Ken Bullard ⋅ Denver, CO British Telecom ⋅ 14 years experience

Forget about your age unless you have health problems that may interfere with you doing the job. I changed careers to IT at age 44 after ten years as a chemist. While a young pup interviewer may see you as "the old guy" another interviewer may see you as the mature guy. It depends on the type of job. I am almost 60 and I work circles around the young pups in IT. Mature people are good about making it to work. Youngsters not so much. Mature people are reasonable. The young pups want it ALL dropped in their lap RIGHT NOW. I have been told this by managers. Age is an obstacle only if you allow it to be. First go to the state employment agency. Take tests to see what kind of work you're suited for then attend a community college. You'll meet lots of folks just like you. Go from there. It worked for me.

Neil Serafin ⋅ Easthampton, MA Telecommunications ⋅ 40 years experience

Age 49 is tough. This is about the time you start being seen as the old guy by people who interview you for jobs. Some suggestions for a new career: (1) Work for a non-profit. Be the bob-tail/18 wheeler driver for their truck that pick's up food for the food-pantry. This job offers in- town travel and the non-profit will offer you health insurance. I am doing this now as a volunteer in retirement. I guess my truck driving training at Ft. Sill paid off. (2) Be the driver for one of the big Cable TV operators in your area. They need equipment pick-up and delivery of set-top boxes on a daily bases. This too is an in-town job. (3) You know trucks. Start selling equipment to trucking companies. Sales reps make great money. I was a sales guy in the Cable TV industry and got repeat business by having product knowledge and looking out for the client.

George Wilhelmsen ⋅ Rochelle, IL Sargent & Lundy ⋅ 38 years experience

Rich,

What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing? These are key questions I'd like you to answer, so I can suggest some ideas.

I'm lucky (and driven) that I have worked in several industries at the same time. I've found ways to scratch my itch for work, and make some money.

I sense you want to get out from behind the wheel. What do you have in your resume (e.g., welding, electrical work, work on cars, etc.) that you can point out, that might give us a hint at what your next job -should- be?

George Wilhelmsen

Gina Riccitelli ⋅ Newark, CA Ohlone College ⋅ 3 years experience

Here are 2 resources for you to start with:
1) www.onetonline.org
O*NET OnLine has detailed descriptions of the hundreds of careers including salary expectations by state, skills and typical education needed. (Under Advanced Search select Skills Search to identify careers matching your skill set.)
2) www.myskillsmyfuture.org
is a great place to start; just enter your current or past job title and you will be presented with related career options.

Allow yourself some time for research and exploration, reflect on the local economy, don't let others deter you ("where there's a will, there's a way") but do be practical. Someone may be older but they are also wiser, use wisdom to your advantage and have fun with this next stage in life! You are not 'close' to re-tire-ment, so get some new 'tires' on and go!