CAREERS : SHIFTING GEARS : Careers for the Ages : Preparing for Brave New World of Work Means Breaking Out of Lock-Step Notions : REAL-LIFE LESSONS

Good and bad career advice from employed and unemployed of all ages:

* Don’t bother applying till the baby boomer start retiring.

* If you’re hard-headed, they won’t let you go anywhere, unless you’re sneaky about it.

* Offer up your own ideas.

* There’s always going to be someone on top of you unless you go over their heads.

* Exercise: Roller blading can lead to jobs.

* Have your own goal in mind while you keep doing what you’re expected to.

* Stay home until you absolutely have to move out.

* Look before you graduate.

* Thank God for student loan deferments.

* Network, network, network.

* Personal connections are better than paperwork.

* Do what you love and the money will come.

* Use career counseling centers, especially if they’re free.

* Think twice about shopping sprees.

* If you can’t get the salary, go for something new.

* Do something job-hunt related every day.

* Be flexible.