The Next Act: A Complete Guide to Career Change, Professional Reinvention, and Finding Work That Matters

The Next Act: A Complete Guide to Career Change, Professional Reinvention, and Finding Work That Matters

The system wants you to believe your shelf life has expired. It's waiting for you to shrink, to become invisible, to quietly fade away. Michael Feeley is here to help you see that this isn't true. Go, go, go. —Seth Godin, Author of This is Marketing Are you standing at a career crossroads, wondering if it's time to make a change but terrified of letting go of everything you've built? You're not alone. After decades of success in your field, the thought of starting over can feel overwhelming. Maybe you're facing downsizing, feeling undervalued, or simply yearning for more meaningful work. The questions loop endlessly: Am I too old to switch careers? What if I fail? How can I possibly start over now? Michael Feeley knows this territory intimately. As a former professional actor turned corporate recruiter turned life coach, he's mastered the art of professional reinvention. In this groundbreaking guide, he shares the proven strategies that have helped countless professionals transform their career crisis into an encore opportunity. You'll discover: • How to identify and leverage your transferable skills • Practical strategies for exploring new career paths while maintaining your current job • Ways to overcome the fear and self-doubt that block career transformation • Techniques for updating your resume and interview approach for today's job market • Methods for turning your experience into a competitive advantage Whether you're 50, 60, or beyond, your most meaningful work might still lie ahead. This isn't just about finding another job—it's about crafting a new chapter that honors your experience while opening doors to fresh possibilities. Your skills are more valuable than you know. Your experience matters more than you think. And your next act might be your best one yet. Include actionable tools, real-world examples, and access to exclusive online resources, this guide provides everything you need to navigate career transition with confidence and purpose. Don't settle for less than you deserve. Your encore awaits. The Next Act is a bold, honest, and deeply inspiring guide for anyone facing an unexpected career transition. Michael doesn't sugarcoat the fears and uncertainties of reinvention—he meets them head-on, offering wisdom, resilience, and a path forward. Through compelling personal stories and practical advice, he shows that career change isn't about starting over—it's about leveraging everything you've built to create a future that excites you. If you're wondering what's next, this book is the script you need to take control and step into your next act with confidence. Dr. Marshall Goldsmith - Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach and New York Times bestselling author of The Earned Life, Triggers, and What Got You Here Won't Get You There. The Next Act removes the complexity, confusion, and fear of looking for new work and building your next career as a mature person. Consider it the blueprint for success distilled into easy, achievable steps that get results. This book is refreshing and empowering. A must read. Chip Conley - Founder MEA (Modern Elders Academy) and NY Times Bestselling Author "The Next Act" is a guide for anyone with a dream that feels out of reach. Jargon-free, it is the least "coachy" book I've encountered on the subject. Feeley shares his experiences of reinventing himself professionally and personally as well as examples of the journeys of some of his worldwide clients. Michael offers actionable exercises that can free you from where you are to where you dream to go. If you're feeling that tug to move on in your life but are stuck for myriad legitimate reasons such as fear, finances, other people's expectations and self-confidence, if you've cringed at the word "coaching," this book is a must read. Laura Meagher Emmy Award Winning Journalist and Personal Coach The Next Act is an empowering guide for job seekers looking to translate their skills into tangible, performance-driven outcomes. Rather than focusing on outdated resumes and generic qualifications, Feeley provides a blueprint for leveraging transferable skills to meet real-world business challenges - exactly what hiring managers and recruiters seek. His approach aligns seamlessly with the Performance-based Hiring principles I advocate, helping professionals articulate their value through measurable achievements. If you're at a career crossroads, this book will help you craft a compelling career narrative that proves your ability to deliver results, making you a stronger, more confident job candidate. Lou Adler CEO, Performance Based Hiring Learning Systems and author of - Hire with Your Head and The Essential Guide to Hiring Real life advice for real world dilemmas - here's the roadmap needed to live your best life! Angela Beeching Arts Career Specialist and author of Beyond Talent: Creating a Successful Career in Music.