Career Change In My 40s

Present Your Age As A Positive

First, its worth noting theres no legal requirement to include your age on your resume you dont need to put emphasis on age at all.

Unfortunately, though, ageism is a real form of discrimination that does exist in the job market. What you can do is be ready to focus on all the positives of where youre at now in your working life and what you could bring to an organisation, and be proactive if you suspect ageism is at play.

Focus on experience from your previous career, life experience, transferable skills, financial and financial stability, and diversity, says Erin Devlin, managing director of people2people Victoria.

Its also a good idea to explain your motivation, show youre making a considered move. If the employer can understand that youre changing careers on purpose, then they are more likely to consider your background, Devlin says.

If you feel that your age is holding you back, take the chance to think about the skills and traits that have come with your years of experience, the range of people youve worked with and the changes youve seen in your industry and look at how you can highlight these to a potential employer.

Read more: Ask Sabina: How can I combat age discrimination in my job search?

How To Change Careers In Your 40s 50s And 60s

Its one thing to switch direction early on in your career. But changing careers when youre well established can feel like a bigger leap.

A career change in your 40s, 50s or 60s and beyond can come with its own challenges. But some clever planning and preparation can help you make the change, and transition more smoothly into what you really want to do.

And the good thing is, if youre considering a career change well into your working life, youve probably got the drive and passion to help you see it through.

Here are some tips to help you.

Benefits Of Starting A New Career At 40

There are many benefits to starting a new career at 40. Now that you have more experience, you have a much better idea of your likes, dislikes, and talents than you did when you first entered the workforce. You also have a better understanding of your ideal schedule and lifestyle. In short, you know what you want, need, and expect from a job.

Here are some benefits of starting a new career at 40:

• Increased work satisfaction

Recommended Reading: Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor Career

You Have To Start Over At The Bottom

While you may not be able to move directly into a senior level position in your new field, dont discount the amount of experience, skills, and talents youve developed throughout your current career. You have an arsenal of tools at your disposal in the form of skills such as clear communication, tech savviness and time management – which are valuable attributes in any workplace.

Add Fuel To Your Experiments

For most people changing careers involves working part-time at building a new work identity. Meanwhile, they still earn a living with the old one.

I call this a Bridge Experience. This phase can be a patchwork of experiences and jobs, and it can take a long time. You may be tempted to give up and just go back to your old career.

Fortunately, there are ways to speed up the process and stay motivated when things get tough.

Enlist support

Its incredibly hard to go through a major life transition on your own and career change at 40 is a big one. You will get mired in self-doubt, lose perspective, and get discouraged.

Outside perspectives are essential. Enlist the support of role models, advisors, a career transition coach, and cheerleaders. Meet with these people often.

Choose your support team wisely dont include people who rely on your salary and stability. They mean well, but cant be relied upon for impartial advice.

And the same goes for anyone who consistently offers negative comments, no matter how close your friendship. When you step out and start following the beat of your own drum, you will trigger naysayers. Their fear-based thinking and doomsday advice is not what you need right now.

Find new connections and experiences

The people who helped in your previous career wont necessarily be the best guides in your new one. Reach out and make at least three to five new connections.

Make time for reflection

Also Check: What Is Armed Forces Career Center

Add Fuel To Each Experiment

Most people initiate a career change by working part-time building a new identity while earning a living with their old identity. This phase is known as the Bridge Experience.

Its made up of a series of experiences and it can take several years. You might find yourself thinking of going back to your old career. However, you can easily speed up the process and motivate yourself when things get hard. You need to:

Find Support

Its quite difficult to go through a huge transition in life alone, especially at 40. You might get discouraged, doubt yourself, and lose perspective. To avoid this, you need to find support. Look for advisors, role models, and a coach. Meet with them as much as you can.

Choose these people wisely. You should avoid including people who rely on your stability. While they always mean well, they can be impartial. The same applies to people who are always negative. Their negativity can cloud your thinking.

Find Time to Reflect

Youll miss lots of opportunities if all you do is work and experiment. You need downtime for your brain to process all the experiences that youve been through.

Take a nap, go on vacation or take a walk. In most instances, new insights usually appear during idle time. Dont let others think for you. You have a brain that needs to be used.

Why A Career Change At 40 Is A Good Idea

Without a doubt, its never too late to make a career change even if youre making a career change at 40. It doesnt matter how old you are you can still change your industry, profession, and skillset. The Great Resignation is upon us, and millions of people are considering changing careers. COVID-19 upended our lives. And for many of us, it changed the way we perceive our future!

• Did you know that 29 percent of people have completely changed their fields after college graduation?
• 39 percent of people suggests a salary increase is the main factor for a career change
• 21 percent of people suggest an interest in a different field is the reason for a career change
• 20 percent of people are looking for upward mobility
• A poll from Gallup suggested that 85 percent of people are unhappy in their jobs, and only 15 percent of people are currently engaged at work

You might be in any of those categories, and thats okay! Throughout history, there are various famous success stories from people who found success later in life, here are just a few examples.

Don’t Miss: Medical Billing And Coding Career Outlook

Reason : I Have Too Many Responsibilities To Take A Risk

And there is always the risk of judgment when you make a big change. Yes, some people will say you are having a midlife crisis. Why dont you buy a motorcycle and get on with it?

The good news is that you can explore a new career safely, without quitting your job and burning through your savings. Its not all or nothing thats a career change myth.

This guide will show you a path to transition slowly and build confidence as you go.

Dont Be Put Off By A Pay Cut

Everyones financial situation is different, which means on a practical level, some people can more readily take a reduction in pay than others. That aside, dont think of a pay cut as any kind of failure or a step backwards in your career because thats not necessarily the case.A lot of our research shows that pay and money are of course important motivations but they are not the top, says Dr Naeema. Things like job satisfaction and even if the organisation was aligned to our values meant more than higher pay. Dropping salary to start a new career path is very common, she adds.

Recommended Reading: Us Career Institute Medical Assistant Program

Examples Of Successful Career Leaps*

*that didnt require A HUGE CASH INJECTION.

Mmmm?

Career changes that involve a leap into the unknown, without making tweaks first, are far and few between. The internet would have you believe that individuals resign from their first career on a Friday, and hit the jackpot in their second career overnight. Its a myth.

Upskill With Formal Education

Gone are the days when tertiary education was just for school-leavers. Nearly half of all university students in Australia are mature-aged, and of those, 67% work and study at the same time. These statistics show it is possible to begin working toward a new career while youre still employed.

If your new career field requires specific skills or education, consider taking on a part-time university or TAFE course to give yourself a head-start before you leave your current role.

There are also great online resources and short courses, such as , which provide certifications you can include in your resume to boost your appeal when applying for jobs.

You May Like: Career Coach Los Angeles Ca

Online Course Or Ebook Seller

A job as an online seller, where you take a product, homemade or otherwise, and sell it as a side-hustle until you can gain sufficient momentum to pursue it full time, is a good career option or women over 40, says Simon. Some ideas include tutoring lessons eBooks” in your area of expertise.

Check out…

Notice You Are Disengaged

Since you are reading this article, you are likely feeling unfulfilled. When you are feeling unfulfilled, you will be disengaged. But if you are undecided, you are not ready to make the change that is needed.

Before making the best career change at 40, you have to change. If you are unhappy in the workplace, you have to want to do things differently and resolve to take action.

Youll start making progress the day you decide to change. Therefore, dont wish. You have all it takes to make things happen. You can start your career transition today by finding the best new careers at 40, marking your calendar, and being decisive.

Read Also: Career Counselling For Experienced Professionals

What’s Good About Making A Career Change

Many people report an increase in confidence when they turn 40. Could there be a better time to make a career change than when you feel like you can take on whatever comes your way?

If you are planning to retire, as many people do, at 65, you still have 25 years of work in your future. Even if it takes you a couple of years to prepare for a different occupation, you will have over two decades left to spend a satisfying career, if all goes as planned. And if due to financial needs, you have to work until you are over 65, you will be thankful to be doing something you enjoy.

A career change will affect your life, health, and relationships. Not only is being in the wrong career stressful, deciding whether to make the transition can be overwhelming. Once you figure out what you are going to do, it will probably come as a great relief.

Career Change At 40 Faq

Which tech jobs can I transition to without a degree at 40?

A career in tech does not require a college degree. Therefore, there are many options available to you. They include web development, data analytics, network engineering, cyber security analyst, UI/UX design, DevOps engineering, network engineering, and product management.

How can I prepare for a career change at 40?

You must save enough money to cover the time you spend training and searching for a new job. You must do your research, choose a learning path, and prepare yourself mentally by taking free prep courses. Finally, you must debunk all fears and keep a positive attitude.

What entrepreneurial career paths can I transition into at 40?

If you wish to establish an entrepreneurial career, there are numerous options available. These include event planning, real estate broker, sales, writing and proofreading, financial adviser, and many more. Some more IT-related options are web development, UI/UX design, and cyber security analyst, among many others.

Will I get a job after a career change at 40?

Being a career changer at 40 does not stop or limit your chances of getting hired. It gives you an edge because of your background, professional experience, and already established network. Like every other age group, you need a strategic job search plan, a strong resume, and excellent interviewing skills.

What’s Next?

Don’t Miss: How To Start Devops Career

Does Going Back To School Scare You It Shouldnt Heres Why:

With age comes experience. That experience can be beneficial when going back to school later in life. When theories, processes, or practices are discussed in your courses, you can apply them to things youve experienced, accomplished, or previously encountered at home or work. This can make them easier to understand because you have a point of reference.

Your life experiences can also help you deal with situations you may face on the job more effectively. Imagine that you decide to switch careers and go into a position within the dental field. During one of your first few weeks on your new job, you encounter a patient who has a lot of anxiety about the upcoming procedure. You could draw on your own experiences in life and offer a few tips that have worked for you in the past when youve faced similar levels of anxiousness, such as taking deep breaths, for instance. Your experiences become an asset because they give you a bigger toolbox from which to draw when you need it.

Research has also connected learning new skills later in life with better brain function. In one study, older adults engaged in a new activity for three months, spending roughly 16 ½ hours per week on that activity. At the end of the study, their memory had improved.2 Another study connected general mental stimulation not only with greater working memory but also with the ability to process things at faster speeds.3

You Have More Expenses

You might have to take a pay cut or transition to an entry-level job, so keep this in mind: the cost of living for a 40-year-old is higher than when you were younger. Gone are the days when you could handle a week straight of 99 cent noodles.

You will need a plan to cover the mortgage, healthcare, and other bills and expenses. At the same time, you wont necessarily have to take an entry-level position, if you can tell a good story about the relevance of your skills and experiences.

Read Also: Career Path For Executive Assistant

Career Paths To Consider For A Change At 40

Related: How to Change Industries or Careers With No Experience

In this video, Jenn, a certified career coach, shares advice for making a career change including the best way to address it on a job application.

The need for a career change can be a turning point to evaluate your work-life balance, follow your passion or just try something new. Choosing the right career path that aligns with your experience and interests can offer a rewarding way to succeed at age 40 and beyond. If youre considering a career change after age 40, this article can help you identify potential roles and explain how to make the switch.

The following positions favor a career change in your 40s. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, click on each salary link below:

What Are The Best Careers To Start In Your 40s

What are the best careers for people over 40 to consider as a midlife career change? Here are a few suggestions that can help individuals feel financially secure as well as satisfied.

Also Check: Career Guidance For Software Engineers

Make Use Of Old Contacts

Bigstock

Being on this earth for over 40 years probably means that you’ve met quite a few people. Whether it was on a plane, at a networking event, or even at the gym, chances are you know people in all walks of life. Make use of your professional network to find a path to your new career. Don’t make the mistake in thinking you have to do everything yourself.

Changing careers sounds scary when you don’t know where to start. If you are making the transition from working as an office assistant to running your own fashion line, it probably won’t happen overnight. Call up that fashion maven you’ve kept up with since college and invite them for coffee. Get some caffeine in them and start asking questions. Feed from those that are already successful instead of assuming you have to start from the bottom in order to succeed.

Switching careers in your 40s is not as daunting or difficult as you might think. Yes, you’ll need a plan and it might take some time, but after the transition is complete, you’ll be glad you did it.

Need more help with your career change?

Check out our FREE resources page!

Or, join our career growth club today and get access to one-on-one career coaching, resume and cover letter reviews, online tutorials, and unlimited networking opportunitiesall in your back pocket!

If you want FREE career advice in your inbox, The Daily Dose!

Struggling to find the right job?

This article was originally published at an earlier date.