You can't find common ground with your coworkers or your boss. You've changed your personal goals, and your current job doesn't fit your plans anymore. You got interested in nearby job openings where the office is 5 minutes away from your place. You feel like you deserve more monetary reward or professional growth, but your role in the company is destined never to be changed. These are some of the reasons that can make you think of switching career paths.
Today we will share some tips on how to change careers and get unstuck at any age. Learn how to switch to your second career and start a new life.
But before we delve deeper, let's consider the available vocation switching opportunities.
Functional Career Change
A career change within the same industry with the switch of the role is a functional one. For example, you worked for the IT company as a technical writer but then decided that you'd better become a QA engineer. Here, you show interest in developing new skills rather than leveraging your old ones and staying within the same industry.
To successfully develop a second career, you may need a typical entry level education certificate and take some additional training courses.
Double Career Change
If you decide to alter both the role and industry, then you are making a double work change. For instance, a line cook follows their dream to become a lawyer.
In this case, the person quits both the cooking industry and specific skills to switch to a totally unrelated industry. When you are trying your luck in a new field in a different role, start preparing by taking courses or getting the required qualifications. These positions require at least entry-level education certificates or an associate degree. So find the program that you will be able to cover, you can consider an online school or local courses nearby.
Entrepreneurial Career Change
The person who's going to spread their commercial wings and start the business of their own is making an entrepreneurial change.
For example, a foreign language teacher working in a public school opens a private one to teach students during their out-of-school hours.
The switch to an entrepreneurial path can be done inside the same industry, or it can be completely unrelated to your former sphere and based just on your interests, hobbies, or passions.
If you make up your mind to become an entrepreneur, surf the net because you can find lots of valuable information there.
"Where there's a will, there's a way." That's what the proverb says, and we can't but agree with it. We are going to prove you are responsible for your future and can change it even when you're in your midlife.
Career Switch at 30
If you are wondering how to start a new career at 30, here are quick clues to make an exciting change and boost your chances for success and happier life.
Point out your transferable job skills that might be useful in your new vocation or industry.
Analyze what's lacking in your current role and think of what you expect from your future job.
Try to define where you would like to be in 5 years and what you'd do to reach your aims.
Create a list of your strengths, desires, plans for the future, and think of possible careers that would match it.
Narrow down your list of careers and choose the one you find the most appealing.
Get prepared financially since switching may involve some training or time for self-investigation.
Switching Career Paths at 35
A lot of tips about how to change careers at 30 could be transferred to your switch at 35. We will add some more recommendations we find productive.
Think of the possibility to consider moving to other job positions you find more promising within your current company.
Ask someone who already works in the niche to give you a chance to help them, so you acquire the desired skills and get a taste for a particular line of work.
Start your path in a new field with a side hustle so you can gain more experience before you start working full time.
Consider online education since it gives opportunities to study at any convenient time and get a certificate or degree that would empower your resume.
Invest in a career coach who will help you define your direction, find new connections, or give recommendations for skills to hone before you start a new job search.
Get in touch with headhunters in the industry you are going to work in to learn what are the requirements (skills, qualifications, certificates) for the candidates.
How to Change Careers at 40
A midlife career change at 40 can be easy and rewarding if you do it smoothly. Combine these tips with the previous clues and get ready to start the fastest growing career journey in front of you.
Be confident, and don't be afraid of the difficulties and obstacles that might discourage you from switching.
Find the balance between your responsibilities (mortgage, car payment, raising funds for your kid's education) and new job opportunities without taking too much risk.
Practice self-assessment and choose the new role wisely: give preference to the position that does not require much training and educational investments.
Examine if your new job's salary will cover all expenses, allow for savings, and let you do things you enjoy.
Consider if the opportunity gives a chance for projected job growth from the perspective of your plans and the end goal.
Build a network, so when you decide to switch, you already know who might help you with your job search.
Career Switching at 45
Some say the older you become, the harder it is to change your vocation. With these tips, you will now estimate whether you need to move to a new job at 45.
Transfer your skills and experience you were lucky to gain within your previous occupation to your new role or industry.
Determine your goal. It should be specific, measurable, and actionable, like "I want to have flexible working hours, work from home with $40 000+ annual income."
Estimate if you have financial opportunities to take risks and posses enough savings for the rainy day in case your new earnings don't meet your expectations on the first try.
Check if you have the needed degrees, qualifications, certifications, or licenses for the move since you won't have much time and money to invest in self-development.
Write a plan for your job transition with deadlines to keep track of your progress and make sure you are moving in the right direction.
How to Switch Careers at 50
Have a sense of purpose, explore what makes you happy, and match it with the new job opportunities.
Take time to consider things you would like to be doing for the rest of your working days.
Let your family, friends, relatives know about the changes you are going to have in your life and ask for their support.
Team up with younger people to be up-to-date with new hiring trends and job offers.
Don't limit yourself to full-time employment, you may also enjoy part-time work, temp work, and self-employment.
Stay flexible and be ready to adjust and change when switching to a new professional path.
Be realistic and have faith that you will end up in the right place regardless of your age. But sometimes you need help from professionals to prepare for changes. Our company will happily help you overcome challenges you may have with your resume, LinkedIn account, or cover letter. We assist job seekers in pursuing their dream by providing them with powerful and winning resumes and cover letters that help them to stand out from other candidates.