No Limit Over 50: What To Do When You’ve Been Let Go, Replaced, Displaced, Or Just Want Something Different From Life

Finding Employment, Changing Careers, Implementing a Side Hustle, or Following Your Dream When You’re Older.

Is it time for a change? Have you been in the same job, company, or industry for years? It may have been a perfect fit for you when you started, but things have changed—in business, in society, and you. You’re a Boomer or Gen Xer. And, now you feel it’s time for a change, and you want to pursue something different. Does this sound like you?

Then this book is for you.

Or maybe you’ve been replaced, laid off, or even fired. During the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many employees became victims of layoffs when their employers had to pause or shut down their businesses. If that’s what happened to you, then this book is for you.

Perhaps you’re feeling the squeeze. You can detect a change in the climate, and you’re concerned you may be forced to leave the job you’ve had for a long time. If you find yourself in this situation, this book is for you.

Or maybe you’re on the cusp of retirement but perhaps not financially or emotionally able to retire. In that case, this book is for you, too.

It’s probably been a long time since you looked for a job, and you know things have changed. For example, where do you even find jobs today? If you’re a Boomer or Gen Xer, you probably
remember seeing job listings in newspapers' classified ads section. That is not where you’ll find them anymore. You also may not have created or updated your resume in years. In addition, technology has replaced personal connections at many levels of job search and function. Online interviewing using video apps was common before COVID-19, but now it’s standard for initial screening. You may lack the technical expertise to use it. Then there is the entire world of social media that prospective employers will use to check you out. Will they find you? What might they see when they do a Google search for your name?

Changing jobs or careers over 50 sounds daunting when you drill down and start lining up all the elements that need to be in place to be successful, but it isn’t – if you have a plan and stick to it.

As older people, we often feel passed over. Potential employers may not want us because we’re too close to retirement age, don’t have the energy of our younger counterparts, or simply aren’t up on the latest changes in business culture and technology. The world of work has changed a lot since we first entered the workforce, and we’re not sure if it’s still a place where we can set new goals and succeed. If we’re honest with ourselves, we’re probably more than a little bit frustrated.

When we began our careers, people generally considered 65 to be our retirement age. Now that we’re that age, many of us wonder whose bright idea that was! In 1965, the Social Security Administration estimated men’s life expectancy after retirement at 75.7 years. (For women, the estimate was 80.9 years.) Today we can expect to spend several decades before we shed our mortal coil. Plenty of time to still have an impact; plenty of time to contribute.

Many of us are not in a financial position to retire, and even if we’re financially secure, we might not be ready to step out of the game. Work not only defined our careers but may have formed our identities and the basis of our social lives. It made us feel valuable and productive. We were good at what we did. How do we start all over again now?

Our goal with this book is to guide you through the steps that will take you to your next job, whether it’s a traditional one working for someone else, one that you’ve created for yourself as a side hustle, or something in between that provides you with the flexibility to work when you want to work.

With over 45 years of business experience helping other companies grow through creative sales and marketing consulting solutions, Bob has solved problems and created opportunities for as many types of businesses as you can imagine.During the Vietnam War, Bob served in the US Navy. During part of his naval service, he was stationed onboard the USS Recovery (ARS 43), a rescue and salvage ship. Bob became one of a few enlisted personnel in the US Navy to earn and be assigned as Underway Officer of The Deck. As a photojournalist and professional photographer during the late '60s and early '70s, his peers and clients recognized Bob as an outstanding talent, leading to a national photography achievement award from Eastman Kodak. In addition, his fellows in Professional Photographers of America consistently acknowledged him for his outstanding work. A talent for creating marketing campaigns led to him becoming more involved in sales and marketing. His first position with a company other than his own was in sales for 3M Company. In 1980, he was recognized by 3M and awarded their highest sales honor and was their guest at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. With a desire to share his passion for business with others, he has conducted over 150 sales, marketing, and technology seminars and workshops for a wide variety of companies, associations, and individuals in the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia, and Asia. In addition, as a member of the National Speakers Association, he was one of the International Center for Professional Speaking founders in Tempe, AZ. He has enjoyed traveling for business and pleasure to over 35 countries and six continents. Companies and individuals use his sales consulting program, "Listen First - Sell Later"®, to implement a highly successful approach to selling both products and services. He is the author of three previous books, and his work has also appeared in many newspapers, magazines, and trade journals. In addition, his website https://bobpoole.com/ has a combination of almost 1,000 free blog posts and podcast episodes. At 72 years old, he is creating follow-up products and services to enhance the Listen First - Sell Later sales program. He firmly believes that "age is a state of mind."

Steve Dotto is Canada's favorite geek. For over 20 years, as host and executive producer of Dotto Tech, a nationally syndicated TV show, Steve entertained and educated millions of Canadians on all aspects of technology. After spending 20 years in traditional broadcast, Steve re-invented himself learning the world of social media, online community building and Internet Marketing as he built his YouTube channel into his new career. His passion is teaching Baby Boomers and Gen X how to remain relevant in the digital age, how we can re-invent ourselves and grow side hustles into successful online businesses. He has a gift for making complex concepts easy to understand. Steve takes the world of technology and makes it relevant in your life. A background in theatre and comedy, including a short stint with the famed comedy troupe, Second City, provides for a unique and often humorous perspective on the works of technology. YouTube is Steve's new network of choice. He serves two communities, a traditional "How To and Productivity" stream, which follows his TV tradition, and a new focus on learning the keys to growing and ultimately monetizing a Social Network, specifically, a YouTube channel. Learn more about Steve at https://dottotech.com/

Jana Rade is an award-winning book cover designer, editorial/book/e-book/publication/layout specialist, and desktop publisher with over 20 years of experience working with publishers, companies, and self-publishing authors. As a published author herself, she has a unique insight into the author aspect of getting a book published and printed.