Nguyen Thi Hien advises an average of 10 older job seekers each month at the Hanoi Employment Service Center. In recent years, this number has steadily increased as the trend of working past retirement age becomes more common. Older individuals, being cautious and less accustomed to online job searches or phone calls, often visit the center in person for detailed consultations.

Each person works after retirement for different reasons: some need income, while others long for a social environment, seeking to stay active and avoid isolation at home. Last week, during a recent consultation, Hien met a university foreign language lecturer over 60 years old. Not driven by economic pressure, he simply wanted to work as a collaborator to utilize his English skills, fearing that prolonged retirement would lead to memory decline.

Hien, an employee at the Hanoi Employment Service Center, during her shift. *Photo: Hong Chieu*

However, most of Hien’s clients are women around 60 years old. Despite receiving retirement benefits, they often still bear family responsibilities for their children and grandchildren. They typically seek manual jobs like cleaning or hourly domestic work, which allows them to finish work and return home to care for their families, taking weekends off to spend time with grandchildren.

With 17 years of experience, the counselor is confident in her ability to assess job seekers’ profiles. Beyond experience and expertise, she prioritizes recommending workplaces close to home, with intensity suitable for each individual’s health and preferences. Consequently, consultations for older individuals are often longer than for other labor groups. “Many have decades of experience but sometimes feel insecure, thinking they have fallen behind after a few years of retirement,” she shared, adding that she updates them on labor market information before they return to work. Often, the consultation desk becomes a place where Hien listens to clients express concerns about family matters and the prejudices they face from family members when working after retirement. Her connection with many individuals continues after they find jobs, through messages checking in or requests for further advice when considering new employment.

“In the coming years, the number of older job seekers may increase as the population ages rapidly,” the counselor noted. However, their opportunities are currently largely concentrated in simple or hourly jobs. During the first job fair for older individuals in late June, the Hanoi Employment Service Center reported approximately 250 recruitment positions. Most were for roles such as: security personnel, guards, customer service and consulting staff, cooks, kitchen assistants, general staff, sanitation workers, handicraft production, hourly domestic help, and other part-time roles. Of these positions: 67% were for general laborers, 12% for mid-level technical workers, and the remaining 21% for college and university graduates.

Salaries below 7 million VND per month accounted for the largest share, with about 40% concentrated in simple jobs. Salaries between 7-10 million VND made up 30% of total recruitment targets, typically for sales, security, and kitchen staff positions. Experienced security and consulting staff earned an average of 10-15 million VND, representing 15% of positions. Salaries of 15 million VND or more accounted for 5%, primarily for roles requiring specialized skills and extensive experience. The center is developing a dedicated job portal for older individuals, integrated into the city's employment information portal.

Nguyen Viet Quan, head of recruitment at Anh Minh Group, stated that demand for older workers persists. About 10% of the company’s recruitment positions are for workers aged 55-65, primarily for security, general staff, or kitchen assistant roles, provided they are in good health. Incomes range from 7-8 million VND, with allowances and bonuses depending on business performance. These positions are often filled through internal referrals, with few coming from online or other channels.

Older individuals receiving job search advice. *Photo: Hong Chieu*

Hong Nhung, a consultant for an hourly domestic service company, advises clients and livestreams to highlight job benefits, attracting applicants. “The requirements are very simple: candidates only need their own transportation and smartphone proficiency,” she explained, adding that a basic one-day training and skill assessment are provided before starting work.

The company accepts applicants aged 18-55 for hourly home cleaning positions. Individuals around 60 years old are better suited for cleaning English language centers—a job considered “less strenuous” but with longer working hours. Social insurance benefits are by mutual agreement for those working 8 hours or more, as the company functions “solely as a service provider.” According to the consultant, daily work is divided into three four-hour shifts, with workers choosing their preferred schedule. Hourly wages range from 60,000-100,000 VND on weekdays, increasing by about 30% on weekends and 2-2,5 times on holidays. Towards year-end, there is "more work than can be handled." Average monthly income per shift is 6-8 million VND, representing the actual amount cleaners receive. Clients pay the brokerage fee directly to the company.

Hong Chieu