A lot of people think that, if they have been working the same job for a number of years that they are stuck doing that for the rest of their lives, especially if they happen to be older. However, that does not have to be the case. There is no reason why, if you want to do so, you cannot change careers and find more fulfilling work.
That is not to say there won’t be any challenges along the way, but if you are serious about making a change, you can do it, and here are some tips to help you make the leap.
THINK ABOUT YOUR INTERESTS AND VALUES
There’s no point in changing careers if it’s going to end up just as unfulfilling as whatever it is you’re doing now. So, before you do anything else, think about the kinds of things you are interested in, and the values you want to incorporate into your life. This will give you a good idea of whether or not the thing you want to do is really a good idea for you to pursue.
BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF
It’s also really important that you are honest with yourself about your abilities. For example, if you’re an older person who isn’t in great shape, you should maybe leave a career in construction to the younger generation, but a career in construction management may be fine, or if you’ve never been good with numbers, becoming an accountant might not be your best move even if the salary is attractive. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, and by finding work that aligns with yours, you can increase your chances of success and fulfillment significantly.
WRITE DOWN ALL OF YOUR SKILLS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
It shouldn’t be this way, but a lot of employers are hesitant to hire older people, especially when they have never done the job before. If you are to convince them that you are the right person for the role, you need to be prepared to impress them. Start by writing down all of your career-based achievements (and personal ones if they are likely to be relevant) and all of the skills you have picked up along the way. Then, pick out those skills and achievements that align with the work you will be expected to do in your new career, and find ways of relating them to the new role so that your ability to do the job cannot be in question.
BRUSH UP ON INTERVIEW ETIQUETTE
If you haven’t interviewed for a job in a while, chances are things have changed a bit, and what you wear, which questions you are likely to be asked, and how you will need to behave, will have changed some. By boning up on the latest in the world of interviews, and by practicing having an interview beforehand, you can give yourself the best possible chance of securing the career you really want.
There is absolutely no reason why you cannot achieve your career goals whether you’re 25 or 65 so what are you waiting for?
