A true-to-life experience of Mr. Lifedefiner.

Labor Day weekend is supposed to be a time of celebration for savoring the blessings of having a good job and the benefits that go with it. However, ironically, it was just the week before Labor Day in 2009 that I received the news that my services were no longer needed.

As graphically demonstrated in some of the scenes of the recent George Clooney movie "Up in the Air", it was a case of "just like that and it's over" and of course, the reactions to such news would vary and cover all the spectrum of emotions ranging from surprise to denial to anger to any other "survivalist" instincts. A common thread is the sense of powerlessness at such point in time before the mind is able to digest and react.

Whether it will provide some consolation or not, the number of individuals who fall under the category of "over50 and unemployed" appears to be on a rising trend, especially in the current economic downturn of the first decade of the new millennium. And, just like the young ones on the other end, there is a sense of vulnerability. Isn't over 50 the time to prepare for the next phase of life which is retirement? Add to this the changing landscape of the job market, especially with the advent of new technologies which have both their good and bad sides.

The announcement of job loss sets the stage for a new reality and career change which can lead to success or failure depending on a lot of factors both within and beyond the control of the unemployed. 

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