Making a career change at any time is possible. You deserve to feel fulfilled at every stage of your career.
Perhaps your values and priorities have shifted since you began your career. Maybe you cannot imagine staying in your current field until you retire. Or, there is something you always had a passion for but did not pursue. You owe it to yourself to do what it takes to be happy.
Implement the followings tips to change your career later in life.
Determine Your Needs and Interests
Make a list of what you want from your next career.
- Focus on what makes work interesting for you. Include your age, health, skills and qualifications, and retirement plans.
- Use this information to write down the career options you want to learn more about.
Research Potential Careers
Narrow down your list to one or two career options.
- Research each choice to determine which one better fits your skills, experience, and interests.
- Include the professional paths, earning potential, effects of technology on jobs, and projected industry growth for each career option.
- Focus on which choice better aligns with your transferrable skills. This can reduce the need to spend time and money on training or certification.
- Look for similarities between your previous responsibilities and your potential ones. This can help you excel in your new career.
- Talk with members of your network about your plans for a new career. They may provide advice and guidance on how to proceed.
Research the Career Requirements
Find out the education, skills, and experience needed to begin your desired career.
- Focus on whether certification or licensing are needed to enter the industry.
- Use recent job postings to determine the qualifications employers are looking for.
- Set up informational interviews with professionals in the career you want. Ask for details about entering the field.
Develop Your Career Plan
Write down short- and long-term goals for your new career.
- Consider your age, health, and related factors that impact your ability to work.
- Create a file to organize employers, job postings, resumes, interview dates, networking events, and related issues. This can help track your progress.
Update Your Resume
Promote yourself as the best candidate for a role.
- Use the proper resume format, headings, subheadings, font style, and size.
- Tailor your resume to the position requirements.
- Point out how your transferrable skills can help you be successful in the role.
Partner with a Staffing Agency
Working with a recruiter from a staffing agency that specializes in your field can help you break into a new industry.
- Since you may prioritize more time for family or recreational activities over increased income, you might want temporary or contract work rather than a full-time job.
- Taking on temporary or contract work helps you build a network.
- Working with a staffing agency provides access to more opportunities than you would have on your own.
Get Help with Your Career Change
Corps Team is ready to help you change careers at any age. Visit our job board today.
