137: John Tarnoff: From Hollywood Film Producer to Career Reinvention Advocate, Embracing Resilience, Creativity, Aging and the Power of Relationships

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Could a Hollywood talent agent and film producer teach you how to navigate your career with resilience and creativity? That's exactly what John Tarnoff, our guest for this episode, has been doing after an impressive 50-year stint in the film industry. Hear firsthand how John, who contributed to iconic movies like "The Power of One" and "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure," draws from his experiences to help others successfully transition through various career stages. From securing early roles to redefining oneself in later years, this conversation promises to shed light on turning job losses into opportunities for growth and learning.

Imagine leaving a secure career path only to face unexpected challenges. That's a reality I once navigated, stepping away from entertainment to pursue a tech startup, only to confront a major crash. Through networking and an open mind, I found new opportunities at DreamWorks Animation. This episode emphasizes the power of relationships and adaptability over traditional job applications, especially in mid-career stages. Through stories of transformation and serendipity, we highlight how self-discovery can lead you to your dream role, even when the path seems uncertain.

We also tackle some of today’s most pressing job market challenges, like ageism and navigating online job searches. Is the "Open to Work" banner on LinkedIn a proactive step or a misunderstood shortcut? Together with John, we discuss how to handle such perceptions and biases. By exploring the Japanese concept of ikigai, John offers a framework for aligning passion and profession, encouraging you to view career reinvention through a lens of intention and community support. Don’t miss his valuable resources and insights that can kickstart your own career transition journey.

Learn more about John Tarnoff here:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johntarnoff/
johntarnoff.com/blog (Blog)
midcareerlab.com (Company)



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