Joe Podosky

“Don’t Act Your Age” is a how-to book aimed at mature aged workers. And in case you don't know what a mature aged person is, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) define a mature aged person as anyone 45 or older.

So if you're trying to re-enter the workforce, planning to future-proof your career or looking at making a career change, this book is designed specifically to address the concerns and issues that mature aged workers face.

This book is split into two parts. 

Part I is a 10 step program aimed at helping mature aged workers overcome ageism and keep working as long as they want. It addresses all the important points of how best to present yourself, how to handle yourself in an interview and how to bust some of the myths of mature aged workers.

Part II is about developing your Plan B: what do you do if you am unable to secure a job as a mature aged worker. It lists a number of alternate strategies to explore and consider.

Much research has gone into this book and most of the studies and facts listed are supported by an extensive bibliography.

So why is this important?

There are a number of factors that affects employment for people over 45.

One: we’re all living longer. 

Right now, the Australian male will live to an average of 80 years of age. For women, it’s 84. What’s more, that figure will only rise over the next few decades. Research is already showing that by 2055, women will be living to an average age of 100. How can we retire at 65 with possibly another 35 years of living to do? Things need to change.

Two: we’re all working longer.

The Australian government has already increased the age at which you can access your super from 55 to 60. For the age pension, it is now 67 years of age…and that may increase to 70. There are also recommendations from the Productivity Commission to increase the preservation age, i.e. the age you can access your super, from 60 to 65. 

Clearly, the government wants you to stay in the workforce longer.

Three: age discrimination is rife.

Research by the Australian Human Right Commission reveals that 58% of people over the age of 50 have experienced age discrimination when applying for a job. The myths surrounding mature aged workers are rife and just that, myths. But unfortunately, these negative stereotypes are well entrenched and need to be busted.

So the conventional idea of retiring at 65 is being challenged. What are we going to do for the 15 to 20 years in retirement? Can we even afford to retire for 15 to 20 years?

While there is a need for government and major business groups to address the issue of age discrimination, it is also up to the individual to repackage themselves as employable, desirable and in-demand employees. That's what this book is all about.

Ageism in Australia

"The issue of ageism in Australia is a major social problem that we face today. There is so much talent on offer, but older Australians are not getting the chance to contribute as they should. “Don’t Act Your Age” adds to the on-going dialogue we need as a nation, to overcome prejudices and myths about mature aged workers and to ensure that they can continue to work as long as they like. Joe’s how-to book is aimed at helping people to stay relevant and to continue to have opportunities to make a difference”.

David Morrison AO, Australian of the Year 2016 and former Chief of the Army

What's in it for readers?

“Don’t Act Your Age” is an attempt to overcome the myths surrounding mature aged workers and help them either stay in the workforce, return to the workforce or future-proof your career.

There are 16 chapters in all divided into two parts:

Part I

1. Who Are You Anyway
2. Looking and Feeling Good
3. Your Presentation
4. Get With The Program
5. Time To Refresh
6. Reboot Your Resume
7. The Interview
8. Networking
9. Even If You Don’t Have A Job, Create One
10. Age Is A Plus
    
    

Part II – What’s your plan B?

11. Setup a consultancy

12. Buy a Franchise

13. Start a business

14. Jobs for mature age people

15. Retraining

16. What else can you do?

Who is Joe Podosky?

Joe Podosky has worked and flourished in three industries that usually eat their young and kill off their elders. 

After six years in the music industry, over 25 years in advertising and 15 years in the digital world, Joe understands what it takes to live and work in youth-orientated businesses that usually pension you off when you hit 45, if not beforehand.

At 46, Joe was working for a web development firm where the average age was 24. The CEO was just 22. At 48, Joe started his own web development firm long before they were commonplace. And by 60, he was still working full-time in advertising. A rare situation in this most youth-orientated of industries.

Joe has now founded 2nd Act as a way to help people future-proof their careers and keep working into their 50s, 60s and beyond. He wrote this book as a way to help both mature age people overcome ageism and younger people plan for their later years. So whether you're over 45 and wanting to re-enter the workforce or wish to future-proof your career as you age, this book has somehting for you.

Funds raised will be used to edit, format (for both print & digital platforms) and print the book. I have already sourced a good editor and book designer. Any extra funds raised will be used in digital marketing.

Here's a simple breakdown of how the funds will be used:

The risks for this project are minimal...apart from raising the money. Much of the hard work has already been done. The manuscript is virtually completed and simply needs to be professionally edited and proof read.

Printing is the largest single cost associated with this project.