Ask a Career Coach: How to Make a Career Change at Any Age
Want to make a career change? There is no easy answer. Whether you're 30, 40 or 50 something and looking for a new challenge, the prospect of making a career change can be daunting. A career change is never easy. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, and what works for one person might not work for another. But it is possible.
The most important thing is to be crystal clear about what you want, and why you want it. Once you have that clarity, the rest will fall into place.
If you don’t have clarity about what you want… guess what? You won’t have the career and the new challenging next role that you truly crave. You need to get clear about what you want before anything else.
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How do you know you are ready for a career change?
A career change is when you make a significant shift in your job or line of work. This can be anything from changing industries to taking on a new role within the same company. It usually involves learning new skills and knowledge, which can be both exciting and daunting.
There is no one definitive answer to this question. It is different for everyone. For some people, they may have a clear idea of what they want to do and how to go about making the change. Others may feel like they are at a crossroads in their career and are not sure which direction to take.
Some signs that you might be ready for a change include feeling stagnant or unfulfilled in your current role, wanting more challenge or responsibility, or simply wanting to try something new. If you have been thinking about making a change for a while, it might be time to start exploring your options.
Here’s what most people do
Applying online to every job that they see
Accepting roles that don’t match their education, experience and salary expectations
Scrolling through job search boards looking for jobs and hoping that it will “work out”
Not having a vision or plan for their career
Feeling sorry for themselves
The reason why most people don’t end up making a successful career change is because they don’t have the right mindset. They go into it thinking that it will be easy, and that they’ll just “ figure it out” as they go. But the truth is, making a career change is hard work. It takes dedication, determination and a lot of hard work.
If you want to make a career change, you need to be prepared to put in the work. You need to have a plan, and you need to be willing to hustle.
By the way, chances are they're doing all this because it feels safe. Does this sound familiar? Or perhaps you’re frustrated with your job search and have no clue about what to do anymore.
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What you can do?
Here are six key steps that you can take now to make a successful career change:
Have the right mindset
Define what success looks like for you
Get crystal clear about your short and long-term goals
Create a job search strategy
Position yourself to set yourself up for success
Build a strong network of contacts
Take action now and use these steps to help you make a successful career change. It’s never too late to make a change, and it’s never too late to achieve your dreams.
Be honest with yourself. What is it that you really want? If you’re not sure, sit down and spend some time thinking about it. Grab a pen and paper, and write down everything that comes to mind. Brainstorm all of the different options and possibilities. Once you have a good list, start to narrow it down. What are the must-haves? What are the deal-breakers?
Why do you want it? Your why is your motivation. It’s what will keep you going when things get tough. When you’re feeling lost, or like you’re not sure if you can do it, your why will be there to remind you of your purpose.
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By following these simple steps, you can increase your chances of making a successful career change. And remember, it may not be easy, but it can be one of the best decisions you ever make. With careful planning, preparation and execution, it is possible to make the switch to a new and exciting career. Good luck!
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