{"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T07:36:09+00:00","modifiedTime":"2016-03-26T07:36:09+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T17:50:46+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Business, Careers, & Money","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34224"},"slug":"business-careers-money","categoryId":34224},{"name":"Careers","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34256"},"slug":"careers","categoryId":34256},{"name":"Job Searches","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34264"},"slug":"job-searches","categoryId":34264}],"title":"Finding a Job after 50 by Pursuing Your Passion","strippedTitle":"finding a job after 50 by pursuing your passion","slug":"finding-a-job-after-50-by-pursuing-your-passion","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Copyright © 2015 AARP. All rights reserved. Finding your dream job after 50 would be terrific. “Pursue your passion” sounds like great advice until you pause to","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"<p>Copyright © 2015 AARP. All rights reserved.</p>\n<p>Finding your dream job after 50 would be terrific. “Pursue your passion” sounds like great advice until you pause to think about it and realize that you have no idea what your passion is or how to get started. Here are some suggestions to ease you into those first steps:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Find a place to start.</b> Make a list of what you want in the next phase of your career. Don’t look for a perfect path or ideal starting point. </p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Get things moving by taking small steps.</b> One small step may be calling someone who works in a field that appeals to you to discuss possibilities.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Silence your inner enemy. </b>Stop the negative self-talk. You got this.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Ask the basic questions.</b> Dig deeper and get a clearer picture of what you truly want in your life and your options to get there.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Keep a journal.</b> Journaling is a great way to map your new career direction.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Get a business card.</b> A business card for what you want to do helps you to start moving in that direction.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Have a mental picture of where you want to go.</b> Tape a photograph or collage to your office wall that represents what your new work life will look like.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Be practical.</b> You may need to upgrade your skills and education, but take one class at a time.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Be a volunteer.</b> Check out volunteer opportunities to test the waters.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Get your life in order.</b> Get physically and financially fit. Strive to become more nimble.</p>\n </li>\n</ul>","description":"<p>Copyright © 2015 AARP. All rights reserved.</p>\n<p>Finding your dream job after 50 would be terrific. “Pursue your passion” sounds like great advice until you pause to think about it and realize that you have no idea what your passion is or how to get started. Here are some suggestions to ease you into those first steps:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Find a place to start.</b> Make a list of what you want in the next phase of your career. Don’t look for a perfect path or ideal starting point. </p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Get things moving by taking small steps.</b> One small step may be calling someone who works in a field that appeals to you to discuss possibilities.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Silence your inner enemy. </b>Stop the negative self-talk. You got this.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Ask the basic questions.</b> Dig deeper and get a clearer picture of what you truly want in your life and your options to get there.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Keep a journal.</b> Journaling is a great way to map your new career direction.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Get a business card.</b> A business card for what you want to do helps you to start moving in that direction.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Have a mental picture of where you want to go.</b> Tape a photograph or collage to your office wall that represents what your new work life will look like.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Be practical.</b> You may need to upgrade your skills and education, but take one class at a time.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Be a volunteer.</b> Check out volunteer opportunities to test the waters.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Get your life in order.</b> Get physically and financially fit. Strive to become more nimble.</p>\n </li>\n</ul>","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":9083,"name":"Kerry E. Hannon","slug":"kerry-hannon","description":"Kerry Hannon is a nationally recognized authority on career transitions and retirement, a frequent TV and radio commentator, and author of numerous books, including Love Your Job, What's Next?, and Great Jobs for Everyone 50+. Hannon is AARP's jobs expert and a regular contributor to The New York Times, Forbes, and Money magazine.","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9083"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":34264,"title":"Job Searches","slug":"job-searches","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34264"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":207480,"title":"Getting the Job You Want After 50 For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"getting-the-job-you-want-after-50-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["business-careers-money","careers","job-searches"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/207480"}},{"articleId":142284,"title":"Auditing Your Job Skills to Get a Job after 50","slug":"auditing-your-job-skills-to-get-a-job-after-50","categoryList":["business-careers-money","careers","job-searches"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/142284"}},{"articleId":142283,"title":"Negotiating the Terms of Your Job after 50","slug":"negotiating-the-terms-of-your-job-after-50","categoryList":["business-careers-money","careers","job-searches"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/142283"}},{"articleId":142282,"title":"10 Personal Branding Best Practices after 50","slug":"10-personal-branding-best-practices-after-50","categoryList":["business-careers-money","careers","job-searches"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/142282"}},{"articleId":142271,"title":"Interviewing Tips, Tricks, and Traps You Should Know When Seeking a Job after 50","slug":"interviewing-tips-tricks-and-traps-you-should-know-when-seeking-a-job-after-50","categoryList":["business-careers-money","careers","job-searches"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/142271"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":263098,"title":"Compare and Contrast the 3 Main Resume Formats","slug":"compare-and-contrast-the-3-main-resume-formats","categoryList":["business-careers-money","careers","job-searches"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/263098"}},{"articleId":263088,"title":"How to Customize Your Resume for a Job","slug":"how-to-customize-your-resume-for-a-job","categoryList":["business-careers-money","careers","job-searches"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/263088"}},{"articleId":263079,"title":"Why Creative Resume Designs Are Game Changers","slug":"why-creative-resume-designs-are-game-changers","categoryList":["business-careers-money","careers","job-searches"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/263079"}},{"articleId":263068,"title":"How to Handle Demotions and Other Red Flags on Your Resume","slug":"how-to-handle-demotions-and-other-red-flags-on-your-resume","categoryList":["business-careers-money","careers","job-searches"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/263068"}},{"articleId":252072,"title":"How to Request Endorsements via LinkedIn","slug":"request-endorsements-via-linkedin","categoryList":["business-careers-money","careers","job-searches"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252072"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282237,"slug":"getting-the-job-you-want-after-50-for-dummies","isbn":"9781119022848","categoryList":["business-careers-money","careers","job-searches"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119022843/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119022843/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119022843-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119022843/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119022843/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/getting-the-job-you-want-after-50-for-dummies-cover-9781119022848-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Getting the Job You Want After 50 For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"<p><b data-author-id=\"35042\">Kerry Hannon</b> (kerryhannon.com) is a nationally recognized authority on career transitions and retirement, a frequent TV and radio commentator, and author of numerous books, including Love Your Job (Wiley/AARP), What's Next? 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Finding a Job after 50 by Pursuing Your Passion

By: Kerry E. Hannon and

Updated: 03-26-2016

From The Book: Getting the Job You Want After 50 For Dummies

Getting the Job You Want After 50 For Dummies

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Copyright © 2015 AARP. All rights reserved.

Finding your dream job after 50 would be terrific. “Pursue your passion” sounds like great advice until you pause to think about it and realize that you have no idea what your passion is or how to get started. Here are some suggestions to ease you into those first steps:

Find a place to start. Make a list of what you want in the next phase of your career. Don’t look for a perfect path or ideal starting point.
Get things moving by taking small steps. One small step may be calling someone who works in a field that appeals to you to discuss possibilities.
Silence your inner enemy. Stop the negative self-talk. You got this.
Ask the basic questions. Dig deeper and get a clearer picture of what you truly want in your life and your options to get there.
Keep a journal. Journaling is a great way to map your new career direction.
Get a business card. A business card for what you want to do helps you to start moving in that direction.
Have a mental picture of where you want to go. Tape a photograph or collage to your office wall that represents what your new work life will look like.
Be practical. You may need to upgrade your skills and education, but take one class at a time.
Be a volunteer. Check out volunteer opportunities to test the waters.
Get your life in order. Get physically and financially fit. Strive to become more nimble.

About This Article

This article is from the book:

Getting the Job You Want After 50 For Dummies ,

About the book author:

Kerry Hannon (kerryhannon.com) is a nationally recognized authority on career transitions and retirement, a frequent TV and radio commentator, and author of numerous books, including Love Your Job (Wiley/AARP), What's Next? (Berkley Trade/AARP), and Great Jobs for Everyone 50+ (Wiley/AARP). Hannon is AARP's Jobs Expert and a regular contributor to The New York Times, Forbes, and Money magazine.

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Job Searches ,