Yesterday I had a long conversation with an individual conducting research on the job prospects for "mature" workers, which is code for people over 50. We covered a lot of territory and I thought that a few of the key points were worthy of a post on LifeTwo. »more»

On average it takes 17.5 weeks to find a job, say experts. Does that mean you can take it easy for the first 16 and then pick it up? Of course not, in fact the key to navigating unemployment is to keep moving. The LA Times listed a week-by-week to-do list for job seekers:

Week 1: »more»

Despite legislation prohibiting it, age is a common factor in hiring decisions. This is especially true for older workers who must combat a number of negative stereotypes, specifically that they are less energetic, enthusiastic and creative. Recruiting managers have confirmed that companies often will note that they would prefer a younger candidate. »more»

One of my lifelong interests has been the relationship between work and a vocation, or a calling. The idea of a calling has traditionally been understood in purely religious terms, as in somebody being called to serve a higher power or a higher purpose.

But we are all called to do something in our lives. To the extent that we are spiritual beings, we are called to accomplish something that goes beyond the needs and requirements of our ego and personality. And in that sense, while the way in which we express our calling does not at all have to be religious, there is no denying that following one's calling is part and parcel of our spiritual evolution. »more»

Life is too short to spend in an unsatisfying job. However by middle age, career transitions are risky and expensive. The last thing you want to do is to go through a gut wrenching experience moving into a new career only to find that it wasn't what you expected. But how do you know what a new career will be like before you actually do it? »more»

Other women who've been working since they were twenty will now have retirement income. Not me. I stayed home. I got the joy of watching every step of my children's infancy and childhood. Now I'm stuck with just me.

As I make my way out into the sunshine, I sure would love to hear what other people have to say about being "just a homemaker" and what happens next.

If you are asked to picture an entrepreneur, a tech-savvy male in his late twenties might be the image that comes to mind. While there is no shortage of high-tech start-ups by young male engineers, this is hardly the only type of entrepreneur. In fact, according to a story in the BBC, an increasing number of over-50s are starting their own businesses and many of these are women. »more»

Being laid off in middle age can subtract as much as two years from your life. »more»

Traditional economic theory tells us that the larger the reward for a particular action the greater your motivation. In other words you judge the value of the monetary rewards of your workplace based 100% on the absolute size of what you get. But observations have shown that the relative amount of one's reward is as important if not more important than the absolute amount. »more»

No one likes long commutes. The answer for some lucky employees has been working out a telecommuting arrangement with their employer. However there has been lingering questions how well these really work. »more»

Most of us like to think that a mutually agreed upon divorce or simple job lay off is not shameful. But something in our culture and deep within our own psyche begs to differ. I found my own divorce to feel quite shameful. What I say now is that any divorce, no matter how mutally desired, traumatizes the people involved and feels like a failure on some level. »more»

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that 43% of the U.S. labor force will become eligible to retire between 2004 and 2012. This means two primary things for middle aged workers. »more»

Marci Alboher is a columnist, blogger, and author of "One Person Multiple Careers." Alboher has a new take on using multiple career roles to improve everything from meaning of life to work-life balance. She advocates the adoption of "slash" careers (as she herself is a columnist/blogger/author) to "integrate and fully express the multiple passions, talents, and interests that a single career often cannot accommodate--leading to a greater sense of fullfillment." »more»

Most people know that the ethic of reciprocity or "The Golden Rule" to mean to "treat others as you would like to be treated." It is a fundamental moral principle of most religions and, according to Wikipedia, arguably the most essential basis for the modern concept of human rights. It also turns out to be a killer business networking tool. »more»

This is the seventh and final column in our series of seven that look at the macro trends to consider when making a midlife career change. Energy is the one of the single greatest problems and perhaps one of the single greatest opportunities in the world today. »more»