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Change or Die: My Job Hunt

Career Success

Aug 9, 2012 by Jane Genova

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I’m an optimist.

That should explain why, around my 66^th birthday, I decided to look for a full-time job. It wasn’t that my consulting business was in the dumper. It was just that I decided it would be a good idea to have a regular paycheck, some benefits, people to be around, and learn new skills “on the company.”

According to Buddhist philosophy, adversity is a gift since in it we are presented with lessons we can’t ignore. That gift was a big one. Those employers inviting me for interviews probably hadn’t Googled me. Otherwise they would have known my age. Forget all that crap about “not looking your age.” The reality is that we are older. Employers don’t want older.

It was a shock to be knocked out of the box because I was old, which, of course, wasn’t my fault. But once I got over that I had to deal with the other reality that I better do much better in operating my communications boutique since that was it.

I sulked for a few weeks. Then I got it that, unlike my age, my business was something I could control. And control it I have. That control included controlling myself. That ranged from that chip on my shoulder shrinks first pointed to when I was 17 to my conviction that my talent merited premium fees.

It’s funny. My business blossomed. Come to think of it, so did my personal life.

A few months ago I celebrated my 67^th birthday. If things have gotten so good in only a year, I become giddy considering what I can create professionally and personally if only I keep changing those things I can, ignoring what I can’t and having the wisdom to know the difference.

About the Author

Jane Genova Has Written 24 Articles For Us!

I’m a coach, book author, and lecturer on careers, specializing in transitions. When I was 58, I restarted my professional life. That was in 2003. Since then I have I have muted into one of those renaissance folks who keeps multiple lines of work going. My latest book Over-50: How We Keep Working has helped thousands of people realize that exciting careers don’t depend on your age. I write four blogs: Jane Genova, Law and More, Career Transitions, Over-50.

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