Networking works

Over time you have built a very effective personal network and know you may wonder if you should use it to help you find work in your retirement. I think so, it means all the people you know, can help you achieve whatever goals you have set for yourself.

Increase your effectiveness in locating job opportunities by putting a team to work on your behalf.

Several pairs of eyes and ears will generate more job chances in a short time than you can think of alone. So it makes sense to set your own information network. This network, or grapevine, will have access to information you cannot get by yourself.

First, get rid of the notion that looking for work when you are retired is a no no. Approach people for their help, if they are your friends they will help you—this is a good way of weeding out your friends from those that are not your friends.

Maximize your network by starting from scratch to build your personal job network.

List friends, relatives, neighbours and business acquaintances that can help you find out about openings for your kind of work. These contacts will form the basic information network

• Keep in mind that you are going to ask them for information. You do not need to plead for a job or beg for sympathy. Further, you are not going to ask that your friends recommend you for the job. Let them think of this, themselves. What you want at present are leads 
• Decide exactly what kind or work you are seeking. After all, it would be absurd to ask others to help you find your kind of job when you don't even know what that job looks like. Write a description of the work you want to do.
• Prepare a short list of your own skills and accomplishments that tell what you can do. This list will also help your network to consider related jobs you could do as well
• Send a brief, friendly email to each person on your contact list. State simply that you are in the process of looking for an opportunity for some part time or full time work and you would appreciate learning of any suitable openings that come to his or her attention. With the email, send an attachment with a description of the kind of work you are seeking and summary of your qualifications. (Remember your friends know you but they may not know all of your qualifications)
• Offer to check back in a week or two. Thank them for any help
• Once the ideas begin coming in, email each contact a short note of appreciation or better yet contact them by telephone. Let people know that their efforts have been encouraging