“So What if I’m 50?” Straight Talk & Proven Strategies for Getting Hired in the Toughest Job Market Ever by Bob Weinstein proclaims to be aimed at job seekers over the age of 50. Remember when you were a child and your idea of “old” was anyone over the age of 20? As you grew older, your perception of “old age” grew further and further away. When you’re young, it’s hard to conceive that one day you would be in the midst of what you used to call “really old”. Unfortunately in the job market, 50 isn’t really the new 40.

“So What if I’m 50” takes a realistic view of the job market for those who may be considered “past their prime” and are suddenly unemployed. The book starts off discussing the mentality of the work force in the 1940’s and 1950’s. At that time, workers tended to get and keep the same job for their entire career. The mindsets of both employees and employers have changed over the years. Employees are now looking for money and title, even if it means moving from job to job. Employers, who recognize the transient nature of today’s workers, are looking for employees who are willing to stay with the company a few years, not a lifetime.

Even though the book claims to be advice for workers over 50, I found that the advice provided in the book is applicable to job seekers of all ages. For example, Chapter 9 talks about job hunting. It also discusses the three “golden rules” of networking including; not calling an old contact that you have not kept in touch with over the years; engaging people in conversation without a purpose; or tastelessly meddling. While the advice on networking and contacts is supposed to be geared to a job seeker over 50, all job seekers would benefit from the networking advice provided.

“So What if I’m 50” also includes a chapter on preparing your resume. Again, I find that this information would be applicable to all job seekers regardless of their age. Your resume should be considered your “introduction” to an employer. The book also provides excellent instructions on preparing cover letters.

“So What if I’m 50?” Straight Talk & Proven Strategies for Getting Hired in the Toughest Job Market describes itself as a way to “learn the surprising secrets of landing a great job after the age of 50!” I don’t feel that it is specifically geared toward the older worker. I think the message that the author attempts to make regarding the older worker, is that they may not be as in tune to some of the job searching resources as the younger more cyber oriented job seekers of today. For example, it tells you to “get with the program and learn the lingo” in reference to job searching on the Internet.

“So What if I’m 50?” Straight Talk & Proven Strategies for Getting Hired in the Toughest Job Market book is filled with tips and sound information on the looking for a job in a tough economy. I would recommend this book to anyone needing advice on looking for a new job, regardless of their age.