Thinking of a career change in your 30s? These tips will help you find success

Crossing over into your 30s and wanting a career change doesn’t have to be viewed as an early sign of a “midlife crisis.” Rather, it's the perfect time to take stock in what you have already accomplished, what you can accomplish elsewhere, and what the most important goals in your life are.

In this edition of Forbes Edge, we will offer some tips on looking for a new career opportunity in your 30s . Then, we’ll look at the debate over whether it’s OK to use AI tools when writing your résumé . And finally, we’ve got a collection of helpful stories to help you find success, such as one with advice on choosing a health plan during open enrollment .

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Tips and strategies: Changing careers in your 30s? These tips can help you find success

Once you reach the age of 30, more doors tend to start opening professionally. Your network has grown, there’s a bit more money in your bank account, and you have built up substantial life experiences that are relatable to a mid-career professional.?

While some folks might simply look for a new opportunity in the same industry, many workers view their 30s as a good time to try something completely new. If you find yourself wanting to embark on a major career change , keep the following tips in mind:

• Engage in self reflection: You want to make sure you’re making this decision for the right reasons, so be honest with yourself about why you want to start anew. Pursuing a lifelong passion or seeking better work-life balance are two of many valid reasons to seek out change.
• Assess your transferable skills: If you’re in your 30s, you’ve likely already built up a bounty of transferable skills. Take stock of them, and see if any align with this list of five great transferable skills .
• Lean on your network: Connect with colleagues, alumni networks as well as friends and family who might have in-roads to the new opportunity you are pursuing.
• Set clear goals: Changing careers is a daunting prospect, but you can limit the anxiety by setting clear goals and expectations.
• Be patient: You didn’t get to where you are in your current career overnight. Change will take time, but by focusing on incremental progress and allowing time for self-care, you can reach those goals you have set for yourself.

Read the full story here for more detailed tips on changing careers from Caroline Castrillon .

MORE: 12 Types Of People You Must Add On LinkedIn To Advance Your Career

Practical advice: Using AI to help write your résumé—is that really a good idea?

Let’s get this out of the way from the jump: Yes, you can use AI tools such as ChatGPT when writing your résumé . But, as always when using AI, there are limitations. Artificial intelligence should be viewed as a collaborator, not a creator. When crafting a résumé, ChatGPT is great for generating alternative options for words or phrases in those moments when you get stuck. It can also be used for tasks such as extracting keywords from a job description and checking your draft for keyword density.?

But as already mentioned: Always exercise caution when using ChatGPT. Recruiters and hiring managers are getting better at spotting applicants who generate their entire résumé using AI, and will often outright reject such candidates. And while AI is a transformational technology, it lacks human understanding and personality that only you will be able to inject into your application materials.?

Read the full story here for more information on AI and résumé writing from Rachel Wells .

More:?

• Explaining Career Gaps On Your Resume The Right Way
• Women Are More Ambitious Now Than Before The Pandemic, New Survey Says
• 10 Ways Parents Can Help College Graduates Who Don’t Have Jobs
• How To Choose A Health Insurance Plan During Open Enrollment

Calling all success seekers:?

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Thank you for reading! We'll be back next week with another edition of Forbes Edge. If you missed Tuesday’s newsletter, check it out here for insights on how the college essay process is evolving.

This edition of Forbes Edge was written and curated by associate editor Chris Dobstaff .