My friends over at The Three Tomatoes–if you don’t know them take a look, their website and weekly newsletters are full of lifestyle info, products, and resources for us girls who aren’t kids anymore–are holding a fabulous contest that you don’t want to miss.

No purchase is necessary you simply sign up for their newsletter. Trust me whether you live in NYC or not you’ll love this newsletter for the great writing, the online sales they’ve got the private invitations to, and so much more.

Now let me tell you what’s up for grabs. New York City needs no introduction and that’s the setting for this pampered experience. The hotel you’ll be staying at is called The Surrey. It was built in the 1920′s as a residence and when they remodeled recently they hired someone who would honor the elegant history but include modern touches like a roof top bar and a full service spa. Two of you will enjoy one night in a King Deluxe room and you’ll receive two 60 minute spa services.

The contest ends September 22nd at noon and I’d jump on it if you have been wanting to enjoy some time in the city, maybe eat at a fabulous restaurant, see a show, visit a museum.

I recently had drinks in the bar downstairs and let me tell you the place is cool. The service was great and a better cosmo is not to be found.

I entered and wish you all the best of luck with your entry. Hey, if you can’t get to NYC it would be a great gift!

Check it out and do spend some time on the Tomatoes website. They have a radio show called Tomatoes in the Trenches and recently featured my friend Eileen Williams of Feisty Side of Fifty on finding work after 50. She’s the expert on this subject so if you are a job seeker, have a listen.

My colleague Eileen Williams is the creator of a blog and radio show called, The Feisty Side of Fifty. Love that name. And it suits her. She’s high spirited, sassy, and definitely living her second half with a vengeneance. (Check out her psychedelic T-shirts)

Eileen’s has finally packaged her twenty years’ combined experience as a job search specialist, career/life transition counselor, university instructor, and writer into career counseling session in work book form. It could not have come at a better time. I asked her to talk a bit about her new book and wondered if there are any bright spots on the horizon for midlife job seekers in this current–and eternal I think– youth obsessed  age.

What follows are Eileen’s thoughts.

Midlife With a Vengeance is all about wellbeing and thriving as we age. Gregory Anne consistently provides us with a wealth of information to keep our bodies and minds active and energetic. In truth, radiant health should be at the top of each of our lists. However, even if our bodies are healthy and strong, it’s hard to feel our best if we’re unemployed and feeling discouraged about future job prospects.

Day after day, we’re bombarded with depressing news: the job market is described with words such as “bleak,” “slow to recover,” and “with limited prospects.” This, we’re told, is especially true for the older applicant.

Despite what we hear, this is NOT the case. Older workers have plenty to offer: great experience, highly developed skills, a mature work ethic, and a substantial network of coworkers, clients, and customers. Nevertheless, older jobseekers do have certain challenges in knowing how to market themselves in today’s competitive job market. The job search has changed tremendously over the past several years and, if you’re not up on the latest, you’ll be left in the dust.

As a job search specialist with twenty years’ experience assisting thousands of midlife applicants find work, I wanted to help. So I wrote a book sharing key insider techniques that will make a huge difference in getting a job. Following the suggestions in Land The Job You Love: 10 Surefire Strategies for Jobseekers Over 50, now available on Amazon, is guaranteed to save you time, money, and loads of frustration.

Remember the good news—the workforce is aging. Workers over fifty represent one of the fastest growing labor groups in the country and you’ll fit right in. But to stand out as the candidate of choice, you’ll need to know the Surefire Strategies:

•              The proven formula to best articulate your skill sets and back them up with winning examples of you performing your work at its best.

•              The most effective method to use personal contacts to network your way into targeted organizations where you’ll build key alliances in your search.

•              The very best resume format for older applicants and how to highlight critical skills and accomplishments so that they literally leap off the page.

•              How to prepare for and ace the interview: the all important first impression, knowing how to answer questions to peak the interviewer’s interest, handling behavioral style questions, and getting the job offer.

•              The strategies to negotiate a win/win deal.

Armed with the right information, job search strategies that really work, and a winning attitude, you’ll be amazed at how quickly your search will progress. So don’t get discouraged by the news—take action! Before you know it, you’ll be telling your friends just how you landed the job you love!

Mary Eileen Williams, M.A., NCC has twenty years’ combined experience as a job search specialist, career/life transition counselor, university instructor, and writer. She also has a popular blog and radio show called, Feisty Side of Fifty. Get your copy of Land the Job You Love on Amazon.