Retirement is something many people look forward to. John Goodhue, 85, of Peterborough retired 20 years ago. He remembers his very first day of retirment clearly: “I woke up and knew I’d made a mistake.”

He doesn’t paint or garden. He plays a little golf but doesn’t live to hit the greens every day.

“I like to feel useful,” he says.

With a strong need to get things done, Goodhue wasted no time finding a niche for himself. Though technically retired, he’s got a full schedule helping others find their own place in the world. Through his volunteer work at the Employment Resource Center at the River Center, he hopes to help those looking for work find a job that brings them the sense of community and pride of accomplishment that he enjoyed in his nearly 40-year career.

“When I was a young man, I thought it’d be wonderful to feed the starving of the world,” he said.

Based in New York City for 30 years while he worked in the ocean transportation industry, and then later as a civilian in the Navy’s Military Sea Transportation Command, Goodhue did help feed the world.

His ships delivered relief supplies for CARE, National Catholic World Council and many other humanitarian organizations.

During his career, Goodue traveled around the world three times.

“I traveled just enough that it was always fun,” he says.

After retirement, he and his wife, Charlotte, spent a semester at sea.

“It was 50 days at sea and 50 days on shore, with 600 college students. It was wonderful.”

The couple also enjoys walking and last spring logged 90 miles on their Keds in England.

“Walking keeps us young,” Goodhue says. Kari Lindstrom-Quiter founded the ERC in 2008 to fill a gaping hole. She and fellow employment specialist, Donna Brand, applaud all their volunteers, relying heavily on Goodhue, Sharon Bailly and Arnie Halpern for their workshops. She says the center could not function without Goodhue, who is a key volunteer at the Employment Resource Center. Goodhue plays the “guy in the suit” for mock interviews. Job seekers make an appointment and arrive for their interview with Mr.

Goodhue. He asks them questions and critiques their responses and overall presentation of themselves. He gives homework and may offer a follow-up interview if the person is serious about wanting to do better.

The guy in the suit also leads ERC workshops designed to help job seekers understand how to present themselves and set themselves up for success. He draws on his own experiences, which include three job searches and a stint as a job counselor in New York City. He also brings to the table a profound compassion for those looking for work.

“Losing a job is a terrible shock,” he says. “Having your family ask you every day if you found a job yet; that can get very depressing.”

Goodhue insists the best thing you can do when you lose your job is stop.

“This isn’t a panic party. Don’t just run out at the first job you hear about and present yourself. Get organized first,” because looking for a job is a job in itself.

His advice: Figure out some things first. Were you happy at your last job? Do you want to do something completely different? Do you need to brush up on computer skills or get other training? People often don’t get a job because they don’t come off well; they blow the interview. The Employment Resource Center provides services designed to help people avoid those disasters. There are workshops that focus on resume writing, computer skills and interviewing.

“Don’t try to do it on your own,” Goodhue says. “Working with an employment program, you’ll be with people who are in the same boat as you. You’ll be surrounded by others who understand what you’re going through. Their support will help get you through the bad days.”

After you’ve done the necessary preparation and lined up an interview, be smart.

Goodhue stresses that “much about being a good employee is the basic dumb stuff.” Be on time. Practice getting to your interview so you know exactly how long it takes.

Dress appropriately. “Don’t dress like a go-go dancer for an interview at the bank.” Say your name clearly when you introduce yourself. You have to get your name across, so you’re not just one in a crowd.

Don’t go in asking what the company can do for you. You need to sell yourself. Tell them what you can do for them. Why should they choose you?

Presentation is at the heart of everything Goodhue teaches his job seekers. He hopes that the people he works with aren’t just polishing themselves for the interview.

It’s not enough to be the right person for a 45-minute interview.

“You need to present yourself well all the time. To your friends and to their friends. To your coworkers and to your family,” Goodhue says. In a nutshell, if your friends wouldn’t hire you, why should anyone?

On another note, “Don’t get all depressed when you hear ‘No,’” Goodhue says. “Keep at it. ‘No’ means ‘not ‘Yes yet.’” Those are the words of a longago mentor, and Goodhue has never forgotten them. If you hear “No,” don’t disappear. Check back and see if there’s another opportunity there for you.

Goodhue also volunteers with STRIVE, a nonprofit in Boston. He helps inner-city residents put their best feet forward as they look for a downtown job. Each employment program runs five weeks. Classes are in the morning; afternoons are spent looking for jobs. Mock interviews are part of Goodhue’s role there as well.

On Fridays Goodhue meets with inmates at Cheshire County jail in Keene. He had hoped to work on employment skills, but there’s no venue for that right now. He’d like to see a STRIVE program established locally. In lieu of direct employment coaching, he tutors men who are preparing for their GED test.

Goodhue likes his work at the prison, but wishes he could help the men more.

“They’re really nice men. I worry how they’ll find work when they get out.”

He knows work creates value in our lives. And he volunteers his time so others might feel productive and valued and happy again.

Annie Card, owner of Annie Card Creative Services, helps small businesses and nonprofits get noticed. Her creative team develops websites, brochures and publicity campaigns. Card is cofounder of NHBusinessBlog.com, a recently launched group blog that helps businesses optimize social media. Tell Annie about the volunteers making a difference in your town by sending her e-mail. Send it to annie@anniecard.com or contact her at ww.anniecard.com.