Find Your Encore Career

Put your experience to work with free advice, resources and job listings

Therapist ; Nonprofit Founder

2008 Purpose Prize Winner

More Encore Careers

Trust your instincts

Ask a few people you know to help fill a need. Working for years in a field gives you intimate knowledge of what needs to be improved.

Invite others to lend their expertise via clearinghouses like VolunteerMatch.org.

Research other nonprofits to get ideas. For example, check out SmartLink, a community resource sponsored by several foundations, to learn about new approaches for helping underserved populations.

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Get Started Guide

The Wall Street Journal calls it “essential reading.” If you are just beginning your search for an encore career, check out our new Get Started Guide, which offers expert advice, helpful books and Web sites, tips and success stories – plus answers to your questions about how to pursue careers in education, health care, government and the environment.

Encore Career Advice

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How to Negotiate Your Encore Compensation Package

Posted 11/13/2009 - 12:40pm

Even in these tough economic times, many boomers are exploring ways to earn a living while serving their communities. Many are willing to give up some financial benefits for the psychic benefits of meaningful work.

These intrepid explorers need not be martyrs for the common good. The financial hit they take when moving into the nonprofit lane can be softened considerably by some smart negotiating. Lane changers who now enjoy nonprofit careers shared some surprising pointers about negotiating their new compensation packages.

by: jjelenko | Read more >>

Why Character Matters in Your Encore Career

Posted 07/23/2009 - 4:44pm

In searching for an encore career you may be looking for the life or work calling where you can be of the greatest service in addressing an unmet need in the world. Whether it is tutoring underprivileged children, serving as a mentor to foster youths, caring for the elderly, working with a prison inmate or bringing a new technology or approach to empower people in a foreign land, the opportunities are almost limitless.

But as you pursue your encore career, don’t overlook the central driver that motivates you and which can inspire young people who are disillusioned with national figures implicated in scandals. It is character itself that is the call of the hour and the safeguard of our nation’s future.

by: Sam Shafer | Read more >>

Ace That Interview: How to Land a Job After Age 50

Posted 09/11/2009 - 12:31pm

By Joe Turner

“I was fully qualified and it makes no sense” is the most common complaint. “They simply don’t know how to hire” is another one. Or, “They told me that I was overqualified.”

Randy Block, a seasoned career transition coach and consultant in the San Francisco Bay Area, often hears comments like these. He knows that the ultra-competitive job search process in today’s economy is especially hard for experienced individuals seeking encore careers. He advises them to think and act differently during interviews in order to succeed.

by: turnerjo | Read more >>

Health Insurance and Your Encore Career

Posted 07/13/2009 - 12:47pm

Retiree health coverage is increasingly rare, and individual insurance is expensive, but there are some steps people can take to prevent health insurance concerns from derailing their encore careers, according to U.S. News and World Report.

by: Terry Nagel | Read more >>

Encore Career Resources

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Does Age Matter?

Posted 01/28/2010 - 4:24pm

Does Age Matter? Exploring Life Stage, Career Stage and Perceptions of Quality Employment: Findings From the NEW Age & Generations Study is a video presented by Kathy Lynch, director of employer engagement for the Center on Aging and Work, Boston College.

To the video of Lynch’s entire presentation, including her slides, click here, then click on the right arrow to start the video.

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Night Owl Companion job searching guides

Posted 03/02/2009 - 3:15pm

Three practical guides from Night Owl Companion Publishing offer practical tips to individuals seeking work that aligns with their values and skills. Although these books are not specifically directed at people seeking encore careers, they break down the process of finding a job into manageable tasks that are helpful to all job searchers.

by: Terry Nagel | Read more >>

The Idealist Guide to Nonprofit Careers for Sector Switchers

Posted 11/25/2008 - 4:50pm

By Steven Pascal-Joiner with Meg Busse. Action Without Borders, 2008

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Encore.org Calendar

Posted 05/07/2009 - 10:50am

Check out events in your area that can help you find an encore career. Visit the Encore.org Calendar. To suggest an event for the Calendar, send details to Terry Nagel at tnagel@civicventures.org.

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American Association of Colleges of Nursing

Posted 11/24/2008 - 2:26pm

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing has a wealth of information on accelerated programs that provide a fast track to careers in nursing.

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Troops to Teachers

Posted 11/24/2008 - 2:36pm

Troops to Teachers helps veterans make the transition to teaching with subsidies and bonuses. Civic Ventures has published a background paper with more information.

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Capturing Experience: How People 50+ Can Help Your Organization

Posted 11/18/2008 - 3:40pm

This interactive online tutorial for nonprofit employers has interactive tools to help them attract and retain paid and unpaid workers age 50 and older. Topics include assessing workforce capabilities, marketing to older adults and job “sculpting.” It’s available free here.

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