Midlife Career Change

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Maybe you have already retired, but now need a full time job because the recession has devastated your retirement savings.

AARP estimates that more than 2 million workers over the age of 55 are unemployed...and those are the ones they can count. There are a lot of people determined to see this alarming trend reversed.

Outlined below are 9 excellent resources to give you some fresh new approaches to your midlife career change.

In addition to the free resources below, I've recently published a popular book, specifically written to help struggling job seekers and the long term unemployed.

Read the introductory chapter and table of contents along with my video message as to what makes my book different from any other job search book:

Why Don't They Call Me?-Job Search Wisdom to Get you Unstuck.

It would also be helpful to all of us if you would be willing to share your own midlife career struggles...and private victories...in the space provided at the bottom of this page.

So after you've absorbed the ideas outlined below, please post your comments in the space below. I would love to hear from you, and I answer all my emails.

What have you got to lose? You've tried everything else.

Also, if you can help someone else out by sharing any positive information, resources, or testimonials about making a midlife career change...or even finding a job after retirement...please share with all of us.

In the meantime, I'll use my expertise in employment to network with hiring authorities and do my own research to see what other solutions I can come up with.

How up to date are your job interview skills? Take this short quiz to find out.

To kick things off, here are some resources I recently came across that have great potential for people late in their careers or semi-retired. I'll continue to dig to find more good stuff, but I really need your help, too.

Midlife Career Change Ideas and Resources:

1. Job search checklist for long term unemployed and people late in their careers - in one of my recent monthly newsletters I share with you 5 of the best ways I know to end the drought of long term unemployment. This is a must read if you've been out of work for 6 months or longer.
2. Temp-to-Perm Jobs - discover the real secret to working with Temp Agencies...and believe it or not...temp jobs are not just for low paying clerk type positions. I know of numerous professionals working on long term contract assignments earning over $75,000 a year. This is well worth your time and effort to check out.
3. Social Networking for Job Seekers - Are you in step with the times? If employers can find you on Linked In, Facebook, and Twitter...the answer is yes. Find out why social networking works and learn how to use each SN site to your advantage.
4. Start your own web business centered around your special knowledge...or even a hobby you're passionate about -

   SiteBuildIt (SBI) is a remarkable company. They teach you how to convert your hobby, business expertise, or other special knowledge into a profitable web business. SBI is who I use to host my website, and they have helped me immeasurably with my own midlife career change.

   SBI is not only ethical and honest, but they way OVER-deliver.

   They have a very active forum of SBI owners who willingly share ideas and valuable insights. As of this writing (September 2011), SBI only charges $300 a year to help you build and host your site. Recently, they also began accepting monthly payments.

   I have no idea how they can charge so little for all they provide...but SBI is rock solid and you can definitely trust them.

   So if you have entrepreneurial urges and are tired of the corporate rat race, this could be an excellent midlife career change for you.

   In March 2011, AARP wrote an article about a retired couple who travel in their motor home full time. They own an SBI website to supplement their income and easily manage their web business from the road.

   Here is a blog post from an SBI owner who worked on his running tips website very part time for 5 years. His monthly income is almost to the point where he can resign from his full time job. He's counting the days at this point!

   For the story of my journey to SBI and what I expect to earn from it, go to my page, How My Site Makes Money.

   Maybe the reason you can't find a job is because your destiny is calling you. Are you listening?

   Below are two short video testimonials (2 minutes each) from successful SBI owners.

5. Jobs Abroad - Have you ever thought about working overseas? This could be an extraordinary midlife career change.

   Our world is becoming a smaller place, and international travel is pretty painless and affordable these days. Sometimes you can take advantage of lucrative tax breaks which may allow you to rebuild your nest-egg faster.

   Look at your job abroad as a temporary assignment, mission, or adventure. You won't have to surrender your citizenship or work in a remote village on the tundra of Greenland.

   This might be an experience of a lifetime and expose you to all kinds of other job opportunities since every company on the planet wants to compete globally.

   You could even learn a foreign language.

6. Teach English - Here is a website about a Canadian who teaches English in Japan. He shares all kinds of information about how to pursue this line of work. Excellent down home site with lots of quality insights and ideas.


7. Enjoy Retirement Jobs - This site will give you lots of ideas, outbound links, and advice about job opportunities and self-employment for older workers and retirees. The author is a semi-retired engineer and has a common sense approach.
8. Retirement Stories - This site provides inspirational stories and essential information for planning and living an active retirement that’s right for you. Many folks choose to work well into retirement...but on their terms and schedule. In the words of Henry van Dyke: I shall grow old, but never lose life's zest, Because the road's last turn will be the best.
9. Smart Passive Income - this is an incredible website developed by Pat Flynn. Pat was laid off in 2008, and started earning his daily bread on the internet. Pat is very transparent and for the past 2 years has earned over $100,000 a year from various online projects. He provides tons of free information about how he does it and has a wonderful blog including videos and podcasts. Lots of potential here if you think you'd like to try your own gig. His site is easy to navigate a good source of ideas for your midlife career change.
10. Becoming a Teacher - Betsy Weigle is an elementary school teacher. She created a website to help job seekers pursue a career in education. Lots of good ideas and resources here including special needs jobs.

Please...share your experience and wisdom with us. Help lift someone else's burden.

If you know someone who endured a lengthy stretch of unemployment, but was finally able to pull off a successful midlife career change, direct them to this site to share their experience.

We could all use some hope and inspiration.

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