was I? What was I?” she says.
Things got so bad she found herself questioning, “What’s the point? Who would miss me? Why am I here? Why am I bothering?”
Jennifer Luke, career development and retirement researcher at the University of Southern Queensland, has interviewed around 50 Australians who have reached retirement age.
She says many people don’t actually take up retirement at that age, or enter retirement and soon want to return to some sort of paid or volunteer work.
The need for money can influence that decision, but Ms Luke says it’s not usually the most pressing concern.
“Financial [motivation] does factor in … but it’s never the number one,” Ms Luke tells ABC RN’s Life Matters.
“The number one that always came through was wanting to keep busy. And if it wasn’t keep busy, it was having that social inclusion. That was actually the biggest one of all.”
This throws a light on ageism.
As an Adelaide resume writer, I help clients fight age prejudice by employing the latest in resume writing and interview techniques.
It ain’t easy but I’ve had some remarkable successes. Such as:
“After many unsuccessful applications I contacted Malcolm to assist in redesigning my resume and cover letters. He provided a quality, professional service with very quick responses. As an older job seeker, the results were immediate with several interview offers which resulted in a job. I would have no hesitation in recommending Malcolm to anyone looking to create or update their resume. Thanks Malcolm!” Allan Stenson
Why if older people have so much experience and wisdom to offer, is ageism still such a stumbling block?
I asked that question 15 years ago and change is slow.
It’s prejudice by recruiters and employers.