Jobseekers at Gen Plus often have questions about attacking the job market at 50 Plus. Interestingly, one question that keeps popping up has to do with dyeing their hair. 
I gather tidbits of info on China, because of the overpowering possibilities of the tidal wave of consumerism that is growing in leaps and bounds every day. I always look to the bigger picture and as Gen Plus is teaching me, aging isn't always old and might doesn't always have to do with size. 
There are more than 360 million cell phone users, and over 350 million land line telephones. Mobile phone purchases are increasing by 8 million per month, or over 90 million per year. We ONLY have 78 million 50-plussers in need of employment or who can contribute to the economy. When you look at our small country in comparison to China, it is easy to see how the US, the greatest consumer force in the world, will soon be dwarfed by China's consumer power.
Blog bonus:
Gen Plus is supporting the rebuilding efforts of survivors of Hurricane's Katrina and Rita by providing free memberships to Jobseekers and potential Employers.
Over the past year, the fear of aging has gripped the US. The panic over how to handle a dwindling Social Security fund and finance 78 million boomers is a telling indicator of how reactive, rather than proactive, the US is when it comes to social responsibility.
White elephant that we, the aging population, may be, BUT we aren't standing in the middle of the room hoping that government will notice us. They will...but too late. If 50-plus waits for help, it will never come and the ship that is Social Security, will have sunk!
A force of Blogging Boomers, Raging Grannies, Mouthy Matures and Demanding Dementias are unleashing...through the power of Internet and reaching, albeit karate keyboarding their way, into the workplace. Like it or not -- 78 million have arrived.
Gen Plus is looking for more system testers and we need you to be 50 or older! If you are over 50 or know someone over 50 who is considering looking for a new job or is currently on the job hunt, we need you to let us know how user-friendly our site is. As a thank you, you'll get a free 3-month membership to the Gen Plus resume posting feature.
Her two questions:
How long do you want to work? How long will you be able to work?
isolate very well the major issues of boomer and beyond.
I follow the news rigorously seeking the rumblings about over-50 employment. When I see an article, like Ms. Stafford's, I take notice. She is speaking in Kansas, but Washington needs to listen. When she talks about the white elephant in the room, she isn't speaking about social security. She is talking about us, the soon to be axed boomers and beyond, who will need to work at any cost in order to make it to our 80's and 90's with some dignity.
One of the biggest challenges I deal with every day at Gen Plus is changing the mind-set and perception of a nation of employers. In many cultures, past and present, the elders of the tribe were the sages. They were revered for their lifelong learning and their living experience. In the world of today, over three decades of marginalization of 50-plus stand between a secure next age or a fragile existence. Anyone over 50 can expect to live to 75, 85 and beyond and being one of them, I can safely say, most of us will not be able to live on our own means.
Gen Plus is the concept of my imagination. I was raised in Canada and bred with an unavoidable sensibility for the support of community -- through medicare, through education, through social programs. As a result, even though I am now an American and call LA my home, I have an internal calling to social responsibility that compells me to connect (not cast), a wide net. 
If you are over 50 and have not yet posted your resume on Gen Plus, you are missing an opportunity to be seen by employers specifically searching for the 50-plus demographic. A whole new world -- Silver Surfers -- as 50-plussers are also being called on the internet, is surfacing.
On a side note, based on our beta testing and your feedback, we've enhanced our payment programming. It is now a seamless process, easy to navigate with no additional need to create a separate account for payment. If you were experiencing any challenges, simply log in (or create your new account) and you'll be easily walked through the process.
Gen Plus is doing GREAT! We've made some modifications that you'll like much better. Thanks to those of you who sent your comments and critiques. We're keeping it simple and clean -- getting right to the nitty-gritty needs of our tribe. In a couple of weeks keep watch for a beta code so you can try the service at no charge for a few months. Please pass the word along to your 50-plus friends. I've been hearing from 40-somethings who love the concept and want to take advantage of the job search. Well...they'll have to WAIT!
On another note and one that has NOTHING to do with Gen Plus, today LA came unplugged. Literally. From the San Fernando Valley, down through the West Side and down through Torrance. For those of you not in the LA region...that's a LOT of geography. All this due to worker error. 
One worker. $45K
One false connection. $45M
No traffic lights for 4 million commuters. Priceless.
One day after a terror video. Needless to say everyone was in a controlled panic. Trying NOT to be overly worried. And then we found out it was a worker mistake. See? There is no need for us to be alarmed that terrorists will harm us here. Los Angelenos can do it all by themselves.
For those of my tribe, the 50-plussers who have been following the growth of Gen Plus (www.genplususa.com -- where we are reinventing 50-Plus), we are in an unusual position. Many of us have money, choices and direction. Many of us have not enough money, fewer choices and little clarity. Our mid-life crisis is setting in at least a decade later than our parents'. Ours revolves around financial and job security at a time where we will no longer be found useful in business communities. At 50-Plus we quickly become irrelevant and financially powerless, unless we have socked away enough money for an early and easier retirement.
After much persuasion and encouragement by the loving, insane fans, Cass got his book together. Yesterday it hit the bookshelves. In support of his efforts and his incredible wit and style, I'd highly recommend a visit to his blog, http://www.cancergiggles.blog-city.com/cancergiggles_mountains_are_easy.htm to read about more than the story.
They understand the web. They understand the general information gathering that the internet offers. But when it comes to Blog....they Fog.
So, my dear 20 and 30-somethings...please don't pass by so quickly. Help us time warp out of The Rocky Horror Picture Show (yes, we were the original audiences!) Forward the blog to your folks, the friends of your parents, your teachers, your doctors, your family lawyers. It is the only way to re-educate a generation raised on TV rather than Internet.
