Midlife Career Change

Are you being forced to make a midlife career change because you are out of a job, but too young to retire?

Maybe you are already retired, but now need a full time job because your 401k was wrecked by the idiots who promised to manage it.

AARP estimates that more than 2 million workers over the age of 55 are unemployed (May 2010). And, those are the ones they can count.

Perhaps you see yourself in this sobering video of older workers in crisis.





You are not alone, my friend.

And, there are a lot of people who do care, and want to see this alarming trend reversed. So, the thought occurred to me, why don't we work together to help each other find meaningful ways to earn our daily bread?

By the way, I'm 59 years young and have no intentions of retiring anytime soon...nor will I tolerate listening to those who think it's time to put me out to pasture.

I'll probably die with my boots on.

Ok...here is my midlife career change idea:

Share with us your unemployment story. What have you done to find a job? What is your biggest fear? What upsets you the most about your job search situation?

I'll post your story on my site. Maybe me, or someone visiting this site, can give you a piece of advice that will turn the tide for you.

How?

Scroll down to the bottom of this page and post your comments in the space below. You can remain completely anonymous if you like.

I'll edit all comments to make sure we keep this real.

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

Also, we've all heard enough doom and gloom about age discrimination and no one wanting to hire we old duffers.

So, 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.

Between all of us, we should be able to share with each other some really powerful stuff. I'll add the true gems to this page, or publish them in my monthly newsletter, Job Brick Wall.

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.

The more eyes out there looking under rocks, the better for all of us.

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 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. 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.

4. 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.
5. 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.

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.

Have Comments About This Topic?

Do you have a great story or some insights about this? Please share.

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