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"This little gem of a book offers sage advice..." 
 -- Fred Brock, The New York Times

Retirement Career Center

The 28 Principles of Attraction
Thomas Leonard

 The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Stephen R. Covey

 The E-Myth Seminar
Michael Gerber

 

 You, Inc.
Terri Lonier, Gail Blanke, William Bridges, Guy Kawasaki, Daniel Pink

Retirement Jobs

Excuse me?  OK, consider this oxymoron a placeholder for something yet to be named.  What we are describing is thousands of people in their 50s, 60s, and older, ending one career and starting another one, preferably one closer to their hearts.  "We spend the first half of our lives learning what we love," says poet and business consultant, David Whyte, "we should find a way to do those things the second half." 

We're not talking here about the bridge job, something to tide you over until your pension benefits and Medicare kick in.  Nothing wrong with that, in fact, check out our links for sites that can help you.  What we're talking about feel more like a calling, something you feel passionate about; dream about; would love doing. Note: assessments tools that show you your strengths may not prove all that helpful.  Maybe you are reading this and thinking: hey, I know what I really, really want.  If so, go forth and multiply.  But if not, here are a few tips to get back in touch. 

• Revisit your childhood by opening up the family album and looking at yourself at various ages.  Who did you like to hang with?  Who was your favorite teacher and why?  What did you love doing so much you'd have paid to do it?
   

• Make an inventory of your assets: natural talents, acquired skills, and so-called intangible qualities, like your optimism, resilience or sense of humor. Be bold. Include things that you might not necessarily share in a job interview or application for a business loan.
   

• Get a friend to do the asset inventory for you, if you blush at the thought.  Or ask them to write a letter to you, naming your strengths. Practice a little affirmative action on yourself by posting these in plain sight.     
   

• Consider an apprenticeship or internship in a career that appeals to you.  Many professionals, e.g. photographers, artists, chefs, can use an assistant in exchange for showing you the ropes.  
   

• Got a free weekend?  How about giving your dream job a test drive with Vocation Vacations, www.vocationvacations.com
   

• Sign up for a 2young2retire course forming around the country now.  Teleseminars, too. 

More useful resources for you (isn't the Internet great?).  

Career Journal, from the Wall Street Journal

• Excellent archive of articles when you're contemplating your next career. 

• What does it take to make a change?  A counselor offers some tips.

• Sound advice from one who successfully made a career shift.

• Making a living/ making a difference. It is possible. 

Top 10 careers for the 60+ from US News and World Report.

Help from peers.  Check out your local chapter of Forty-Plus, "the Nation’s oldest and most successful non-profit organization dedicated to helping currently available managers, executives and other professionals over 40 years of age find jobs."   Google 'em!

Freelance or project work more your style?  Guru.com is one of our favorites career sites.  Terrific information and lively writing. Offers a free email newsletter and a chance for instant celebrity with its haiku contest.  You "indies" out there, also check out, www.workingsolo.com, Terry Lonier's great site.

Coaching/Mentoring

Life experience combined with coaching technology may be what you need to launch your career as a personal coach.   Corporate coaching is one of the hottest new careers, with six figure incomes possible. Or you may want to hire a coach or (for women of a certain age) hire a mentor.

Consulting  

Thinking of translating your work experience, contacts and resources into a consulting career?  Here's one way in, an internship.  

Temporary Adventure Jobs

Tired of the same old same old?  Short-term adventure jobs get you out of the rut.  You get to test the waters, travel and sample some alternate lifestyles . . . and sometimes get paid to do it.   Internships, seasonal jobs, volunteer vacations, working abroad.  Check out Back Door Jobs. 

Become an entrepreneur about you.  Isn't it about time?

Recommended Books to Get You Going

Best Home Businesses for People 50+ (Tarcher, 2004) Paul and Sarah Edwards.  Also Home Based Businesses for Dummies (For Dummies, 2000)

Free Agent Nation: The Future of Working for Yourself (Warner Books, May 2001), Daniel H. Pink. 

It's Only Too Late If You Don't Start Now: How to Create Your Second Life at Any Age (Dell 1998), Barbara Sher.

The Back Door Guide to Short-Term Adventures (Ten Speed Press, Third Edition, September 2002), Michael Landes

Third Age: Six Principles for Personal Growth and Regeneration After 40 (Perseus Books 2001), William A. Sadler.

Too Young to Retire: 101 Ways to Start the Rest of Your Life (Plume 2004), Marika and Howard Stone

Unstoppable: 45 Powerful Stories of Perseverance and Triumph from People Just Like You (Sourcebooks, Inc. 1998) Cynthia Kersey.

What Do You Want to Do When You Grow Up: Starting the Next Chapter of Your Life (Little Brown & Company 2001), Dorothy Cantor with Andrea Thompson.

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It (Collins 1995), Michael Gerber

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07/19/2008