Your Guide to Changing Careers in Your 40s
By the time a woman reaches her 40s, she knows herself and her current career path quite well. However, it’s not unusual to consider changing careers in your 40s, whether it be switching companies, changing fields or industries, or making a pivot into a new career area of interest.
Twenty years in the workforce is long enough to know whether you're satisfied with your current role or if your heart yearns for something that better suits your values and passions. Maybe you've hit an income ceiling, a promotion plateau, you’re in a career rut, or you just want to try something new.
If you're in your 40s and thinking about changing careers, you're not alone. Thousands (probably millions!) of other women have been where you are. The only question is HOW to make the shift in the most empowering and efficient way possible.
While you could drop everything and start another career from the bottom, you don't have to. Let's dive into ways that a savvy 40-something woman can pivot to a career that better aligns with her values, goals, and aspirations.
Assess Your Skills and Experience Objectively
First, take stock of yourself. What do you already have outside the context of your traditional work titles, industry, and roles? Consider the skills you have, the technology you're familiar with, as well as challenges you’ve overcome and problems you’ve solved in your current work environment. Many of those skills will help you to rock other lines of work— whether you're making a lateral shift, taking on a similar role in a different industry, or building a new set of skills on top of your current expertise.
Not sure how to assess your abilities or set goals for a career change? Career Coaching can help you identify your skills and achievements, get clear on the directions you can go with your current skills, and best package and promote yourself for the skills and experience you possess. Instead of just researching job titles you've held before, look at your work accomplishments and transferrable skills that will make you a competitive applicant as you change careers.
Look for Comparative Roles in Other Fields
When you change careers in your 40s, skills translate more than you might realize. Do a little research and find out what individuals with your skills and experience are doing in different industries. And don't feel limited by gender norms.
If you've been working in software development, check out similar roles in manufacturing, corporate retail, or hospitality. Look at the difference in pay, required seniority, or unique roles with a need for cross-skills that match up with your background.
A lateral shift to another industry that interests or excites you could be exactly the change of pace you need. Changing industries can lead to a career that is more in alignment with the pace, goals, or company culture that will fulfill you.
Request Cross-Training in Your Current Role
It's possible that job satisfaction is hiding somewhere in your current company. If you’re feeling stagnant or bored in your current role, speak up and ask for cross-training opportunities, in which you could have the chance to work with other teams in other departments. This will also help you broaden your skillset and learn new aspects of the industry or company that you're already familiar with. Not to mention, it’s a great professional networking opportunity.
You can use your background, connections, and understanding of the business to quickly pick up new and interesting abilities and identify opportunities for collaboration. These could make you invaluable and promotable as a unique asset.
Study for a Professional License or Certification
A new professional license or certification could be key to changing careers in your 40s. Unlock the new potential in yourself by earning new credentials that might open up the door to new job opportunities that were previously unavailable to you.
Online courses and certifications are readily available, both for free and paid. Oftentimes, you can study at your own pace, attend virtual classes or lectures, and learn new, valuable skills. Evening and weekend courses can fit around your full-time job and family life. With a new license, certificate, or credentials, you may gain access to a whole new world of job opportunities in the direction of your choice.
Use Your Hobbies to Learn New Skills
Hobbies are a great way for women considering changing careers in their 40s to gain new job skills casually and have fun doing it.
From designing websites, honing your photography skills, or programming software, what you do to relax at home can quickly become a marketable skill. Art, tech, construction, and even gardening can be used to help you change careers to better suit your passions. If it's fun as a hobby, you may enjoy using those skills in your new career path as well.
Get Involved in a Startup or Non-Profit
If you want a chance to wear many hats, stretch your wings as a multi-talent and try out different roles— consider joining a non-profit or a startup company. Women with a lot of work experience often become the rock at the core of a vibrant new startup.
These organizations often need mature, level-headed professionals who know how to handle high-growth businesses and are ready to learn new in-demand skills. These can be great opportunities if you're ready to dive into full-time learning while still maintaining full-time employment.
Discover Your Next Career Move
You career is a journey, not a destination. You don’t need to stick with the same career track from start to finish.
Changing careers in your 40s can be daunting. But, with the right support, this change can be an exciting and rewarding transition. In fact, this stage in your life is a time to put every valuable skill you've gained to work building a life you will enjoy for the next 20+ years. Whether it's a major transformation or just a minor shift shift to make your work interesting and inspiring again, never shy away from building skills and seeking opportunities that you find more fulfilling.
