Bored retiree seeks suggestions for keeping busy
DEAR J.T. & DALE: I retired three years ago after teaching English in China for eight years. Before then, I had seven years semi-retired, piddling about. Before that, I had 28 years in IT, working up from operator/programmer to senior management (which I didn’t like). I am bored stiff and need a challenge. I’d take any decent job ... even admin ... but not teaching. I would teach in China, but my age now prevents it, and Western students are too ill-disciplined to be worth the bother. So, ideas? — Roger
Dale: Adding up your recent adventures, you’ve been out of the job market here in the U.S. for nearly two decades. That’s a long time in any career, but especially IT, where it’s even faster than dog years — call it mosquito years. So you would be starting over, which has its charms, although you’d work with a somewhat older version of those students you didn’t want to teach. What to do instead? There is a new class of employee emerging, the Senior Junior. What I mean by that is a job where you use your connections and experience to help an executive. You reconnect with as many of your former colleagues as possible, looking for ways you could be of help. You end up working on specific projects, perhaps ones where your knowledge of China would be helpful. You then could work at a high level without being a high-level employee — thus, a Senior Junior.
J.T.: Or, here’s another approach. Given that you’ve been retired and didn’t mention financial issues, I’m going to assume that you have the income you need. If so, I’m curious why you feel your next adventure needs to be a job. Why not focus on learning something entirely new? Maybe go back to school for something non-techrelated. Or consider volunteering. There are a lot of organizations that could use your talents. The reality is, with the younger generations moving into the mainstream workforce, it’s tough for someone as seasoned as you to compete for jobs with people who are younger and less expensive. I’d enjoy retirement and the freedom it provides you to explore non-paying options.
Dear J.T. & Dale: I have the chance to go on the trip of a lifetime. It’s three weeks in Greece. My friend’s parents
sold their company and told each of their kids that they could bring someone. The problem is, I just started a new job six months ago. They offer only two weeks of vacation each year, and I have earned just one. How can I persuade them? — Mandy
J.T.: I would get all the specifics around the trip first and then set a meeting with your boss. Perhaps you can go for only two weeks instead of the full three. Either way, I would explain the situation to your manager and ask what are the chances you can take the time off unpaid. Many employers understand when unique situations like this occur. Also, offer to work extra both before and after to help take the burden off your coworkers. Showing that you’ll do whatever it takes is important.
Dale: Yes, I would mention unpaid leave early in the conversation, perhaps joking about saving the company some money. Then you’ll lay out exactly how the work will get done. All that will lead to this, the most likely outcome: You’ll put together a compelling argument, one so tight you’ll be convinced it’ll be an easy “yes” for your management. And, odds are, they’ll say “no.” Why? Because of that nasty old “We don’t want to set a precedent.” You then can point out that not many people can afford to take unpaid time, or that not many are willing to do all the extra work before and after; but prepare yourself to be big about being turned down. Even if you decide you’d rather quit the job than miss the trip, you want to stay employed till it’s time to go, so you’ll need to be extra perky; otherwise, you might be seen as having let disappointment drag down your contribution. Jeanine “J.T.” Tanner O’Donnell is a professional development specialist and the founder of the consulting firm jtodonnell. Dale Dauten resolves employment and other business disputes as a mediator with AgreementHouse.com. Please visit them at jtanddale. com, where you can send questions via email, or write to them in care of King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St., 15th Floor, New York, NY 10019.