Here's some of the advice I gave to BusinessWeek readers on how to get started in an encore career:

Plan before you're ready to make a move: Start thinking about your encore career a few years before you think you'll want to start pursuing it. This is a good time to read up on areas that interest you, to do informational interviews, and to talk to a financial planner or a trusted friend about your financial situation.

Craft some experiments: Once you've identified a few areas that interest you, craft a few experiments to test the waters and get some experience. Volunteering is a great way to try something out, learn a bit about a field and make connections. And sometimes learning that you don't like something is as important as learning what you love.

Survey your finances: Take a serious look at your financial situation and figure out what you need to earn in order to live the lifestyle you want to live. Ask yourself lots of questions: Are you willing to continue working part-time or on a freelance basis in an existing career to support a transition or a lower paying job? Are you the sole source of income for your household? Can you lower expenses in any way to give yourself more flexibility in your career choices?

Brush up on skills: Once you've identified something you want to pursue, figure out if there are skills you need to hone in order to do the kind of work you want to do. If so, find classes or other ways to learn. Check out continuing education programs, community colleges and online offerings.

Tap your network: If you already have a strong network, let people know that you're considering a change so that they start to see you in a new light. Don't think you have to cultivate an entirely new network just because you might be shifting sectors. If you don't have a strong network, start spending time with people who share interests with you. And don't limit yourself to professional connections. The best relationships are built when people connect over a common passion or interest; so don't be surprised if opportunities arise through your poker buddies or the parents of your children's friends.

Listen to the video for more tips, including advice on some of the challenges of pursuing and encore career and how to overcome them.

Editor's note: Marci Alboher, senior fellow at Civic Ventures, is the author of One Person/Multiple Careers: A New Model for Work/Life Success and created the popular Shifting Careers blog and column for The New York Times.