As you know, a mid-life career change can be a difficult project. There is a need to think about possible consequences before making the change. The rewards you are after should offer you job satisfaction. Moreover, they ought to fulfill both your financial and personal needs.
There are several reasons for midlife career changes. One of them is that your stay in the current career has not made you achieve success. You should note that staying in a job that you are not comfortable with makes you miserable and disillusioned. You may have also heard that you should not change your career because of your age.
The truth is that leaving your career for another but wrong reason will not solve problems. Instead, it will just transport them to the new career. The following are steps to follow in a midlife career change:
Midlife career change tips
Understand where you are
You need to consider the current career you are in. Is it possible to make the situation much better? Can the same employer transfer you to another career? Is it the career or employer who is the problem? If the current employer is the problem, then stay in the same career and switch to another employer.
Research and self-assessment
You need to review your knowledge and skills. What do you like doing? Do you have interests which can translate into a new career? Are there things you enjoy doing? What knowledge and skills do you require in your prospective career? Are there possible gaps you must fill before changing your career?
It is necessary to gather useful information about the prospective careers by talking to people currently working in your area of specialization. After analyzing the situation, you need to look at your dislikes and likes and define your direction as far as building your career is concerned.
Skills
Do you have useful skills that you can bring to the new career? This is because the new proposed career may need additional knowledge and skills. With your previous experience, you can find transferable skills to the new career. Accomplishments and skills in leadership, problem-solving, project management and communications can be taken in your new career. Thus, you need to list such skills on the cover letter and resume helping you get noticed.
Adding education and qualifications
After identifying a possible career, you need to look at normal qualifications and skills required. Certain careers require particular education or training.…