How to Change Careers at 40 or 50 Years Old

Making a career switch at 40 or 50 isn’t as rare as you think. In this post, we explore how to switch up your career path at the mid-career level, including how to revamp your resume and LinkedIn page, the importance of networking, and more.?

By Brandi Fowler

When you hit 40 or 50, you may have an urge to make a change within your career.

The average retirement age is 61 in 2022, according to a Gallup poll , but reinventing yourself at the mid-career level is not impossible or a bad idea.??

If you have considered it, you are not alone.

According to a Novoresume survey of older workers, 82% of respondents successfully switched to a new career after age 45. Meanwhile, 80% of people over age 45 consider a change in careers, but only 6% of them pursue it.

“I think people want to change careers at 40 and 50 because they have this newfound confidence,” said career clarity coach Ebony Joyce . “You have this new sense of clarity.”?

“You do the hard work earlier in your career and then you get to the point where you are like, ‘I can do the things I want to do.’ We do the things we are told to do, and now we get to do the things that we want to do.”

I chatted with Joyce and Wonsulting CEO Jonathan Javier to learn more about how to change careers at the mid-career age.

Start With a Self-Assessment When Determining How to Change Careers at 40 or 50 years old

Pinpoint the type of career and job opportunities you desire before beginning your job search.?

“You have to identify what job you want and skills you have,” Javier said. “I hear some people who say, ‘I want to switch from sales to engineering.’ It is a little more difficult if it is not transferable skills, because that is from a non-tech role. You have to identify first the role that you want to get into and if it is actually feasible for your skills to be transferable.

“So let’s say you want to go from sales to operations. Those are very similar fields and they have transferable skills compared to something like sales engineering. Those are totally different skill [sets].”

One of the best ways to do that is with a self-assessment.?

“The first thing people need to do is an assessment and that requires self-reflection,” Joyce said. “Figure out, ‘What do I want to do? What do I like to do? What do I not like to do?’ Then, in that assessment, identify what your values are, what your nonnegotiables are.?

“You have to get that clarity and understanding and be able to identify those things. So when those things do come up, you can say, ‘I know this is a no for me’ versus still having that doubt and being unsure.”

Determine the Skills You Need to Change Careers at 40 or 50 Years Old

Discover the skills needed for your next career stage and gain them.?

“You can do your own projects,” Javier said. “You can take courses, whether it's through LinkedIn Learning, Udacity. Then, add them throughout your resume to showcase you have taken the steps to learn more about that specific skill and role.”

As you implement the changes you need to pursue your new career path, investigate the career path, Joyce said.?

“Most people see a job and say ‘I think this will be great,’ Joyce said. “Then they apply, they do all the resume things and then end up frustrated because they are like, ‘Why is this not working?’

“They haven't done the career exploration or the investigation. Have conversations with people in those new fields you now find interesting, because a job description is just that. Every job description varies so much based on the industry that you want to go into.”?

Break down what type of company you want to work for too, whether it is a small company, start-up, or major corporation, Joyce said.?

“It is hard work, and I think people would rather say, ‘I'll just rather spend the next 25 years doing this, rather than doing that hard work or allowing something to just fall in their lap,” Joyce said. “You have to take charge.”

Next, revamp your resume and LinkedIn page. Show your skills can be transferable to your next career path and roles you are pursuing.?

“If you are making this transition, what is old doesn't necessarily apply to who you are,” Joyce said. “You don't have to get rid of it, but you have to understand those transferable skills. It is not about you having the experience. It is more about the education, the expertise, and all those things that come along with it.?

“People say, ‘I have never done HR before.’ Well, you have been in a leadership role before. You have hired people before. People discount what they have done in the past and try to create this whole new thing. You are not starting from zero because you have experience. Let's add to that.”

Network Within Your Network and Beyond When Changing Careers at Mid-Career Level?

Networking is key as you make a new career transition.?

“Network with people who are in the roles you want to get into and that share a common ground,” Javier said. “[Also, network with] the hiring managers for the roles you are interested in.?

“[For example], if you want to be a data analyst, you should search ‘data analyst’ on LinkedIn. Then, find a commonality between you and the person you want to connect with. One of those commonalities could be you are both parents.”

Also, search LinkedIn to find hiring managers and recruiters, Javier said. You can do this in the same way you search for new connections. Search “recruiter” and a role for the keyword, like “data analyst”.?

“You will find all the people who are recruiters, who are recruiting for data analysts right now, and it will tell you the exact skills and qualifications you need on your resume,” Javier said. “Make sure those [skills/qualifications] are throughout your resume.”?

Javier also suggested messaging recruiters instead of just applying online.?

“Reach out to that hiring manager and express your skills and qualifications,” Javier said. “The reason why they would respond is the reason why they are making a post [about hiring for a position]. They can't find any qualified candidates. So, imagine you being that qualified candidate, helping them do their jobs.”

Also, don’t be afraid to find mentors to help guide you. When reaching out to potential mentors, find similarities you can use as a conversation starter, Javier said. Search their LinkedIn profile and lead with that commonality when you message them too.?

Finally, make sure to network within your network. Let people know you are making a career change and post about the roles you are looking for, Joyce said.?

“You just never know who knows who. You don't know how your current network can get you to that next level,” Joyce said. “But it is also important to establish a new network of individuals who are in the [role] you want to do now.”

Changing careers at 40 or 50 years old can be challenging, but the right strategy can make the transition easier. Identify what career path you want to take, talk to people in roles you are interested in, pinpoint your transferable skills, and network to help advance.

Top Takeaways

How to Change Careers at 40 or 50 years old

• Do a self-assessment and identify the type of career and new opportunities you want.
• Talk to people who are working in the roles of interest.
• Identify your transferable skills and revamp your resume and LinkedIn page to show you are a good fit for your new career path.?
• Network within your network and outside of it. Create a post about your desire to change careers.?