Jameshow
Veteran
Got you: I turned 62 today, thinking similar to you.
On the by, a did a few years in Asda many moons ago, but I prefer catering to retail.
Twice already I thought I had my perfect "retirement job" in hospitality, both times it went to pots.
The first time in 2019, when a change of management meant new management actively annoyed those old school (I had been in that job for 12 years) but meantime I had found a great job in a local cafe, training young ones with learning challenges.
That went to pots with lockdown, I was made redundant at 58.
Both those jobs were quite physical but could have been scaled down.
Trying to find a job at 58 in the catering industry was difficult: nowadays you need to do an online attitude test, I mostly failed them, even though I was (am) fully trained on the big chains coffee shops.
Same for retail, for years, alongside my main job, I had a wee 4 hours a week job with the CO-OP as community engagement officer.
When I went to do their attitude test for shop floor staff vacancies I failed!
The only employers that still wanted a cv were small independents, I wasn't getting any interviews.
So I changed emails, lied on my CV so that it looked like I was in my 20's, bang, got interviews but of course no job, too old.
Anyhow, I did apply for a gazillion jobs, did a brief stint working from home for a call centre between lockdowns, hated every minute of it, office work is just not me, which I new anyway.
Months after applying, the NHS offered me an interview for a cleaning job, I had forgotten I applied.
I got the job, I was lucky at my age.
I remember they did not want a CV, it was their online form you had to fill.
Most forms I needed to fill only wanted to know about your last 3 years employment.
If a CV is needed, as said previously, keep it short.
For what you are planning, I suggest 2 pathways:
1) the third sector: manager of a charity shop, a food bank, some paid position in a non profit retail.
If the salary is not enough, supplement with back shifts in your present job or similar till you are ready to scale down.
2) Civil service jobs: anything to do with tax office, job centre, other government jobs.
They don't discriminate on age, I personally know 2 folks my age that have been recently employed in the civil service. Some of those positions, as incentive, put £5,000 extra a year in your pension pot.
The online forms are abysmally long winded, but it's worth giving it a bash.
Expect to wait months for feedback
I would not wast my time applying for other positions in retail, I know managers humph cages in Aldi/Asda/Tesco, work long hours, no point.
Register and keep an eye on the NHS job site and on Indeed, surf daily, get job alerts.
I had a colleague doing cleaning backshift for years, because of family commitments, when family grew up she did a short admin course at college while still working, now she switched to an admin job in the same hospital - that was her retirement plan.
If a contract is offered for, say, only 20 hours a week, still go for it, the latest fashion is to offer small contracts but when you're in you can get overtime 24/7.
The benefits to work for the public sector when you're older are many: paid sick leave, more holidays, weekend/public holidays extra pay.
Imo, forget about a CV, start filling those online forms!
Good luck, if you need more info PM me.
Ah, forgot: my next "retirement job" plan is now to stay where I am for at least another year, because I'm earning good, it's still quite physical though.
I'm aiming to switch to the local health centre, walking distance, when I can't face cycling to work in all weathers at 7am anymore![]()
I'd look at Waitrose/ booths both of which value life experience and are age positive.
Let the kids do the humping and work smart pick the ilse with the lighter cage... Medicines / cosmetics or wine corner or get promoted to customer service if you don't mind stressy customers.