Is it Ever too Late for a Career Change?

Is it ever too late for a career change?  The majority of individuals change their career at some point during their working life, sometimes two, three or even four times.  But is it always the right thing to do?

Let’s first look at why you may want a career change.

• Is your field still relevant in today’s world.  An example of this would be technology.  Are you an expert in a technological field that is now obsolete?
• Is your maximum earning potential in the field meeting your needs and the needs of your family?
• Do you fundamentally still enjoy what you are doing?
• Are there opportunities for advancement in your current position or field?
• Have you identified another field that is more appealing to you?

Once you have answered those questions and have established that you do in fact need/want a career change, then you have to look at the right time to do it.  Should you do it earlier, say in your 30’s, or wait until you are in your 40’s, after  you have gained more expertise and developed transferrable skills.

If you do make a change, is it worth starting at the bottom again?  Taking an entry level position?  Is that worth it?  The next question to ask yourself is, is it worth it to stay in a job that is unfulfilling and not providing what you need.  Regardless of what is motivating the desire to change, you have to do what is right for you.

Maybe starting over doesn’t mean starting at the bottom.  Regardless of the type of change you are making, you would have gained significant skills in your current and previous positions, which are transferrable skills.  The key to the change is:

• Identifying what transferrable skills you have that will benefit an organization in your new field.
• Identifying what additional skills you will require and take steps to get those skills.

How do you find out what skills you already have and what additional skills you need?

• Research.  Research the industry and the organization to which you are moving, and find out what you can bring to the table that will benefit them.
• Identify your gaps.  Take proactive steps to close those gaps so when the time comes to start applying for jobs, you are one step ahead.
• Take training.  What training can you take that will meet the essential skills that are required.  Can you upgrade your education?
• Job shadow.  See if there are any job shadowing opportunities in the field.
• Network.  Talk to people who work in the field and see if they can provide any advice or guidance.

Making a change at any time, whether it is career oriented or not, can be very intimidating and unsettling.   There may be financial implications during the transition for which you will have to prepare.  Make sure that your family is onboard and supporting the  move.  And if you feel you need additional help on the way, don’t be afraid to reach out to an experienced  Certified Professional Career Coach who has expertise in this area. Being well prepared to make the change will go a long way to making the transition smoother.

Do you know someone who is currently challenged with a career  decision? Feel free to share this post by using the share links at the top of this page. Also, if you’d like more career change assistance, feel free to check out the career coaching resource page.