Career Change Resources
Here are some career change resources to guide you along your path, whether you want to change careers, start your own business, navigate through a life transition, or discover more about yourself. A few of them are geared especially toward people over 50.
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Books and Websites
Self-Discovery and Exploration
- Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type, by Paul Tieger and Barbara Barron-Tieger
- StrengthsFinder 2.0, by Tom Rath
- Zen and the Art of Making a Living: A Practical Guide to Creative Career Design, by Laurence Boldt
- The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success, by Nicholas Lore
- Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live, by Martha Beck
Midlife Transitions
- Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes, by William Bridges
- LifeLaunch: A Passionate Guide to the Rest of Your Life, by Frederic M. Hudson and Pamela D. McLean
- Happiness After Midlife
- Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life: How to Finally, Really Grow Up, by James Hollis
- Callings: Finding and Following an Authentic Life, by Gregg Levoy
Getting Past Roadblocks and Obstacles
- The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron
- Feel the Fear... and Do it Anyway, by Susan Jeffers
- Embracing Your Inner Critic: Turning Self-Criticism into a Creative Asset, by Hal Stone and Sidra Stone
- The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life, by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander
- The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles, by Steven Pressfield
Self-Employment
- Small Business Administration
- SCORE
- National Association for the Self Employed
- Making a Living Without a Job, by Barbara Winter
- Home-Based Business for Dummies, by Paul Edwards, Sarah Edwards, and Peter Economy
Nonprofit and Encore Careers
- Encore Careers
- Experience Works
- Idealist Career Center
- Encore: Finding Work that Matters in the Second Half of Life, by Marc Freedman
- Idealist Guide to Nonprofit Careers for Sector Switchers, by Steven Joiner with Meg Busse
Job Search Websites for People Over 50
General Job Sites
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Information Network (O*NET)
- Job-Hunt.org
- The Riley Guide
- Quintessential Careers
Job Search Books
- Land the Job You Love! 10 Surefire Strategies for Jobseekers Over 50, by Mary Eileen Williams
- What Color is Your Parachute? 2012: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers, by Richard Bolles
- Knock 'em Dead 2011: The Ultimate Job Search Guide, by Martin Yate
- Career Distinction: Stand Out by Building Your Brand, by William Arruda and Kirsten Dixson
- Resume Magic, by Susan Britton Whitcomb
* Full disclosure - this list of career change resources contains books and websites that I have personally reviewed and found useful. I receive no compensation for links to any of the sites or books listed here.