Why Is Getting a New Career When You're Over 40 So Hard? Episode One

So here I am, 46, and having to find a new career after being signed off work forever.

Well, not forever, but that’s my point—I need to fight back and get a new career, right?

I'll be honest, after four interviews in less than a month, I am pretty exhausted.

And still, to this day, I know for a fact that you don’t get much feedback on your performance.

So, hey presto, here are some refreshing tips from a post I did this week:

It has by far helped me perform much better in each interview, and despite not landing a job yet, I feel positive that at the very least, I am boosting the brand equity of Healthy Career Nurses.

For those of us over 40, the job market can be tough, even with all the AI tools available. LinkedIn jobs, in particular, feel extremely competitive.

If you work in a niche field like a trade, you might have more options. I’m not sure, but I do know that even with my qualifications, the turbulence in the job market is real. I’m qualified in several fields:

1. I am a qualified teacher.
2. I am a qualified support worker.
3. I am a qualified personal trainer.

Yet, despite this range of qualifications, it’s still a challenging landscape.

But here’s what I’ve learned: we can’t dwell on the setbacks. It’s important to allow ourselves to feel sad after missing out on an interview—that’s natural, and it’s okay. If you need to cry, that’s fine too. Everyone’s circumstances are different, and some may be facing financial pressure.

Fortunately, I’m blessed not to need the money right now. For me, this is more about shifting my brand and taking a shot at a new career. That said, I’m still unsure where I will eventually land.

It’s possible that I could find a great role and decide to set aside my social media projects and Healthy Career Nurses, but that wouldn’t feel right. I believe there’s a better path forward. I’m optimistic, and I see value in reflecting on my last four interviews. I can use that experience to build learning content for my brand and keep moving forward.

For those of us over 40, the goal might not always be to land the "dream job." Instead, it’s about continuing to learn and grow. We can’t control everything, but it’s important to stay motivated and keep pushing.

I sincerely hope that all of us here on LinkedIn can either find a job we’re comfortable with or start a business that truly helps others.