It happens everyday – professionals who have worked in the same dull jobs for years get to the end of their rope and decide to try something completely new. For many this can happen at mid-life when people are reminded that life is short and they want to experience something better in order to find happiness and fulfillment at work. Here is some sound advice on changing careers at mid-life, if you are considering this bold move.

The very first thing that you can do is to take a careful inventory of what you are presently doing and what aspects of that work you actually enjoy or do well. This takes some careful thinking as a list of job skills will come out of this inventory. These are what are called “transferable work skills” and this is what will form the foundation of your next great career.

After you have taken a work skill inventory, it is advisable that you take a personality test to determine if there are certain attitudes that you have about your work and your life that you feel more strongly about. There are many free personality tests online that are related to careers. Once you have done this, compare the results to the job skills you have to narrow down the type of work you’d like to be doing.

Once the new career path is identified, or you decide on something that you are passionate about, its time to evaluate what new skills or education you may need to meet the minimum requirements of the new career. For some, this may be a time of heading back to college. For others, it may just be a period of brushing up on some unused skills. When a level of aptitude has been met, its time to start searching for a new job.

Develop a resume and job search strategy that speaks more about your level of work responsibility and your passion for a particular field of interest than actual jobs you’ve held. List your recent achievements plus any community service or interests. If you are in classes trying to earn a degree or license, be sure to estimate your completion date so that hiring managers know you are serious about this new venture.

Please note that you may have to start at the bottom or in an entry level position again. Just as anyone new to a career has to start out, it’s important to realize that you may be at the bottom of the ladder temporarily until you can prove your abilities. This won’t take long as you have already had career achievements and will ramp up the ladder and learning curve quickly. Before long you will be in the career you’ve always dreamed about.

« Back to Career Advice