Midlife Career Change Can Be A Crisis

Looking for a reality check? Check out the Wall Street Journal's online Career Forums. There's one thread about midlife career -- with over 400 posts, the biggest of all. And some of the most frustrating. I wish I could tell everyone, "Stop pounding on closed doors. At some point, it's easier to go solo." And don't wait too long: right after you lose your job, go into multi-tasking mode. Spend part of each day networking and answering ads for your next job. And then stop and start planning for a new self-employed career. Hire coaches and consultants while you can still afford them. See my article on mentors