Encore Careers: The Lowdown

If you’ve got a good few decades under your belt in your chosen career, you may be thinking about saying farewell to your 9-5. However, if you’re not quite ready to leave the world of work for good and want to keep one foot in the door but on your own terms, a career encore could be just what you’re looking for.

Encore careers are an excellent option for adults nearing retirement who’d like to continue working. Here’s everything you need to know about encore careers so you can decide if this is the right step for you.

What Are Encore Careers?

An encore career is a second career path, typically for people over the age of 50 who’ve achieved success and conquered their goals after many years of working. Often, encore careers are related to causes that have a societal impact, with people reaching a stage where they want to give something back.

Many encore careers are paid roles in fields like education, social services, health and the charity sector. If you’re not quite ready to hang up your briefcase, a career encore could be the perfect opportunity to try something new.

Why Do People Choose Encore Careers?

Many factors influence people’s decisions to delay retirement or to retire and then pursue an encore career. If you’re still looking any of the following, a career encore could be the right choice for you:

Personal Fulfillment

With many years (possibly multiple decades) of experience in your chosen field behind you, you might be ready to seek work that’s more aligned with your personal values, interests or passions…or you may just want a new challenge. Career progression opportunities and thoughts of your future CV are less likely to be a priority at this stage, leaving you open to new options you’ve never entertained before. A career encore can help provide a continued sense of purpose, satisfaction and excitement.

Work-Life Balance

Encore careers often offer more flexibility in terms of working hours, location and the ability to create a balance between your work and personal life. This flexibility allows you to prioritise other aspects of your life such as family, travel and hobbies.

Never quite managed to ‘have it all’ before? With a career encore, you can conquer your final frontier.

Making a Difference

Lots of people choose a career encore as a way to discover a purposeful and meaningful path as they transition towards retirement. You may choose to devote your efforts to addressing social or environmental issues, or helping and advocating for others.

Discovering New Paths

Encore careers provide a chance to discover new paths and experiment without worrying about how this will affect your long-term career growth. An encore career offers the chance to explore a fresh passion or interest that may not have been possible during your previous career. The world is still your oyster.

Sustained Involvement

Retirement can be a huge transition that transforms the routine you’ve known all your working life. If you’re worried about missing out on the social interactions and mental engagement your career has always given you, research encore careers that will still give you that.

Extra Income

While financial considerations shouldn’t be your sole motivation, encore careers can provide a source of income (or supplemental income) during your retirement years. This can be particularly important if you don’t have sufficient savings or pensions to sustain your desired lifestyle.

7 Encore Career Ideas

There are so many encore career ideas out there, and your ideal route will depend on your individual passions, abilities and goals. Spend some time pondering what genuinely sparks your interest and delve into possibilities that match your interests and principles. Below are some popular encore career ideas:

1. Non-Profit

With ‘making a difference’ being one of the core reasons behind people wanting a career encore, many people go on to work for non-profits, charities, foundations and social enterprises, taking on roles such as programme managers, fundraisers, community organisers or advocates. Find a non-profit that aligns with your interests and swap office stress for the satisfaction of making a difference.

2. Education

Encore careers in education allow you to share your knowledge and skills with others. You might choose to become a part-time teacher in a school or college, or even lecture at a university. Your guidance and knowledge can be precious in moulding and influencing the next generation.

3. Healthcare

If you enjoy providing care, assistance and support to others, consider an encore career in healthcare or social services. You could explore becoming a therapist, providing advice to healthcare start-ups, or working in a community centre or hospice.

4. Creative Arts

Love the arts but haven’t always had the time to nurture your passion while you’ve been so busy with your career? There are so many encore career ideas that will let you channel your creative passion. These could include:

• Providing music lessons
• Starting a creative studio
• Selling illustrations or hand-crafted items
• Freelance copywriting
• Writing a book – whether it’s the novel that’s been in your head for years or insider tips for others wanting to follow in your career footsteps!

5. Start a Business

If you’re someone who’s always had a burning passion for entrepreneurship, you can take the leap and start your own business. Discovering a niche in the market or embarking on a project that resonates with your abilities and passions can make for a thrilling career encore.

6. Event Planning and Coordination

Are you the most organised person you know? Love an occasion? If so, why not consider an encore career in event planning? It could be the perfect fit for your skills and interests. You can create unforgettable experiences for others by helping them organise weddings, fundraisers or even birthday parties.

7. Mentoring

If you’ve stacked up an impressive CV over the years, you can turn that accomplishment into a career encore as a mentor. Sharing your knowledge, experience and valuable lessons with mentees can guide them in overcoming obstacles, making wise choices and advancing in their careers. Mentoring allows you to give something back to your sector and support the next generation. Read more about what makes a good mentor.

How To Embark On Your Career Encore

Starting an encore career involves careful planning and thoughtful consideration of your interests, skills and your desired impact. Here are some steps to help you get started:

1. Self-Reflection

Take some time to reflect on what interests you, what your values are and what causes matter most to you. What skills and expertise are transferable from your primary career? Use this as motivation in searching out encore career ideas that could be right for you.

2. Research and Plan

Once you’ve figured out what truly inspires and motivates you, it’s time to do some research. Which organisations and job roles align with your interests? What skills and qualifications are required? Use this to identify potential opportunities and also any skills gaps you might need to fill so you’re in the best place to go after your encore career of choice.

3. Redesign Your LinkedIn Profile and CV

If you want a career encore, now’s the time to update your CV and LinkedIn profile. Showcase the transferable skills you have and highlight your relevant experience. Revamp your online image so that it aligns with the encore career you crave.

4. Use Available Resources

Engaging with career counselling services, mentorship programmes and networking groups could help you feel more prepared for your career encore. These resources can offer assistance, recommendations and a supportive network.

5. Be Open to Change

Embarking on an encore career might require accepting a fresh work setting, new work schedules or adapting to a different skill set. As you begin this new stage, be willing to learn, grow and adjust your plans based on new experiences and insights. Encore careers are likely to evolve over time as you gain more clarity about your goals and find the right path for you.

6. Reach Out to Your Network

When you’re embarking on a career encore, speak to your friends, family and former colleagues to see if they know of any job opportunities that could be suited to you. Remember, it’s not always what you know but who you know.

Become a Mentor As A Career Encore

Starting an encore career is a personal journey that requires self-reflection, a whole lot of planning and a willingness to explore new possibilities. It’s an opportunity to leverage your experience and expertise to make a positive impact, while finding personal fulfillment in your work – all of which applies to mentoring.

Seize this wonderful chance to make a difference and motivate the next generation of trailblazers. Begin your career encore – sign up as a mentor with Career Navig8r to:

• Help others achieve their career goals
• Share your knowledge and expertise
• Make some extra money
• Show ‘em you’ve still got it

Read more about the benefits of mentoring.