Guide to Changing Careers in Your 40s

It’s never too late in life to change careers and head off in a new direction. If you’re in your 40s, it’s entirely possible to make this type of change. All that you need to do is prepare yourself for the job hunt and take some time to brush up on your skills, right? That’s the easy part!

Sometimes, the more difficult part is trying to decide on what it is that you want to do. No matter why you want a change or what you want to pursue, you can do it! Changing careers in your 40s is completely doable - just be prepared to tackle these important steps along the way.

What Is Your Ideal Career?

Obviously, you’re making a career change for a reason. Think about what you don’t like about your current job. Do you feel stuck in one position? Are you tired of doing the same things every day? Or do you want to see if your dream career, the one that you pushed back earlier in life, is still an option?

While thinking about why you want to change your job trajectory, also consider what your ideal job looks like. Is it in a certain field? Would it allow you to work from home? Does it include an interesting in a subject that you’ve always loved? Use the answers to these questions to determine your next steps.

Check Your Skill Set

Another part of determining which career you should choose involves examining your current skill set. Technology is one thing that practically every employer looks for these days, so you need to make sure that your Microsoft Office, Google Suite and other skills are up to par. You should also list other things that you can do. What are your strengths? What do you love doing? What skills really set you apart? While you might already know these things, spend some time thinking about your proficiency in them. Also, don’t forget about your soft skills: communication, management and other things are important as well.

Research the Current Job Search Market

If it’s been a while since you last applied to a job, there are a few things that you’ll need to know. For example, resume design trends change, the amount of information needed on them is different, and many employers use a computer program to weed out applicants and look for certain keywords. You may have to redesign your resume in order to get it up to date.

Go Back to School

In some cases, a career change means going back to school and learning an entirely new skillset. If this fits what you’d like to do, you’ll need to find a degree program that’s designed for adult learners who have a lot on their plates, and also has the courses that you’d like to take.

Consider the School of Continuing Studies at Dean College

Adult learners can thrive at the Dean College School of Continuing Studies. With several degree and certificate programs to choose from, all of which are offered on a part-time basis, students will be able to better balance their obligations and schoolwork.