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Top 21 Low-Stress Jobs After Retirement in 2024

August 6, 2024 No Comments

By Marjolein Dilven

With lots of work options to choose from, we have compiled a list of the top 21 low-stress jobs after retirement that offer the perfect mix of low tension and ample benefits.

After a lifetime of work, most retirees are looking for a low-stress job that will allow them to enjoy their golden years.

Read on to find out how to start making money in your golden years!

1. Blogging

Blogging can be a low-stress job after retirement. It can be a great way to remain connected to the world and share your thoughts and ideas with others, and it can also be a way of making money.

You need to keep in mind a few things if you want to start a blog. Find a niche that you are passionate about because having a specialization will make it easier to write quality content that people will want to read. Also, you need to be consistent with your blogging.

When you want to make money online, one of the best ways is to start your own blog. With Bluehost, you can create your blog for $60 per year. With this exclusive link, you get a 50% discount and a free domain name (value $15).

✨ Start My Blog Today

2. Survey Sites

Many survey sites, such as Swagbucks, can help you make money after retirement. These sites will ask you your opinions on various products and services. In return, you will get paid for your time and feedback. A great way to make extra money post-retirement! You can use the money to pay for leisure activities or travel.

Ensure you understand how the site works and what you must do, and be honest when answering online surveys. The site will only pay you if your responses are accurate. It may take some time to earn enough money to cover your expenses, but stick with it, and you will be able to make some extra money during your retirement years.

If you’re looking to get started on some survey sites, check out the following platforms:

- Swagbucks – get a $5 bonus when you sign-up with this link. Check our full Swagbucks review here.

InboxDollars – earn an instant $5 bonus when you sign-up with this link. Here is our full InboxDollars review for more details.
MyPoints – sign up now and get your $5 bonus using this link. Read our full MyPoints review to know more about the platform.
Rakuten also offers cashback, and you can get a $10 referral bonus when you sign up with our link. Check out our Rakuten review for more details about the platform.

3. Delivery Driver

One easy way to make extra cash after retirement is to become a delivery driver. You can find delivery driver jobs on websites like Craigslist or Indeed.

Delivery driver jobs usually involve driving to different locations and delivering products or food to customers. Some delivery driver jobs may also require you to do some light lifting. If you’re interested in becoming a delivery driver, familiarize yourself with the job duties and requirements before applying.

Most delivery driver jobs don’t require a lot of experience or training, so it’s an excellent option for retirees who want to make some extra money.

The most popular platform out there is DoorDash, an American online food ordering and delivery platform where you can make $500 a week delivering food. To learn more about the platform, check our full DoorDash review here.

Make Money With DoorDash $$$

4. Dog Walker

If you love dogs and are looking for a low-stress job after retirement, dog walking might be the ideal job for you. This job doesn’t require much time or energy, and you can do it at your own pace.

With this job, you can spend time outdoors and get some exercise, which is excellent for your health. Also, you can spend time with adorable dogs!

Nowadays, the most popular pet walking and sitting app is Rover, where you can also offer dog care and cat sitting, and other animal care services. You can earn over $1,000 monthly, and you get flexible working hours, too!

CHECK OUT ROVER

5. Proof-reader

Do you want to make extra money, and do you love checking someone else’s spelling, typography, and formatting? Proofreading is the job for you.

As a proof-reader, you can help people increase the quality of their writing. You can point out mistakes and get paid for doing so. The best part is that you can do this entirely on your own timeline, from the comfort of your home.

If you are serious about becoming a proof-reader, there are different courses that you can follow. One of them is Proofread Anywhere, a popular training course by Caitlin Pyle that prepares you for the best remote proofreading jobs in the market. Caitlin made over $36,000 per year part-time as a proof-reader, so this has some high-income potential.

Try out her completely FREE workshop if you feel stuck and love to make some extra money. You will learn how to start proofreading and, most importantly, where to find clients.

FREE WORKSHOP – SIGN ME UP

6. Focus Group Participant

After retirement, being a focus group participant is a great way to spend your time and get paid to help researchers!

You will be assisting researchers in learning more about how people think and feel, and you won’t have to stress making any decisions. It can be a low-stress job, and you’ll get to know new people and learn about different things. You might enjoy it so much that you decide to do more focus groups in the future!

Do you want to know our favourite focus groups? You can check out:

- Survey Junkie is where you go for online paid focus groups that pay up to $150 per session. Check out our full Survey Junkie review for more details, or go to the Survey Junkie site directly.
- I’ve personally used Respondent and love checking out what they currently have to offer. They pay up to $250 an hour, and I’ve made over $500 with them over the last year.

7. Transcriptionist

Transcriptionists can be a low-stress job after retirement because it is a freelance job that you can do from home. It does not require a lot of interaction with others, and you can decide when you work, so it can be an excellent job for someone who wants to work alone.

There are many transcription jobs available because this job is in high demand. The pay is per hour, and the hours are flexible. Overall, transcriptionists can have a low-stress job after retirement.

If you’re looking for a free introduction to transcription, you can check out this free mini-course from General Transcription. The founder and CEO, Janet Shaughnessy, has put over 10+ years of experience with transcribing in this mini-course. She also created the only course ever approved by the AAERT (American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers).

Yes, Sign me up (FREE)

8. Virtual Assistant

After retirement, you can search online for virtual assistant jobs or start your own business as a freelance virtual assistant.

Many websites list virtual assistant jobs, and many of these jobs are flexible enough to allow you to work from home. If you want to continue working in a traditional office environment, you can also look for virtual assistant jobs with companies that have remote work options.

Do you want to know where to start? Here are the 275+ services that you can start offering as a virtual assistant.

Make Money As A VA

9. Tutoring

Tutoring is a great option for retirees because it’s a flexible, part-time job with short hours. It can be a good way to help students learn and prepare for their future.

To begin your career as a tutor, first, you will need to understand the subject you will be teaching. For example, if you have legal practice or law school experience, you may be best suited for LSAT tutoring online. Playing to your specialism will always be the most lucrative.

If you are interested in tutoring, you can do a few things to get started. First, you can start by advertising your services online or in your local community. You can also contact your local schools or libraries to see if they require tutors.

10. Freelance Writing

Freelance writing can be a great way to earn money while doing something you love.

It offers a lot of flexibility, allowing you to work from home or anywhere else. Also, since there is no boss to report to, you can set your hours on the job and do as much or as little work as you wish.

If you’re interested in freelance writing, there are a few things you can do to get started. First, research the types of writing that interest you and find out who hires freelancers for projects. Then, start building your portfolio by writing articles and blog posts for free. Once you have a few samples to show potential clients, you can start pitching your services.

11. Pet Sitter

After retirement, you can work as a pet sitter and earn income. Doing so will allow you to stay active and social while also providing a valuable service to your community. You can also use the pet sitting business to travel and see new places, as pet sitting is a portable business.

Be a pet sitter and get the opportunity to form long-lasting bonds with your clients and their pets. This job is a gratifying experience, as you will be providing love and companionship to animals who need it. In addition, working as a pet sitter can help keep you physically active and mentally sharp, as you will constantly be on the go.

12. Rideshare Driver

A rideshare driver is an excellent job after retirement because you can set your hours without a boss. You also get to meet new people and see new places. A nice job for someone who wants to stay busy after retirement.

Before working in this job, you might need to purchase additional insurance because your insurance may not cover you if you get into an accident while working.

But, overall, becoming a rideshare driver is a great way to make extra money after retirement. Companies like Uber and Lyft can help you get started.

13. Craft Selling

Another low-stress job option you can consider after leaving your previous career is to sell crafts from home.

Craft selling can be a good side hustle idea. It can be a great social activity, allowing retirees to meet new people and make new friends. Moreover, setting up your business as a crafts seller can be relatively easy and inexpensive.

14. Furniture Flipper

When you retire, one of the essential things to consider is finding a job that fits your new lifestyle. A low-stress job is ideal, and furniture flipping may be the perfect fit.

Furniture flipping is a great way to make money while enjoying your retirement. It doesn’t require much time or effort, and you can set your hours. Plus, it’s a fun way to find hidden treasures and give them new life.

If you’re feeling creative, you can add your personal touch by adding some decorative details. Once the furniture is finished, you can sell it for a profit or use it in your own home.

15. Chat Moderator

Many people worry about what they will do after they retire, and they may have difficulty transitioning to a low-stress job that doesn’t require them to wake up early or stay up late. Being a chat moderator is an excellent option for you: you can work from home, set your hours, and help people worldwide.

Chat moderators help keep online chatrooms and forums organized and fun. They may also help resolve conflicts between users if you’re looking for a low-stress job after retirement.

16. Translator

Translators can work from home, which can be an excellent option for retirees who want to stay busy and engaged in their retirement years. Translators need to have a good sense of grammar and syntax, which can be valuable for those looking to keep their minds active.

And finally, translators can often choose their hours, which can be a big plus for retirees who want to flex their schedules. So if you want a low-stress job after retirement, why not give this a shot!

17. Voiceover Artist

Many people choose to retire and then return to work in a low-stress job. A terrific way to enjoy your retirement, you can still have some structure and find a new purpose in your life.

Being a voiceover artist is one of the best gigs for retirees. It doesn’t require a lot of physical activity: all you need is a strong voice and the ability to read off a script. You can often work from home, an excellent perk for retirees.

Alternatively, it’s possible to become a phone actress when you love talking to people and connecting to them.

18. Vlogging

Many retirees worry about what they will do with their time after leaving the workforce. An excellent option for those looking for a low-stress job is vlogging.

Vlogging can be a great way to stay connected to the world, sharing your thoughts and experiences with others while making money. You can earn money through sponsorships, advertising, product placement, etc.

If you’re interested in vlogging, you can make money on YouTube like Demolition Ranch or learn how to make money on Snapchat.

19. Charity Work

There are many low-stress jobs that people can take up after retirement. These jobs can provide a sense of fulfilment and purpose. One of them is charity work.

Charity work can be gratifying, both emotionally and spiritually, and it can help people feel connected to their community and make a difference. There are many different types of charity work, so people can surely find one that matches their interests and skills.

20. Personal Shopper

If you’re searching for a side gig that doesn’t require a lot of physical activity, consider becoming a personal shopper. This job lets you work from home and set your hours.

As a personal shopper, you will be responsible for helping clients find the perfect items for their needs. So, if you want to stay active and earn extra money, this job is it!

21. Retirement Planner

Being a retirement planner has its merit. You get flexible hours, choose the clients you work with, and help people in a similar situation. It’s also an excellent way to stay mentally stimulated, which might give you a renewed sense of purpose and helps in keeping you social.

Additionally, the money you get paid for being a retirement planner is exceptionally lucrative, helping supplement your passive income in retirement and making the transition easier.

Conclusion – Low-Stress Jobs After Retirement

Working in low-stress jobs after retirement can bring many benefits to your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Your income from these gigs will also add to your savings for emergencies or dream vacations.

With these tips on low-stress jobs after retirement, you can renew your sense of purpose, and your twilight years can be more comfortable. May your golden years shine more brightly!

By Marjolein Dilven

Sourced from Radical Fire

In News

5 Websites To Get Freelance Jobs That You Probably Didn’t Know Existed

July 30, 2024 No Comments

By Rachel Wells

If you’re looking to start out as a freelancer this year, you’ve no doubt heard of popular freelance platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, and People Per Hour.

And while these all have their place, the unfortunate reality is that, much of the time, they are over-saturated (especially in some sectors and freelance job categories).

As the freelancing and the side hustle or gig or economy increases in popularity and widespread adoption by professionals globally, almost everyone is setting their sights on these freelancing websites and it becomes much more difficult to obtain work without being overcrowded or not noticed at all due to the competition.

Consequently, you end up being back at square one: endlessly looking for work, and lowering your fees to ridiculously low prices in a desperate bid to have enough income to boost your salary or to live on full-time.

To this end, within this article are compiled five freelancing websites which may not be as wildly popular when you initially think of freelancing, but nonetheless, are effective and gather a niche crowd of customers and clients.

What To Consider Before Joining A Freelance Platform

Since they are so niche, there are a couple things you need to bear in mind:

You Need To Be Niche

Places such as Upwork can be viewed as more general job boards such as Indeed, while freelance job platforms such as the ones listed below, can be compared to places such as Dice, which is exclusively focused on tech. Therefore, you need to ensure that you have a set goal and purpose as a freelancer. You need to have a very specific set of skills, and stick by them. You should also be able to clearly articulate what value you bring to a specific industry or niche.

Entry Requirements

While on the topic of exclusivity, it’s very useful to bear in mind that these freelance websites are not mere job boards. They exist as a freelance marketplace, providing high value to their clients who search for freelance talent on their platforms, and they also exist to ensure you as a freelancer are protected and abide by their ethics.

Therefore, you may find it more difficult to get in the door with these freelance communities more than any other platform that accepts your profile within a few short hours after you sign up.

For this reason, it’s essential to know how to sell yourself, and most of all, to be patient, persistent, and follow all their guidance and instructions for what they’re looking for in freelancers.

Young woman using a laptop at home — *It’s essential to have a portfolio and clearly articulate your value to be considered for niche … [+] GETTY*

5 Websites To Get Freelance Jobs

Here are a few of the niche, or “elite,” freelance job platforms that you may or may not have heard of. They raise the bar for freelance talent and as such, it would be very useful at this stage to have a portfolio before applying or setting up your profile with them. You need to be extremely confident in your skills and abilities. Otherwise, you may be sorely disappointed.

1. Catalant Technologies

This freelance platform is dedicated to freelancers looking for consulting projects. Their consulting project categories include corporate strategy, supply chain, HR, sales and marketing, and digital transformation.

2. Gigged AI

Gigged AI is a UK-based skills-focused freelance talent platform that connects you with freelance work according to your skills. These skills can range from project management, to stakeholder management, to business analysis, and social media management.

3. Contra.com

Contra is a commission-free freelance platform that helps you find a variety of freelance jobs suited to your profile, and enables you to create invoices and manage your workflow.

4. Gun.io

To be a freelancer on Gun.io, you need to be a developer and you need to pass comprehensive vetting. They make it clear that they are looking for world-class, “exceptional developers.” After screening and profile creation, you would have an intro call with the Gun.io team and then be introduced to their clients to get the ball rolling.

5. DesignHill

DesignHill is a creative marketplace for graphic designs, from logo creation, to stationery, brochures, and packaging. As a designer, you would be competing for your design to be selected in a design project competition, and if your design is selected, the client will request to work with you further on edits.

Business performance monitoring and evaluation concept, Take an assessment, Business man using laptop and tablet online checklist survey, Filling out digital checklist, Questionnaire with checkboxes. — *Elite freelance platforms will usually have strict vetting requirements for new freelancers. GETTY*

So when it comes to freelance websites, if you think you’ve seen them all, chances are you’re missing out on a ton of freelance job opportunities. With a little digging, you can find a wide array of freelance opportunities and projects to work on.

Feature Image Credit: GETTY

By Rachel Wells

Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website.

LinkedIn Top Voice. Silver winner of the London Chamber of Commerce’s Young Business Person of The Year 2024. The 24-year-old founder and CEO of Rachel Wells Coaching. Youtuber. Launching an AI start-up soon. Started coaching when I was 14 years old…… read more

Sourced from Forbes

In News

20 Best Jobs For People Who Prefer To Work Alone

January 9, 2023 No Comments

By NyRee Ausler

here is a meme that reads, “I don’t want to go outside. It’s too peopley out there.” As funny as that sounds, there are people in our society that prefer to be alone.

We might call them introverts, loners, antisocial or shy, but the common theme is that they prefer their own company over that of others. They are people who hate people, essentially.

Being a person who dislikes being around people can limit your career options, but despite what you may think, there are a ton of paying jobs for people who prefer to work alone. Your personality doesn’t have to limit your job opportunities.

Below are jobs that you can do without changing your social behaviour. You just might find the perfect job for yourself.

1. Video Editor

Video editors spend hours at a time going through footage and combining clips into a masterpiece. This job requires a lot of quiet, alone time and is perfect for people who hate people.

2. Graphic Designer

Like a video editor, a graphic designer does editing, too. They edit existing images for public consumption and create them based on business needs. This job is a solo venture.

3. Accountant

If you have a love for working with numbers and organizing finances, a job as an accountant might be ideal for you. You get to spend all day with numbers instead of people!

4. Auditor

An auditor is someone who follows paper trails to resolve issues and ensure compliance. This position is ideal for someone who wants to be left to their own devices.

5. Veterinarian

If animals are your thing, although people are not, a career as a veterinarian may be just right for you. Also consider a dog walker, an animal trainer, groomer, or breeder.

6. Computer Programmer

A computer programmer codes and creates websites. In addition, they make computer applications that save users time and money. This is a lucrative career to get into.

7. Content Manager

If you enjoy strategically creating content that amplifies a company’s brand, a job as a content manager may suit you well. Editorial calendars, publishing, and writing are among the duties.

8. Drafter

Is drawing your thing? Do you love to put the puzzle pieces together to create beautiful structures? Look into a job as a drafter where you can design buildings or machinery.

9. Writer

Writing requires a lot of alone time and downtime. But it also means you have to be imaginative, creative, be attentive to detail, and self-motivated. If this is you, look into a career as a writer.

10. Editor

Every writer needs a good editor to make sure their words make sense. There are several different editing jobs, including proofreading, copy, line content, or structural and developmental editing.

11. Engineer

If you are interested in being an engineer, the first step is to get your bachelor’s degree in computer science. It’s a secure career and a good way to keep an introvert busy and engaged.

12. IT Manager

Computer security is a field that will always be in demand. If you like learning every aspect of the software programs people use, an IT manager is a great field for you.

13. Librarian

By nature, libraries are quiet, so an introvert would find a job as a librarian a perfect fit. You get the opportunity to learn all about books and be around people who do the same.

14. Social Media Manager

If you are more comfortable interacting with people virtually, you could make an awesome social media manager. You can communicate with others without having to be in their presence.

15. Researcher

If the thought of finding answers to complex questions excites you, a job as a researcher might be what you are looking for. History or science lovers would do well in this field.

16. Tradesperson

There are many skilled trades that require specialized expertise but limited human interaction. This includes laborers, plumbers, and electricians. These jobs can be pursued through the local union.

17. Voice Actor

If you like reading out loud and have a compelling voice, you should consider becoming a voice actor. You can do this as a part of a publishing company or as a freelancer.

18. Blogger

Blogging is the same as writing except that it’s on your own platform and you control the narrative. As a blogger, you can join other platforms or simply get started on your own.

19. Archivist

If you happen to have a master’s degree in archival science, a career as an archivist could be just what you’re looking for. You get to dive deep into history and organize the details.

20. Mortician

Maybe you don’t like being around people but are okay with the dead. As a mortician, you can make decent money and spend most of your time alone, except for meeting grieving family members.

As you can see, not being a people person does not have to stunt your career growth. You just need to find the right path for your unique personality.

Feature Image Credit: Jacob Lund via Canva

By NyRee Ausler

NyRee Ausler is a writer from Seattle, Washington, and author of seven books. She covers lifestyle and entertainment and news, as well as navigating the workplace and social issues.

Sourced from Your Tango

In News

6 Pros and Cons of Social Media During a Job Search

December 1, 2022 No Comments

By Lida Citroën

I get it. Social media can feel like a waste of time. It seems to be all about self-promotion and reads like a popularity contest. If you’re in a job search or looking to grow your career after the military, how necessary is it to be active online?

Here, we’ll look at the pros and cons of being on social media while in a job search.

Cons of Social Media During a Job Search

It seems every day we hear about another influencer, celebrity or peer who’s made an online gaffe and landed themselves in career hot water. The negatives of being online include:

1. Mistakes can happen and, when they happen online, they’re public. An ill-placed post, comment or photo shared online can go viral quickly. Trolls may respond and use your comment out of context. This is terrifying. To ensure you don’t fall prey to online mistakes, it’s important to monitor your behaviour, relationships and conversations. This all takes time.

2. It takes a lot of time to establish your online presence, build a following and become known for the values and contribution you can offer. How much time? That’s up to you. But if you simply build a LinkedIn profile and wait for job offers to roll in, you’re being naïve. Instead, the more you engage with others, form meaningful connections, post content that’s valuable and show your expertise and passion, the more your social media efforts pay off. 3. You must share to get found. During your time in the military, it likely served you best to keep a low profile. Now, it’s tempting to want to keep things close to the vest and protect your reputation, goals and career aspirations. But if you’re hidden from recruiters and others who might want to know or refer you to others, this could prove challenging to your career.

While not having an online presence doesn’t mean you won’t find a job, you will need to consciously put more effort into other self-marketing efforts. Your in-person networking, visibility and executive presence will need to be amplified to get the attention of potential employers.

Pros of Social Media During a Job Search

Why should you embark on an online strategy and routine practice during a job search (or when growing your civilian career)? Here are some reasons:

1. You become findable. Today more than ever before, recruiters and hiring managers scour online profiles to find potential candidates, evaluate them and appraise their value, skills and talents. Your online profiles can show you in a professional, polished and appropriate way to the companies you want to attract. Being found online makes it easier for recruiters to see what you focus on, what you’re passionate about and how you interact with others. These insights help them decide whether you could do the job and whether you’d fit in with the company’s culture.

2. You can focus on specific jobs and employers. Using targeted keywords, filters and networking makes it easier for the right employers to find your profile for the right job. Discover the right keywords by reading job descriptions, talking to colleagues and doing online research. When your online profiles match up with keywords employers are searching, they find you! 3. You can control the social media platforms you engage on and how you show up. After you exit the military, your online strategy should be refined to build and grow your civilian career. Consider each social networking platform for the value it offers you to connect with your target audience, position yourself authentically and in line with your personal brand goals, and provide you the opportunity to share, contribute, serve and receive benefits. Not all social media platforms are the same.

Then, you can position yourself with intention and strategy, marketing yourself and your skills. When you approach social media armed with a plan, you’ll be intentional about where you show up online, how you interact, the content you share and with whom you connect.

While you’ll give up some privacy by being found online, you likely will find that you have a lot of control over how you appear, what you say and what others can learn about you. This can prove valuable for employers, customers and networking contacts to get to know you before having a conversation. Over time, these powerful online connections can provide you with insight for your career, mentor and counsel you around your transition, and help you build the civilian job skills you’ll need to succeed.

Before you decide you don’t need to be on social media to find a job or grow your career, check your assumptions and have a clear reason why. You will likely be asked about your decision as you move through your civilian career.

— The author of “Success After Service: How to Take Control of Your Job Search and Career After Military Duty” (2020) and “Your Next Mission: A personal branding guide for the military-to-civilian transition” (2014), Lida Citroën is a keynote speaker and presenter, executive coach, popular TEDx speaker and instructor of multiple courses on LinkedIn Learning. She regularly presents workshops on personal branding, executive presence, leadership communication, and reputation risk management.

A contributing writer for Military.com, Lida is a passionate supporter of the military, volunteering her time to help veterans transition to civilian careers and assist employers who seek to hire military talent. She regularly speaks at conferences, corporate meetings and events focused on military transition.

Want to Know More About Veteran Jobs?

Be sure to get the latest news about post-military careers, as well as critical info about veteran jobs and all the benefits of service. Subscribe to Military.com and receive customized updates delivered straight to your inbox.

By Lida Citroën

Sourced from Military.com

In News

The whisper networks helping workers get jobs

October 7, 2022 No Comments

By Alex Christian

Private online communities for like-minded professionals are growing in popularity – and they’re being used by employees to land their next role.

In 2015, David Feinman joined a new community of digital marketers on Skype. “It was 200 people bouncing ideas off one another,” explains the Pennsylvania-based video-advertising agency owner. “The founder had originally wanted to figure out an SEO [search] problem, so he brought a bunch of SEO workers into one group and had them work on it. After they solved the issue, people brought up other problems to fix; before you knew it, it was a superpower group.”

The community switched to messaging platform Slack. Membership soon swelled: thousands of workers began joining. Today, Online Geniuses has 40,000 digital marketers from all over the world. “We have different Slack channels for any type of digital marketing topic,” says Feinman, now a partner and moderator of the group. “Every day, people will share their questions, ideas and projects they’re working on; if you have a problem, you can be unstuck in minutes.”

Online Geniuses also acts as a job board, with a dedicated hiring channel. “Yesterday, we had six vacancies posted,” says Feinman. He estimates up to 40 roles are shared on the network every week, with members giving one another a “heads-up” on the latest opportunities at their companies. Contract work is also available. “It can be task-based, where someone is looking for a specific expert to run analytics, and the person who’s done it 200 times before replies and gets the work.”

Being part of the group can give candidates an edge when it comes to hiring: job-seekers can effectively receive an employee recommendation from within their network or have a head start in the hiring process based on their post history. “Members can make a name for themselves in front of thousands of people, just by helping others out,” says Feinman. “We have digital marketers from some of the biggest companies in the world as the peer group.”

Personal referrals resulting from networking are often more likely to be hired – Lauren Thomas

Today, there is a growing number of private channels like this that enable professionals to network, problem solve and enhance their careers. Many of these are on Slack, with tech workers particularly utilising the collaboration tool they use every day at work to form online communities. Employees in these networks may increase their chances of landing their next role by forming connections that could potentially fast-track their application, rather than applying via a more traditional recruitment process or platform.

The benefits for these workers seem obvious. But access to closed groups, and their job-seeking opportunities, is ultimately decided by those who control them. As technology’s role in recruitment thrives, and demand for employees in certain sectors continues to flourish, these private networks are set to become a more ingrained component of the labour market going forward – with wider implications for the workforce writ large.

‘The hidden job market’

Networking and fostering professional relationships have long been key components of a career. So, in some ways, private job networks are nothing new.

Lauren Thomas, European economist at company-reviews website Glassdoor, based in London, says these types of communities have existed in previous guises. “These groups for people with similar professional backgrounds and interests are the online equivalent of inviting your acquaintances to the pub to discuss job opportunities: they’re like virtual networking sessions.”

Employers have also long taken advantage of these evolving communities, continues Thomas, as it allows them to widen the search for their ideal candidate. “From the classified section in newspapers, to websites and now social media to promote opportunities: every time a technological advance in communication has happened, employers have made use of it.”

However, these efforts may have ramped up following the hiring crisis, leading to a spike in vacancies being shared on private networks by employees and hiring managers. “Personal referrals resulting from networking are often more likely to be hired,” adds Thomas. “And with current labour shortages, employers are desperate to hire and are looking for any edge they can.”

Recruiters move with the times – and will tap into whatever technological or communications advances occur (Credit: Getty)

Kathy Gardner, of remote job-site FlexJobs, based in New York City, describes these closed groups as part of a new “hidden job market”: a career opportunity not always posted across job boards, social media or company websites. “While this market once heavily relied on employee connections at a given company or word of mouth,” she adds, “advancements in tech and virtual tools have helped create new ways of carrying on the same concept.”

The rise of remote working has also boosted the growth of membership-based online groups. Feinman says with fewer opportunities to network in person, employees are looking to do so online instead. “Those that work remotely have lost that ability to have co-workers in their workspace. So, these communities are a super-powerful way of seamlessly connecting over a workday.”

For workers granted access to these communities, they not only have a network they can leverage to chat with peers and share knowledge – they also have a job-seeking tool they can utilise at will. “People will look for different specialties within our channel, freelance out work or offer a full-time job,” says Feinman. “Tons and tons of jobs have been exchanged within our community.”

The wider implications

Thomas believes these private online communities will continue to flourish and become a more ingrained part of job seeking. She says it speaks to a wider trend in how technology is being used in hiring. “It allows both sides of the market to evaluate more potential matches.”

While employee referrals have always been a way for candidates to fast-track their job applications, closed groups may have unintended consequences. “Although these online communities are being utilised by some workers, many others don’t know these groups exist,” says Carly Mednick, chief operating officer at New York-based recruiting company Monday Talent. “There can be a general lack of awareness.”

Tons and tons of jobs have been exchanged within our community – David Feinman

Increasingly, recruiters may tap into these networks as a hiring resource. “It’s something we’d absolutely consider,” says Mednick. “That said, there can be questions around diversity with invite-only channels. There can be a barrier for people who aren’t able to get into these communities because although they may be qualified, they may lack the connections to get into the group if it’s ‘exclusive’.”

A closed group means membership ultimately falls under the control of its moderators: the gatekeepers who decide whether an employee can be in a network. Online Geniuses has a 15-person team that runs its community. Feinman says while there is a mix of junior- and senior-level employees, around 25% of applications to the group end up rejected on the basis they don’t work within digital marketing. “We have a three-week manual vetting process with a waitlist of a thousand people at any given time. We constantly review profiles to ensure the group has a high quality. If anyone spams or doesn’t provide value, they’re removed.”

However, Feinman adds that access to the community is relatively straightforward and not exclusive. “If you’re in digital marketing, it’s not that hard to get in. It’s important to have people within that discipline and career so you end up with a group of people doing work that you can learn from. We want it to be the future of education for digital marketers: having a strong job network is simply a bonus.”

Bonus or not, the hiring crisis has shown workers will always be looking for better ways to find jobs – and that employers will always be looking for better ways to find good candidates. With the labour market still tight, these ‘whisper networks’ are likely to prove advantageous to both sides going forward.

“The use of these types of platforms for job postings speaks to how the market is shifting from more formal to more casual modes of communication,” says Thomas. “It’s no surprise both employers and employees see this as a complement to their current job search portfolio.”

Feature Image Credit: Getty

By Alex Christian

Sourced from BBC Worklife

In News

These will be the 15 highest-paying jobs by 2025

February 12, 2021 No Comments

By Jessica Yun

Customer service specialists, digital marketing experts, data scientists and cyber security specialists are among some of the jobs that will see pay increases over the next five years, according to recruitment experts.

Despite chronic wage stagnation in Australia, certain job sectors – like healthcare, trades and government – are currently experiencing salary growth, and tech skills, soft skills and business know-how will be prized.

COVID-19 has also accelerated the growth of some industries; for example, those in aged care, the disability sector, and mining and infrastructure are seeing notable pay increases.

Tech skills are still #1

Thanks to COVID-19’s acceleration of remote work and the digitisation of the workplace, those with digital and technological skills will be in greater demand over the coming years.

“When it comes to salary growth, technology jobs are in a stronger position compared to many other positions in the market,” Robert Half director Nicole Gorton told Yahoo Finance.

Businesses across all industries are investing more heavily into artificial intelligence and robotics, she said.

With the international travel ban still in place, hiring managers are struggling to fill specialised IT roles.

“Both these forces are placing upward pressure on tech salaries as companies compete for the right talent to help them prepare for the future of work.”

Nearly 7 in 10 chief information officers surveyed by Robert Half said they were willing to pay more to secure top talent in IT.

“With the trend likely to continue for the next few years, we expect roles such as cyber-security specialists, DevOps and cloud engineers, as well as front end software developers to show the strongest salary growth, even though they’re not necessarily projected to be the highest salaries in the market,” Gorton said.

Data scientists will also be rewarded for their expertise and specialisation, she added.

Hands holding australian dollars 50 banknotes. Finance and payment concept. — Hands holding Australian dollars 50 banknotes. Finance and payment concept.

Soft skills, business acumen in high demand

But soft skills such as communication and emotional intelligence – will be well-remunerated in the coming years, too, according to Adecco Australia managing director Kelly Van Nelson.

“The ability for employees to deal with uncertainty, pressure, and to continue working at their best during tough times is what will set them apart from the rest,” she said, highlighting resilience as a particularly important quality.

But the rare workers who combine both tech skills, business acumen and soft skills will be the true winners. For example, financial planners and business analysts that can help businesses navigate a post-pandemic world will be in a stronger position to negotiate salaries, said Gorton.

“By 2025, it’s expected that the highest earning roles will be those which have evolved to leverage new technology to enhance a company’s capabilities and competitiveness in the market.

“In other words, jobs that break down the barriers between IT and other business functions, combining technology skills with commercial mindedness, a high degree of business acumen, and niche expertise.”

Traditional departments such as finance, marketing, and HR will prize new hires that also have tech skills, she added.

“Candidates who can enhance the value of their expertise and experience in these fields by developing knowledge of different systems, proficiency with data analytics tools, and their ability to implement and manage systems upgrades are likely to be on a path to the most highly rewarded careers in 2025.”

According to Robert Half and Adecco Australia, these are the jobs that are seeing the highest salary growth:

Software Developer
Sales Representative
Project Manager
IT Administrator
Customer Service Specialist
Digital Marketer
IT Support
Data Analyst
Financial Analyst
Graphic Designer
Cyber-security Specialist
DevOps and Cloud Engineer
Front End Developers
Data Scientist
Financial Planning & Analysis

Feature Image Credit: Getty

By Jessica Yun

Sourced from yahoo!finance

In News

Brand reputation remains top marketing priority as lockdowns ease

October 7, 2020 No Comments

By John McCarthy.

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) has interviewed 344 of its members to discover their priorities as lockdown eases. Brands treaded carefully during the pandemic and, it appears will continue to do so, with brand reputation being the priority for most.

The survey ran between July and August. With brand equity the focus over recent months, sales figures are a side-concern for the majority of marketers.

The Drum explores the research here.

Findings

Brand reputation remained the number one priority for six in 10 respondents, while sales-based activities were sidelined.
The communication of employee and public safety messages came in at number two.
Online sales were the highest-ranked of sales promotional strategies, emerging as a top priority for 15% of marketers.
Discounts and promotions to increase product sales and footfall was a “very low priority“ for the vast majority of marketers (73%). Only 2% said it was their top priority. Generating in store footfall was only a top priority for 3% of marketers.
Things have been tough. One in 10 (9%) of the respondents said that they had been made redundant; a fifth took a pay cut (20%) and that they had (17.5%) taken an enforced holiday. One in six (17%) said they had been placed on furlough during the period of the pandemic.

Analysis

Chris Daly, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, said it is reassuring to see reputation ranked first despite the very clear commercial difficulties right now.
“It is clear that the UK marketing community is not prepared to sacrifice short-term gain for long-term pain,“ he added.
He was concerned at a lack of confidence in promotional activity however: “Marketers have worked hard to maintain customer engagement during lockdown. As restrictions now ease it is key they make the most of this opportunity to help drive the recovery we are all hoping for.”
What state will the industry be in once the furlough period ends? The survey included estimates of the size of the UK marketing industry. It is estimated to employ 415,000 staff, 37,000 redundancies are expected and 83,000 are taking pay cuts.
However, good news may be around the corner. 87% of marketers felt confident or very confident that the marketing sector would bounce back after Covid-19.

By John McCarthy

Sourced from The Drum

In News

Want to get — and stay — employed through 2030? 10 jobs to consider

July 24, 2020 No Comments

By Kara Cutruzzula

This post is part of TED’s “Build Back Better” series, featuring thought leaders and change agents evaluating our systems and practices to create a more sustainable, efficient and just world. To see more ideas from the series, go here.

What will the world — and specifically, the world of work — look like over the next decade?

While most of us are content to guess, there are other people who are actively figuring it out and their findings and educated assumptions could help us all prepare for the future. Among them is Ben Pring, IT futurist and cofounder of Cognizant’s Center for the Future of Work, which tracks trends across technology, business and society.

Practically every industry in the world has been forced to adapt due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdown and economic fallout. It’s an understandably disorienting time — but it’s also one in which new careers and jobs are emerging.

“If you can position yourself and acquire the right skills, there’s a lot of opportunity, certainly if you’re a tech-centric person,” says Pring. “There’s a huge explosion of education and training material available to every one of us. Why not take advantage of that? There’s so much you can learn.”

So, which new jobs will be created in the coming years? Which jobs have already been invented in the last three months?

Here are 10 potential career paths that could become highly relevant, according to Pring.

WFH (Work From Home) Coordinator

During lockdown, millions of people had to quickly learn how to set up their home office, manage their schedules, and interact with their children and family members without getting distracted. These challenges could be made easier with a guide or assistant. “For big businesses who are suddenly scrambling to manage a huge explosion of people from home, this is becoming a dedicated role,” says Pring. This coordinator needs good managerial skills in order to support a company’s collaborative culture and morale, while also helping employees maintain their productivity.

Virtual Sound Mixer

If a baseball player hits a home run but there’s no one in the stands to see it, does it still make a sound? Thanks to the work of virtual sound mixers, the answer will probably be yes. Pring noted that European soccer leagues have been the first sports teams to come back, but their stadiums are empty due to social-distancing concerns. But while watching a recent match, he noticed that the empty stadium was far from quiet. To give it a sense of atmosphere, the producers added sounds that were sophisticated and relevant to what was happening. “I could imagine the sound engineers doing that real-time mixing,” says Pring. “Five weeks ago, no one ever thought of that job.”

Voice UX Designer

Where do you think Alexa gets all her answers? Someone has to write dialogue for voice-activated devices, and demand for this already-existing job could be accelerated by our current reality, says Pring. As people want to touch fewer items around their house and in public, they’ll be turning more and more to voice-activated gadgets. This job is good for playwrights, creative writers and journalists who can script human-like conversations.

Telehealth Facilitator

“While there’s a lot of technology in health care, the consumer experience of it has been really unchanged for a long time,” says Pring. Until now. Since doctors’ offices were largely closed — except for emergencies — in recent months, many people turned to telehealth consultations which was a radical change for most practitioners and their patients. “For millions of people, telehealth has completely changed the healthcare experience, and I can imagine the genie doesn’t go back into the bottle,” he adds.

Chief Purpose Planner

“Today there’s a need for businesses to articulate their purpose much more clearly,” says Pring. This person would set the high-level strategy and direction of a company. A creative role that’s similar to marketing and public relations, this job could help banks, airlines or other large, international corporations craft top-line goals and ideals.

Clean Hygiene Consultant

Who among us walks outside without carrying hand sanitizer now? With the public’s greater focus on health and cleanliness and the expectation that pandemics will keep occurring, there’s a growing need for people who can turn making the world a cleaner place into an actual career. “Wellness consultants” have been around for a while, and this would be its newest iteration — one that fuses well-being with public health. For this group of people, their mandate would be to make the world a cleaner, healthier and more livable place.

Virtual Events Planner

Video conferencing platforms like Zoom and BlueJeans have exploded in popularity since the pandemic began. However, as anyone who’s been to a glitchy Zoom party can tell you, there’s a lot of room for improvement. “People are thinking about how to create a virtual event that’s more sophisticated” with better socializing and networking, says Pring.

Subscription Management Specialist

Many people have reevaluated their budgets and tightened their belts during the last few months. What if there was someone who could do it for you? Pring imagines this idea as an online service or app that people would use to look at all of their subscriptions and see where they could cut their expenses. It would also simplify the subscription process and facilitate relationships between brands and customers. The skills for this job would align with those of social media managers, business analysts, or product managers, according to Cognizant.

Socially Distanced Office Designer

“Companies and hotels are having to think about redesigning their offices very seriously and in a very strategic way,” says Pring. If many workers continue to work from home, that will lead many big businesses to have excess capacity in their real estate portfolio, he says. As offices condense their holdings, they’ll need interior designers who can recalibrate and redesign interiors for a safer and more efficient and more flexible future.

Uni-for-life Coordinator

This job doesn’t really exist yet, and it depends on a major shift in college education. Traditionally, young people go to college for four years, where they study a particular field and then try to monetize their knowledge for the rest of their working lives. But Pring points out this model has been eroded by many factors, including the gig economy, rapidly changing technology and the high costs of higher ed. He wonders: What if instead of going to university for a single concentrated period, you’d go through alternate periods of learning and working after graduating from high school? Coordinators could offer “lifetime learning for all alumni,” according to Cognizant’s prediction, and they’d help manage a person’s learning over the course of their life. “This might be a completely new job that would help reconceptualize higher education to align it with change and volatility,” says Pring.

Go here to learn more about Cognizant’s Future of Work and Ben Pring’s work.

Feature Image Credit: Jenice Kim

By Kara Cutruzzula

Kara Cutruzzula is a journalist and playwright and writes Brass Ring Daily, a daily motivational newsletter about work, life and creativity.

Sourced from IDEAS.TED.COM

In News

Number of Employers Using Social Media to Screen Candidates at All-Time High

June 15, 2017 No Comments

Before posting pictures of your late-night revelry or complaints about your job on social media, think again.

By MediaStreet Staff Writers

70 percent of employers use social media to screen candidates before hiring, up significantly from 60 percent last year and 11 percent in 2006.

Here’s some other creepy stats.

– 57 percent are less likely to interview a candidate they can’t find online

– 54 percent have decided not to hire a candidate based on their social media profiles

– Half of employers check current employees’ social media profiles

– 70 percent of employers use social media to screen candidates, up from 11 percent in 2006

The national survey was conducted online on behalf of CareerBuilder by Harris Poll between February 16 and March 9, 2017. It included a representative sample of more than 2,300 hiring managers and human resource professionals across industries and company sizes in the private sector.

“Most workers have some sort of online presence today– and more than half of employers won’t hire those without one,” said Rosemary Haefner, chief human resources officer at CareerBuilder. “This shows the importance of cultivating a positive online persona. Job seekers should make their professional profiles visible online and ensure any information that could negatively impact their job search is made private or removed.”

What Are Employers Looking for?
Social recruiting is becoming a key part of HR departments – 3 in 10 employers (30 percent) have someone dedicated to the task. When researching candidates for a job, employers who use social networking sites are looking for information that supports their qualifications for the job (61 percent), if the candidate has a professional online persona (50 percent), what other people are posting about the candidates (37 percent) and for a reason not to hire a candidate (24 percent).

Employers aren’t just looking at social media – 69 percent are using online search engines such as Google, Yahoo and Bing to research candidates as well, compared to 59 percent last year.

Get that photo of you “resting” on a bar set to private right now!

Ponder Before You Post
Learn from those before you – more than half of employers (54 percent) have found content on social media that caused them not to hire a candidate for an open role. Of those who decided not to hire a candidate based on their social media profiles, the reasons included:

Candidate posted provocative or inappropriate photographs, videos or information: 39 percent
Candidate posted information about them drinking or using drugs: 38 percent
Candidate had discriminatory comments related to race, gender, religion: 32 percent
Candidate bad-mouthed their previous company or fellow employee: 30 percent
Candidate lied about qualifications: 27 percent
Candidate had poor communication skills: 27 percent
Candidate was linked to criminal behaviour: 26 percent
Candidate shared confidential information from previous employers: 23 percent
Candidate’s screen name was unprofessional: 22 percent
Candidate lied about an absence: 17 percent
Candidate posted too frequently: 17 percent

Your online persona doesn’t just have the potential to get you in trouble. Cultivating your presence online can also lead to reward. More than 4 in 10 employers (44 percent) have found content on a social networking site that caused them to hire the candidate. Among the primary reasons employers hired a candidate based on their social media profiles were candidate’s background information supported their professional qualifications (38 percent), great communication skills (37 percent), a professional image (36 percent), and creativity (35 percent).

Don’t Delete, Instead Police
Debating removing your social media profiles while job searching? Think twice before you hit delete. Fifty-seven percent of employers are less likely to call someone in for an interview if they can’t find a job candidate online. Of that group, 36 percent like to gather more information before calling in a candidate for an interview, and 25 percent expect candidates to have an online presence.

Got the Job? Stay Vigilant
Just because you got the job doesn’t mean you can disregard what you post online. More than half of employers (51 percent) use social media sites to research current employees. Thirty-four percent of employers have found content online that caused them to reprimand or fire an employee.

This survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Poll on behalf of CareerBuilder among 2,380 hiring and human resource managers (employed full-time, not self-employed, non-government) between February 16 and March 9, 2017.

In News

30 jobs in the PR and marketing world

December 14, 2016 No Comments

By Clare Lane.

To succeed as a content marketer in today’s demanding communications climate, pros must have a hybrid skillset.

According to research from Fractl, nearly half of the content marketing jobs on Indeed.com call for both technical and creative skills. To find success, an ideal marketer should be both a technician and an artist.

Here’s how those traits can set you apart from your competitors:

Creativity and ingenuity

More and more, employers want employees with creative flair.

From Fractl:

Creative skills differ from practical, technical skills because they’re less tangible and more conceptual. Our study ranks the top five creative skills as writing, marketing strategy, content strategy, thought leadership, and brand development. Such skills are best learned through hands-on training, often acquired through experience; however, marketers can also learn from authoritative industry resources.

Technological knowhow

Although many emerging marketers regularly use technology, Fractl data say they lack relevant technical skills.

FREE GUIDE:10 ways to improve your writing today. Download now.

Even if you have minimal experience with Google Analytics, recruiters advise mentioning that in an interview or presenting it prominently on your résumé.

Here are a few other in-demand tech skills:

Our study ranks SEO, HTML, Google Analytics, CSS, and programming as the most common technical skills that today’s content marketers need to master.

Consider yourself a tech guru or creative leader? Santa Clara, California-based Apple is seeking acontent marketing manager to write and produce various types of downloadable content. Applicants should understand how to build and manage a rich content calendar that can attract a qualified audience to Apple blog posts, white papers, reports, webinars, videos and infographics.

Not the job for you? See what else we have in our weekly professional pickings:

Content marketing specialist— Plated (New York)

Website coordinator/digital engagement— Feeding America (Illinois)

Advertising copywriter— Coral Gables Advertising Agency (Florida)

Corporate media manager— Lynn Hazan and Associates (New York)

Communications associate— Google (California)

Freelance online editor— The Education and Training Foundation (United Kingdom)

Content producer— Northwestern University (Illinois)

Senior marketing specialist— Milestone Systems (Oregon)

SEO writer—On Target Media (Nevada)

Marketing manager— Greencheck Group (Wisconsin)

Public relations coordinator— Viacom (New York)