In today's job market, as it pertains to the interview process, the question of how old you are is not allowed. But let's face it, sometimes it shows. On some people more than others. Still no matter your age, if your qualified or have the right experience and skills, it really shouldn't matter if your 22 or 52. So when is it time to start focusing on that "forever" career? Can someone truly be as effective at 60 as they were at 30? That answer is completely up to the person going for the new position. What you might lack at 60 I'm quite sure has little to do with your age and actually were never all that important to your success when you were younger. Sure I looked like a million dollar producer at 22. In fact I would even say I probably made at least half my income back then from my looks alone. (Course I was a personal trainer and gym owner at that age.) What I didn't have back then was confidence. It's what I gained every year since then. It came from the mistakes I made and the lessons they taught me. I was smart enough then to learn from each of my many mistakes throughout the years and remember them. Which has helped me to avoid those mistakes again. I'm 47 now, almost 48, with a little less hair, slightly less muscle definition and a terrific sense of stlye. More importantly, I've been around the business world long enough to recognize the signs of good leadership, effective management, and see the warning signs of bad business decisions. Where I once might have jumped at every opportunity. Now I simply ask myself, "how could this really screw me up?" Which at 22 never crossed my mind.