Ageism

Now What Do I Do? Career-Transition Tools & Advice for 40+ Women

Posted by: Anti-Ageism Task Force

—SPEAK YOUR MIND—

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January 20, 2009—A new book about boomer-aged women and the workplace is making headlines and garnering great reviews. Now What Do I Do? The Woman's Guide to a New Career, by Jan Canon, Ph.D., offers advice to women seeking to reinvent themselves or re-enter the workplace after the age of 40.

In the words of its publisher, Capital Books, Now What Do I Do? "provides a new way of looking at the self, jobs, and opportunities, because Cannon firmly believes that you are never too old to move in a new direction, and an entire career can be started, developed, and completed in the active years before Social Security or retirement benefits begin.

The Midwest Book Review calls it "essential", and JobFind.com says that it "packs a ton of advice, direction and common sense.". Other reviews from The Wall St. Journal, AARP Bulletin, and Publishers Weekly are unanimous in their opinion of the book's value to 40+ women.

We especially liked Kirkus Reports' synopsis, which clearly spells out the reasons women so often find themselves looking for a job, or a job change, at this critical stage in their lives:

"Many middle-aged women eventually feel that it’s time to do something new--maybe you’ve been the primary caregiver for kids who are now out of the house, or maybe you just feel ready for a vocational change. Career counselor Cannon’s book is the perfect companion on this journey....She is optimistic and encouraging, but not naïve--she recognizes the reality of age-discrimination, and also acknowledges that health problems or poor finances can be stumbling blocks for the job searcher. But this honesty is precisely the reason her book is so valuable."

Dr. Cannon encourages women to learn about themselves and to value their years of paid and unpaid experience. We couldn't agree more about the benefits of older women in the workforce. And, in the toughest job market the U.S. has seen in recent memory, this book could not have come out at a better time. We salute Dr. Cannon and offer our warmest congratulations on the success of her new book!

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Comments

ageism and internet job applications

By Unknown on Apr 13 2009 at 12:35 AM

Has anyone realized that companies have filtered the over 40 group out of the applicant pool simply by the dates on our resumes? One is required to insert dates of high school graduation and colleges in the online application forms.It's a simple task to eliminate all applicants above a certain age. For many companies it is impossible to submit an application any other way. Who is watching this ? There is no way of determining if you have been automatically disqualified based on age.

Excellent Point

By Anti-Ageism Task Force on Apr 19 2009 at 7:05 PM

An economics professor at Texas A&M University, Joanna Lahey, conducted a 2005 study in which she sent out 4,000 résumés on behalf of hypothetical job-seeking women ranging in age from 35 to 62 for entry-level jobs in Boston, Ma. and St. Petersburg, Fla. Dr. Lahey found that workers under 50, as indicated by their high school graduation date, were more than 40 percent more likely to be called for an interview.

One could leave such dates off, but then, doesn't age become conspicuous by its absence?

We'd love to hear other experiences/ideas on this topic!

Best,
Anti-Ageism Task Force

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