Considering a Career Change After Thirty-Five? Consider This.

Over the last few years, many young people, 25 and less, have shunned the traditional way of working in favor of doing things that make them happy. While many over 35s have often put almost fifteen or more years into a career, and wonder, is it too late to change?

The answer is no. It is never too late to change the course of your life and change your career.

Does it take some thought? It sure does! But it is not impossible at all. In fact, it can be beneficial to change careers at a later stage! So let’s take a look at a couple of things that you can think about before taking action.

Who are you?

This is a big question, but by 35 or even 55 and beyond, you probably have a good idea of what you like, what you don’t like and what you are good at. Although there is plenty more to explore, you don’t have to have it all figured out. So take a look at what you have to offer:

- Hard and soft skills
- What you are interested in
- Qualifications (both official and smaller courses)
- Accolades published work, viral work or anything of note

Knowing a lot about yourself and what you have achieved so far can work wonders for how you work in the future.

What is your dream job?

It is essential to stress that there is no such thing as a silly dream job. You might want to own a bookshop, deal in wine, walk fluffy dogs seven days a week, or work on the railway (you’ll need a railway medical for that one!). The point is when you are thinking about how your future looks and what matters to you – take what your big dreams really are.

Take a look at your dream role – and then work backwards – how can you get there? What skills and opportunities might you have now that can give you a head start?

Do you have gaps in your resume?

No one likes to highlight the areas in which they might not be strong, but it is an essential part of the process. Start checking out the job roles for the dream job and other jobs that would be on the ladder to that one. What skills are you missing? How can you get them?

And be honest, are there skills required that you know you don’t have or wouldn’t be comfortable gaining?

Plugging in any gaps in your skills will make you immediately more desirable in the roles you want and increase your chances of changing your career for the better.

You’ll need a LinkedIn Profile.

The days of printing out your resume and handing it over to business owners in person are long gone. In fact, the majority of recruitment practices now take place digitally through platforms such as Linkedin. However, a basic profile alone won’t do you any favours – whether you’re applying directly for jobs or simply keeping an eye out for potential work opportunities.

As such, you should be sure to upgrade your Linkedin Profile before you begin job hunting. To create a stellar LinkedIn profile, you should:

- Choose a professional quality photo or headshot, not as selfie.
- Write a snappy yet thought-provoking headline that paints a clear picture of your professional goals and what you are looking for.
- Feature keywords and phrases throughout your profile that are likely to catch the eye of employers and headhunters.
- Don’t be afraid to sell yourself – celebrate your achievements!

Don’t rule out volunteer opportunities.

You might not be in a position to apply for paid roles or plug your skills gap through paid training. However, volunteer roles can mean that you get hands-on experience in the job roles, and better yet, it will give you an indicator if it is really your dream job!

Once you have a volunteer role, you can network within that and gain useful and interesting contacts as well as friends in the industry. Not all industries will have volunteer opportunities, but there might be some with close connections that are worth considering.

Perhaps you have been feeling unsettled lately, and a switch is just what you need: Steering Your Career In A New Direction Might Be Exactly What You Need to Love Your Life.