At Goodwill, we're all about diversity, equity, and inclusion. That means we try to provide jobs for the working person at all levels of abilities, ages, and socioeconomic status. If you're you're looking for something that is different from what you're doing now, you can always visit Career Connections in Ocean Springs for a job assessment and some guidance. Meanwhile, check out the jobs below that won't discriminate against age, gender, or race.
Courier
Deliver food, packages, or other goods from restaurants, stores, or warehouses to the local people who ordered them. (The increased use of services like Amazon Flex and GrubHub is leading to more opportunities.) You need to be efficient in these jobs, since workers are often held to time-frame standards for delivery.
Medical courier work is also becoming more common. A medical courier transports and delivers test results, lab specimens, images (such as x-rays), medications, and other medically necessary items.
Image via Artem Podrez from Pexels.com
chef
If you already love to cook for people, it’s time to make that pay. The best part is - no college degree required! Most Chefs learn their skills through work experience. However, you can get training from select community colleges, technical schools, culinary arts school s, or 4-year colleges. Your job is to choose the dishes to serve, oversee the daily food preparation, and direct the kitchen staff to handle any food-related concerns. You get to work around food all day.
Image via Felicity Tai from Pexels.com
On-demand driver
Services such as Uber and Lyft need independent drivers to take passengers from place to place. Because you set your own hours, on-demand driving is one of the most flexible part-time jobs for seniors. In fact, according to a survey by Benenson Strategy Group, about 23 percent of Uber's drivers are over 50. Plus, two-thirds of Uber contractors have no previous job history as drivers. So these services offer suitable jobs for older people with no experience but clean driving records. (If you're thinking about getting a new vehicle, check out some of the best cars for seniors.)
Esl teacher
Helping others master the English language is one of the best jobs for meeting new people and learning about foreign countries. Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification improves your chances of finding a job, but it isn't always necessary. You can teach overseas and combine work with travel. Or you can stick close to home and meet people from other cultures while helping them acquire English language proficiency.
Image via Katerina Holmes from Pexels.com
customer service rep
Do you enjoy talking on the phone? Why not help people by answering questions and solving problems? You need patience and good communication skills for this work. Basic computer knowledge is also necessary. But work-at-home jobs are available. And the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) says that some positions in this field are part-time, which can make customer service a good option for seniors.
Image via Mikhail Nilov from Pexels.com
tour guide
Share your love of local attractions and inspire others with your knowledge of history and geography. Depending on the venue, you could meet people from around the world. Public-speaking skills and a good memory are essential.
Image via Te lensFix from Pexels.com
Sales representative
This is one of the most popular jobs for seniors. And it's easy to see why: Retail positions often have flexible schedules, opportunities for friendly contact with customers, and even healthcare benefits if you work for a larger company. (For example, Costco, Whole Foods, and REI provide health insurance benefits to part-time workers as long as they work a certain number of hours per week.)
Plus, salespeople are often eligible for a store discount. And you could work at a store that aligns with your personal interests—for example, a bookstore if you like to read, a clothing store if you follow fashion, or a sports store if you're athletically inclined.
Event usher or attendant
Do you enjoy attending concerts, plays, and sporting events? Consider helping out—and earning some money—as an usher or event attendant. You could help people find their seats, take tickets, and provide general assistance. These jobs generally don't require much training, and they typically involve part-time work hours. Evening and weekend shifts are common.
Image via Monica Silvestre from Pexels.com
greeter
Are you a real people person? Greeters welcome visitors with a friendly hello as they enter stores or other facilities. Generally, they also answer questions, assist people with packages, keep an eye out for shoplifters, and do basic cleaning. You should be comfortable standing for long periods of time.
TUTOR
Do you have a strong background in an academic area? You could help others successfully learn that subject. Plus, tutoring is usually a flexible job since you can often set your own hours and choose your clients.
Your clients could include anyone from elementary students to adult learners. Tutors who know how to help students prepare for college-entrance tests such as the SAT are also in demand. You can work independently by finding your own clients, or you can work for an established tutoring company.
SEE PROGRAM PARTICIPANT
The Senior Environmental Employment (SEE) Program within the Environmental Protection Agency aims to give experienced workers over the age of 55 opportunities to use their knowledge and applicable work experience by doing meaningful jobs that helps the environment.
People who participate in the SEE Program aren't employees of the federal government. However, they still get paid, and they are eligible for benefits like health insurance and paid holidays.
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Saying that most 17-year-olds are social media savvy feels like an understatement. If you enjoy spending your time on the various platforms, as well as learning the new ones as they emerge, working as a social media manager could be a great fit.
During the day, you’d create content, schedule posts, respond to comments, and handle other similar responsibilities.
VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
These workers do similar tasks to administrative assistants, but they typically work remotely. So this is a great option for people who are looking for jobs for seniors at home. Plus, working as a virtual assistant is possible while traveling since the work can be done anywhere with a good Internet connection.
Image via Vlada Karpovich from Pexels.com
DOG WALKER OR PET SITTER
Are you an animal lover? Many pet owners are looking for help from their beloved companions. And many are willing to pay substantial sums to keep their pets happy and healthy. However, this job carries a lot of responsibility since you must look after a prized family member.
Sites such as Rover match potential pet sitters with pet owners. Or you can advertise your services within your community.
Image via Johann from Pexels.com
HANDY PERSON
Handy, physically fit seniors can help others with odd jobs and repairs. To find clients, you can advertise in your community or apply for a job with an established company. One other option for finding clients is TaskRabbit, which works a bit like Uber. The app matches people who are looking to do odd jobs with people who need repair work or help with miscellaneous household jobs. Tasks can range from assembling furniture to fixing plumbing issues. "Taskers," as they're called, must complete a criminal record check before registering.
Image via Bidvine from Pexels.com
FIND a company known for diversity, equity, and inclusion
Comments