In this episode, Marc answers Baby Boomer job search questions with his trusty sidekick, Elizabeth Rabaey. Listen in for ideas to go forward!   Key Takeaways: [1:14] Elizabeth worked environmental engineering for years, and has switched to marketing, where she enjoys learning a lot, and getting out and making deals. [2:26] Q1: I am a former CMO for a healthcare marketing company. I have been out of work for one year and I am looking at both finding a new marketing position and starting a new business. Do you have any advice about how to make a transition? [2:49] A1: This person is very highly compensated, in the financial side of the industry, and is in their mid-fifties. It is not surprising they have been out of work so long. They should start a consulting business as an LLC. and ‘date” companies for a job. Companies hire consultants before employees. [5:23] To start a business, buy an existing business through a good business broker, buy a franchise, through either EntrepreneurSource or FranNet, or start a business by working with your local Small Business Development Center, a free service of the SBA. This may be short-term, dating to join a firm, or for a long-term business. [10:10] Q2: Hiring management is looking for younger and cheaper. How can we Baby Boomers get around that? My experience is in nonprofit management. I have had multiple interviews but never landed an offer. What do you think? [10:32] A2: One of the key issues is to prove your value. You get interviews. Think of yourself as a negotiator, landing the best deal. What are the pain points? Ask probing questions. See the blog posts, “Probing for Pain Points in an Interview,” and “Questions That Power The Negotiator Job Search.” Get them to open up, so you can sell yourself. [15:23] Q3: How do I explain the time gap between leaving my last job, and looking for work after dealing with cancer? [15:34] A: Gaps between jobs are not really critical. In this listener’s case, the cancer was years ago, but might return. The listener does not need to disclose this now, but if an offer is made, should consider their health at that time, if it will affect job performance. [19:27] Marc’s program Leap to Success, at LaunchpadJobClub.com, does short-term projects for nonprofits, primarily for project managers, technical and marketing people, to show that you’ve actually done real work.This year they will do close to $1M for nonprofits. [20:06] Keep your skills up-to-date between jobs. Don’t let yourself get stale. Do relevant volunteer technical work. [22:16] To submit any questions you’d like Marc to answer on this podcast, go to CareerPivot.com, click Contact Me, and type it in. Marc will run a Q&A session like this every month!   Mentioned in This Episode: Careerpivot.com EntrepreneurSource.com FranNet.com "Probing for Pain Points in an Interview" "Questions That Power The Negotiator Job Search" The Negotiator Job Search LaunchpadJobClub.com Leap to Success Program Contact Marc, and ask questions at: Careerpivot.com/contact-me   Take a moment -- go to iTunes, Stitcher, or GooglePlay. Give this podcast a review and subscribe!