Top 10 Mid-Life Career Change Tips

There are a variety of reasons you may consider a mid-life career change. For some people it is a general discontent with the career they are currently enjoying. Life is too short to spend your days doing something that does not inspire and excite you, right? For others, a career change is forced due to the economy, so it is more necessity than the phase of their life.

Either way, the following tips will help you successfully implement this career change with as few setbacks as possible:

1. Do not expect your mid-life career change to be easy and hassle-free. Very few people are able to change careers at any point in life without some obstacles to leap over. Predict what your obstacles may be, and plan how you will get by them in advance.

2. Get to know the field you want to move into, and what education and experience requirements are standard. If you don’t have the skills required for the new field, then you will have to take some courses or perhaps go back for a degree. Not everyone enjoys the thought of going back to school or taking certification courses in mid-life. If you are one of them, this attitude will limit your new career options. You will have to find a career that works with the qualifications you currently offer.

3. While you may want to make a mid-life career change based on your passions and interests, you have to keep your financial needs in mind as well. Do not get so caught up in finding a job you love that you do not consider whether that job will pay your bills.

4. You must be realistic about health concerns you may have now. For example, someone who always wanted to swim with the dolphins may decide to move to Florida to pursue that dream career. Unfortunately, if they have a medical condition that limits the time they can spend in the water, they won’t be well suited to the job. Make sure you can physically do the job now and in the future before making your career move.

5. Have someone help you with your resume. You need a killer resume to get any job today, and that includes those in their mid-life. Resume designs and standards have changed considerably over the years, and you don’t want anyone to tell your age by looking at your resume!

6. Look for organizations and trade associations in the field you want to enter, and see if they have options for helping you find a job. They may also offer networking opportunities or conventions where you can network. This is an invaluable resource if you do not know anyone working in the field you want to enter.

7. You will have to put yourself out there and interact with others to successfully carry off a career change. This new job will not fall into your lap in our current economy. If it does come falling.do not hesitate, catch it immediately because it won’t last long.

8. Consider working with a career counselor or another professional. They can give you personal advice based on your resume.

9. Do not underestimate the value of the Internet. If you can start networking online, you can reach far more people with potential job opportunities in your new career path.

10. Never go into a mid-life career change without a plan in place. You have to know where you are going and believe that you are a good fit to the new career field. Otherwise, you could get a rude awakening and end up without a career. Do not move from your current position until you know where you are going and have some signs that the career change will be successful.

A mid-life career change may not be an easy thing to accomplish, but it is not impossible. If you are realistic about what you are doing and select the right career path for your future, you will likely be successful. It just might not be an immediate success.