Ideas for professionals who want a mid-career change.
It’s never too late to pursue your dream job!
Joblist’s Midlife Career Crisis survey revealed more people are changing their profession to follow their own passion, experience better work-life balance, and get higher salaries. Three-quarters of the professionals who took the risk and changed their careers felt happier and more satisfied after the shift.
A career change is one way to seek fulfillment during your mid-life, so it’s important to give yourself the best chance for success. Before you shift to a different profession, you need to properly plan for your transition.
LHH’s guide to pursuing career shifts highlights the need to set a timeline to achieve your goal of getting your dream job in your 50s. By plotting a timeline for your career change, you can make the necessary preparations needed for your job applications. During this transitionary period, take the time to update or even improve your resume. Career development strategist Nickquolette Barrett recommended making your resume ageless by highlighting jobs relevant to your dream role.
Rather than highlighting the long list of jobs you’ve had over the years, focus on skills, talents, and accomplishments that make you an asset to your new career. Emphasize the results of your projects to show your record as a valuable employee.
Wondering what kind of opportunities you can pursue? Here are five jobs to get you thinking!
Administrative Services Manager
If you’re looking for a less stressful leadership role, try shifting to a career in administrative service management. Candidates are expected to have at least a bachelor’s degree, but you can stand out by getting credentials from the International Facility Management Association. Candidates with these credentials have better performance appraisal scores and customer satisfaction ratings, since the courses teach core competencies in leadership, communication, and management.
Consultant
You can achieve a better work-life balance within your industry by switching from a full-time position to a consultancy role. Consultants are often in control of their own schedule. To get the best consultancy positions, you need to leverage your industry experience or even connect with your previous employers.
Educator
You can also put your industry knowledge and experience into good use by pursuing a career in education. Your on-the-ground experience in the field will be valuable to educational institutions who want to provide relevant knowledge to their students. Flexible employment options are also abundant in the educational sector, since post-secondary schools often hire professionals on a part-time basis, while other professionals can opt to teach online courses.
Financial Planner
Midlife professionals have a lot of knowledge regarding business and personal finances. Ryan Sullivan of Hartford Funds said numerous investment firms seek out career changers who have been successful in their respective industries. Your skills in networking and marketing will also be crucial, since there is a large sales component to the role. However, you’ll experience greater success if you use your financial planning skills to improve your clients’ quality of life.
Innkeeper
Now that more individuals are traveling again, various inns, hotels, and bed-and-breakfasts need experienced professionals who can welcome and assist their guests in their dreamy mountainside or beachfront locations. Career changers coming from a business management or hospitality background are great candidates for this role. You’ll also need great communication skills, since you’ll be providing instructions and directions to people from all over the world.
Scoring your dream job is well within reach, especially if you know how to present yourself as a valuable professional. By showcasing your skills and experience, you can find fulfillment in a new career and stage of your life.
