How to Make a Career Change at Any Age

Switching careers has become the norm as people continue searching for work that inspires and motivates them to excel. To use a (very) well-known example, the globally-renowned bestselling author James Patterson didn’t really get serious about switching careers in favor of writing until his 50s, already retired from a successful job in advertising.??

There are as many reasons for choosing a new career as there are candidates searching, but some of the most commonly reported career transition motivators are: Feeling unfulfilled in one’s current role, wanting to explore new interests, or needing to adapt to fluctuations in the job market.?

Understand your situation and resources:?

Before you make a career change, it’s important to take stock of your skillset and career experience. This includes any technical or soft skills that could be relevant to your desired role. ?

By assessing your work history and talents through the framework of how they might apply in a new role, you’ll not only be able to answer confidently when the subject comes up in future interviews, you’ll identify any gaps in your knowledge that you need to address or areas where you may opt to upskill.?

Research your new industry:?

Research is crucial to any job search, and a career change is no different. In order to successfully transition into a new career, you absolutely must do your research beforehand. This will include gaining a deep understanding of any ongoing trends, as well as the career prospects and average career trajectory in your target industry. Remember, you’re going to spend a lot of time in your new field, so make sure you’re going to like it there!??

You can and should also leverage your professional network; reach out to any connections you may have on LinkedIn who work in or adjacent to the space you’re considering, and see if they’re open to discussing it with you. Conducting discreet research like this helps you attain additional insight. You don’t have to limit yourself to endless Googling and social media data-mining, though — you can get a taste of your future field by choosing to attend industry events, engage with relevant thought leadership and blog content, or connect via social media with people who currently work in the industry.?

Create and implement your job searching plan:?

Next, it’s time to create a job search plan. Power up your plan by setting SMART goals (Specific,?Measurable,?Achievable,?Relevant, and?Time-bound) and regularly reviewing your progress towards those benchmarks. Keep the language simple, action-oriented, and positive. If you aren’t sure what sort of goals to set, here are some examples to get you going:

• By the end of this week, I will finish editing my resume.?
• I will attend 2 networking events in my industry every 1-2 weeks.?
• I will apply to 5 companies per week.?
• By the end of this month, I will grow my LinkedIn network by 3 connections.?

Once you start listing goal ideas, they just keep flowing! As with everywhere else in life, goal setting helps you stay on track and see where to make adjustments to your job-searching tactics.??

Never give up?

Stick with your search! It is mission-critical not to give in to feelings of discouragement, should they arise. By most accounts, finding a new job will take candidates an average of around one to three months (although this statistic does not take the intensity of the job search into consideration); as with every large project or undertaking, you will need to plan your energy and manage your expectations accordingly so as not to burn out.??

Give yourself a bit of a break – it doesn’t all have to be done at once. As well-known author and former USA Today editor Joanne Lipman puts it:?“People who turn failure into success do it in increments. Instead of throwing up their hands and throwing it out, they actually iterate and iterate and iterate.”

Conclusion

Making a career shift can be a daunting project no matter your age, but by implementing these tips, you’ll give yourself an excellent shot at your new career, no matter the field you intend to exit (or enter). Understanding your skills and career experience, researching jobs in your target industry, and creating a job search plan are all essential steps in making a successful career change. With persistence, patience, and a positive attitude, you will find a new career path that aligns with your passions and values.?

(Get the latest updates on recruiting trends, job market, and IT, and expert advice on hiring and job seeking at the?PTP Report )