Until fairly recently, most people started their working lives in a career and stayed in the same line of work until retirement. Nowadays, however, many individuals find themselves at a career crossroads half way through life, sometimes out of the blue. This type of unexpected transition can feel quite confusing and disheartening at first, but often represents a change for the better. If you keep the following points in mind, you may find the career switch less stressful and more inspiring than you expect.
Tip 1: Ask Yourself the Most Important Question
Arguably the most exciting part of changing careers midway through life is the chance to ask yourself this burning question one more time: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Many of us only get to ask that question once — you, however, get to ask it a second time.
If you spent any time at all wondering why you'd chosen a particular career path before, now's the time to reselect your destiny. If you ask yourself where you want to go next, you can create an action plan and move forward accordingly.
Tip 2: Understand Your Priorities
Everybody has different priorities in life. Perhaps you have a second mortgage you want to pay off; maybe your finances are looser and you want to explore the world. The job you choose should accommodate your particular needs, whether they are financial or material. By making a list of fundamental job characteristics in order of priority, you can easily decide which positions to apply for and which to avoid.
Tip 3: Make Use of the Internet
The Internet can be a great source of information for midlife job seekers. You can discover new career paths, examine training courses in detail and even apply to jobs. You can also use the Internet to connect with other job seekers like you via forums dedicated to midlife career change. Camaraderie may offer hope and inspiration at this important juncture.
Tip 4: Look at the Jobs Market
Some jobs are popular and highly desirable: as a consequence, a large number of applicants vie for a select number of positions. If you stay focused only on one or two occupations, you might find yourself continually disappointed.
Thankfully, you can beat the popular-job blues with a little strategy. Instead of focusing only on your dream vocation, try to look at the jobs market holistically. The health care sector, for example, is projected to expand almost exponentially over the next decade or so. Have you ever wanted to be a nurse? If so, now might be the time to start training.
Tip 5: Embrace Learning
Great news for inquisitive minds: midlife career changes open the door to great learning opportunities. Perhaps you feel a hands-on vocation is right for you. Maybe you find technology interesting and want to learn about code. Either way, you'll find many resources both online and offline to help you in your goal. Some courses, like plumbing, are very hands-on. Other subjects, like coding, can be taught online, so they're easy to learn about at home.
Tip 6: Do the Two-Step
If you can, consider changing careers in two steps. If you want to travel down a new vocational path, you might choose to learn about your new job and perhaps even accept an additional part-time position before switching careers entirely. Gaining experience in the new field before applying for the job you ultimately want can give you an advantage with hiring managers.
If you do the "career two-step," you can give your new career a test run before committing to it. You may also find it easier to find a good employer. If you're lucky, your part-time gig might turn into a full-time job, allowing you to switch smoothly from one workplace to the next.
Tip 7: Consult a Professional
If you plan to make a major career change, you might feel better in the company of professionals. A career counselor or life coach can help you identify the skills you already have, set learning goals and provide support throughout. Financial planners can help you determine future salary requirements and can give you advice about retirement plans and insurance options. In short, professionals can help you feel more stable as you make your career switch.
Tip 8: Be Brave
When it's time to hand in your notice, stand tall and keep your future goals in mind. This is a step up, not a step down. Remember the enthusiasm with which you've prepared for this life change and let it buoy you through the transition. You never know — your excitement might inspire someone else to take the leap.
Tip 9: Write Your Memoir
If you're still unsure of your overall purpose and don't quite know where to look for a job, try writing your memoir. Start from the beginning and try to remember what you wanted to be as a child and what inspired you as a young adult. Don't chastise yourself for having "unrealistic" dreams: instead, use your memories of youthful exuberance as a springboard for career-centric exploration.
Tip 10: Stay Positive
You may find yourself feeling frustrated or bored as you look for the right job. The longer you have to wait, the more important it is to nurture your sense of enthusiasm. Some people affirm themselves in the mirror every morning, while others write lists to keep themselves busy. Whatever you choose, pay continuous attention to your mindset throughout the exercise. If you feel yourself starting to falter, give yourself the nourishment you need to stay strong, forward-thinking and positive.
Maybe you've been forced into a career change because of a layoff; perhaps you've made the choice to change vocations after many years in a rut. Either way, this transition has the potential to transform your life for the better. You get to carve out a brand new career, possibly from scratch — and that clean white canvas might be just what you need to thrive.
Photo Courtesy of xiaojx at Flickr.com
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