Comeback Careers: Rethink, Refresh, Reinvent Your Success--At 40, 50, and Beyond

by Mika Brzezinski, Ginny Brzezinski (Primary Contributor)

STRONG, WISER, BETTER

An Essential Guide for Reentering, Reinventing, or Rebooting Your Career at Any Age


So many women hit their 40s or 50s and it's time for a career change. Maybe you're yearning to try something new, or you're sensing that layoffs are coming and you need a backup plan. Perhaps you paused, or downsized your career to raise children, and you're ready to rejoin the workforce. How do you reboot, relaunch, return to, or reinvent a career at age 40? Or 50? Or 60? And how can you create a career and life that will provide you with purpose and financial security for years to come?

In Comeback Careers , New York Times bestselling author and co-host of MSNBC's Morning Joe Mika Brzezinski and her sister-in-law Ginny Brzezinski have teamed up to show you that career reinvention is possible at any age. You have the skills, experience, and maturity; it's time to own them. For this book, Mika and Ginny interviewed dozens of career-changers working in a variety of fields, from finance to academics to the arts. They share successful relaunchers' secrets to overcoming obstacles, both internal and external, and their step-by-step processes and candid advice. They also reveal key strategies from top job coaches, résumé-writers, and LinkedIn experts, tailored to the special challenges of mid-career jobseekers.

It's time to rewrite the narrative. You are stronger, wiser, and better at the midpoint, and Comeback Careers is a roadmap to your career reinvention and fulfillment.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Self Help, Professional Development

256 pages, Hardcover

Published January 14, 2020

About the author

Mika Brzezinski is a television news journalist at MSNBC. Brzezinski is co-host of MSNBC's weekday morning program, Morning Joe, where she provides regular commentary and reads the news headlines for the program. Additionally, she reports for NBC Nightly News and serves as alternating news anchor on Weekend Today. Brzezinski was previously a CBS News anchor and correspondent. She and Morning Joe co-host Joe Scarborough began hosting a two-hour late-morning radio show on WABC (770 AM) in New York City.

Reviews

[Emmkay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Practical how-to for women in midlife who are either returning to or reinventing their careers - tips ranging from how to make the best use of LinkedIn to crafting your narrative, informational interviews, resume-writing, and so on. Very American and corporate in orientation but there are nuggets each reader is likely to find helpful, and it’s also helpful to realize that there are lots of women out there doing the same thing.

[Franki Sibberson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really helpful as I think about what I might do after retirement. So much of my identity is tied to my job as a classroom teacher (which I LOVE) and it was helpful to think about my idenenty outside of this one job that I have held for my whole working career. As I look ahead to what is next in my work in literacy and education, this book really helped me think through a lot of things. This book is geared to women in their 40s, 50s and beyond, to women who have left the workforce for a variety of reasons, etc. I listened to the audio and found it really helpful and engaging.

[Stacia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reference book. Lots of solid, practical advice & helpful information. Hoping it works!

[Katie Minion · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am reading this book for book club. It's not catered to my age bracket, but I resonated with much of what the authors discussed because I went through a career transition at age 30. This book would be great for anybody who has a decent amount of career experience who wants to pivot to something else, or somebody who is reentering the workforce after a career break for whatever reason. It's written toward women, and I do think that most of the comments are relevant to women, so men reentering the workforce would likely want to use a different book for inspiration and instruction.
Even though I am happy with my career right now, I found this book inspirational. It's a good reminder that we are in charge of our own lives.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for people over fifty who have recently been confronted with a job change or who are returning to the work force after a hiatus. It had a ton of great suggestions and website/podcasts/online community suggestions (I came away with seven pages of notes). I found it especially helpful to read the chapters on how to re-position your brand and how to present your experience with a new twist to get you noticed. I'm really looking forward to delving into the recommended websites over the next few weeks. This book has given me new energy to pursue my personal relaunch efforts.

[Jorge Enrique Alzate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly written for women,,,but I got some cool nuggets and examples I use for fuel and reinforcement in my current job search. One person learned to find a program management job so she can use her strengths of improving processes and creating efficiencies, using her talents to work with lots of different people, taking programs from creation to completion. A cover letter example for a pivoter new to an industry. A website to volunteer your specific skills to a nonprofit (catchafire.org). All practical and useful tips for me along with general advice on resume and LinkedIn profile management to reinforce what I already know. Well-worth the read.

[Janet Woodka · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not the best book of the genre but it is a good addition to the space. It won't help you to figure out what you want to do - but there are other, better books for that. It does, however, identify a number of valuable resources for women looking to pivot or re-enter the workforce or change careers. It also gives some excellent advice on branding and some of the mechanics, such as updating your resume and using LinkedIn and other resources more fully.

[Ryleigh Cheese · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is definitely a good book, in terms of women looking to find their place back in the work force. Practical advice and tips, I just wish there were more inspirational stories from women finding their place. But don’t get me wrong, it’s still a good advice book despite some of the parts I find lacking, especially the section on starting your own business. That would have warranted a book by itself. So that’s probably my biggest gripe.

[The Suburban Eclectic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful, informative, inspiring. Part how-to, part motivational speaker, Comeback Careers provides multiple avenues of approach to a career change, career comeback, or mature first-timers. There is no one way to make a big business change, but the Brzezinskis provide realistic advice that will help you navigate self-doubt and naysayers. You can do this!

[Terri Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good, practical information--places to look for jobs, returnships for women re-entering the workforce, etc. Probably enough information for two books! I would read it soon as some of the information will quickly go out of date.

My only criticism is that many of the women profiled were in Washington, DC, New York, or LA. Not much for middle of the country women with ordinary jobs.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid book with sound advice for a mid-level, mid-leadership career mindset person who is looking to refresh rather than reinvent. I had hoped this would be appropriate for my coaching clients - women looking to transform into career 2.0 m, to truly step into their power, knowledge and talents - but this really didn’t hit the mark.

[Frieda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firmly in my middle age years, my career journey went from one path to another. As I continue to build on this relatively new path, I am always reading career development material to help me shape my next moves. Comeback Careers was a fine read - one part cheerleader and inspiration and one part solid advice, especially where ageism in the workplace is a clear concern for many.

[Dan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers REAL advice for making a comeback.. Even though its targeted to women I would recommend anyone trying to get back into their industry to read this. This book really REALLY spoke to me after being unemployed for over 1 year and struggling to find qualified work.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good ideas. I have put the book on hold at the library to go over the resume ideas more closely. I also changed a couple things on my Linkedin because of this book.

You will feel motivated if you are wanting to start anew!

[Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think I would be in as good a position as I am without the encouragement from this book in interviewing, negotiating salary, etc.

[Cortneygshipe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any woman that is mid-career. Filled with practical advice.

[Lorie Owens · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.
One section proves worthwhile: a list of what older candidates bring to the job than younger ones simply cannot. This could have been a listicle article online. Nothing else to see here. Move along...

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of actual advice and resources the reader can use!!!!

[Maria Ciletti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. I found a lot of good fresh, information here and I think anyone thinking or needing to change careers would benefit from it.

[Jackie K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring. However, I did not finish it. The timing for me to relaunch is not now. I will pick this book up again to read when I'm ready.

[Pollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concrete and motivating with practical tips and good sound advice on mindset. After reading it a few months back I have two jobs now as I move along on the path back to my career.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was OK. A good platform for the authors' speaking tours. I wanted to love it. I fully embrace the premise, but the book just didn't inspire me beyond the headline.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

*

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of information and resources provided if you are seriously considering going back to work after taking a significant break in your career to raise kids, etc. The resource list is fantastic, as well as how to write your resume, use LinkedIn, and how to interview.

Highly recommended (if this situation applies to you).

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book that every woman over 40 needs to read. Amazing read!!

[Steve Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was Stevo's Business Book of the Week for the week of 1/19, as selected by Stevo's Book Reviews on the Internet and Stevo's Novel Ideas. An Essential Guide for Reentering, Reinventing, or Rebooting Your Career at Any Age.

Find more Business Books of the week on my Goodreads Listopia page at https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9..., and find many more recommended books on my Amazon Influencer page at https://www.amazon.com/shop/stevo4747.

This book was also a Best of the Best for the month of February 2020: https://forums.delphiforums.com/stevo.... Search for me on Google for many more reviews and recommendations.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book on discovering and articulating your value and using that to relaunch your life and/or career. Filled with practical tips, inspiring stories, and valuable resources...you won’t regret this read!