Five Ways to Thrive as a Free-Lancer After 40

Are you tremendously qualified and yet feel you've been searching endlessly for that perfect job only to ultimately lose out on jobs to people way less qualified?

Feeling frustrated, bunkie?

Look, I know you miss the hubub and stimulation of working in an office, and if you're over 40 (or especially if you're over 50), they ain't calling.  You keep applying to open jobs that clearly have your name on them, but no dice.  Another rejection...or worse...they don't respond at all.  Like you're invisible.

They don't want you.  They want a 25-35 year-old with "upside," not someone who can hit the ground running and help the company grow.  They want someone they can train, not someone who comes ready-made with a great work ethic.  They will think that they can't afford you, but won't take the time to find out the salary you require.  If you're currently out of work, it's amazing how much "bang for the buck" they could get with you.  Sad but true.

Personally, I've been told I'm intimidating (a 6'3" New Yorker), which can be a tough sell off the east coast.  From Fresno to Framingham, old pros are bringing their baggage and heading out to pasture without their permission.

So, Uncle Promo is here to help...to give you hope in 2014.  Time to get your free-lance business up and sprinting today.   Less moping.  More money!

Julia began her career humiliating various breed of fowl at 49

1.  Figure out what you want to do when you grow up. 
     The people who console you by saying "this could be a good thing" when you first lost your job? 
     Yeah, these are people who have never been out of work.  These are the same people who
     say  "it's all for the best" when someone dies.  Is it?  Have you ever been dead?  It's not fun,
     'cause there ain't no encores.  But now that you have the time, make a list of the things you
     absolutely would NOT want to do next.  The rest of your life is a blank canvas.  Spend as much
     time as you can exploring other jobs and asking questions.  If you're lucky and you ask the right
     questions of your friends who are also changing their lot in life, you will find something to
     light your fire and help you pay the rent quickly.


2.  Make a name for yourself
     Don't delay.  Create a catchy company name, spend the money, get with your lawyer and start an
     LLC, get your business cards printed (vistaprint.com is a cheap and easy start) and build business
     and marketing plans.  This will be cathartic...really, it will.

Attention pwease...I am now on Twitter.  Roll tape!

3. Start spreading the news
    Get out there and network.  I know it's a pain and you feel like such a phony, but that's now your job. It will take a while, but let those cards flow.  They won't do any good in your wallet. Be particular about the events you (and your new company) attend.  Those networking events through your Chamber or local Ad Club are usually a waste of time and money.  They're mostly boys and girls just starting their careers, independent insurance agents and financial planners trolling for clients.  These folks will take your card and call you...to sell you on their services.   Move along, Sonny.     

4.  Stay current
     Do a lot of reading on trends and try to develop new skills you never had time to develop
     when you were pigeon-holed in your last job and you had employees doing things that YOU  
     now have to know how to do.   Your business is changing daily.  Blink and you'll be left
     behind permanently.   Plus, every new technology is fun...once you master it.  Not on Facebook,
     Twitter and Instagram?  Do it today.

Wait for it...wait for it...

5.  Be Patient
     Toledo wasn't built in a day, and neither will your new
     career.  Start slowly and focus on building your new
     career one client at a time.  The first year or two will be
     tough, so you may have to nail down another job to pay
     the bills, but that can be fun, too.  You'll be opening
     doors to a new parcel of work pals, and thus new
     opportunities. That's not a sin; it's a necessity.

I don't have to tell you it's like the wild west for free-lancers out there, but once you get your rhythm, you will find your niche and thrive. 

Let me know how you're doing.  Unless you're bidding on a job against me, we're all in this together, but talent wins out every time.  You know you've got the guns.  Time to focus them and take the credit when your plan comes together.

--Rich Brase
redrich24@gmail.com

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