It’s easy to get stuck in a career rut. You’ve worked hard to get to where you are by putting in the hours and building a good reputation. However, you still feel unhappy.
It’s a common story, as people lose passion for a career that no longer satisfies them as it once did. Maybe you’ve reached the top of the tree and can’t advance any higher or simply don’t feel inspired by your current path anymore.
While the thought of changing careers at 40 is daunting for most people, it’s more than possible to discover a new direction and thrive with the right approach.
Why do people change careers?
Everyone has their own reasons for changing careers, but many of us have similar motivations for making the switch. According to recent research conducted by Seek, around 25% of workers are looking to change jobs in the next six months, with the following being the top reasons for doing so:
Increased salary: The cost of living is a serious problem for many Australians, and changing careers could help you earn a higher income. If you feel you’ve maximised your earning potential, exploring a different path moving forward makes perfect sense.
Better work-life balance: Not everyone wants to spend every waking hour working. If you feel rundown by your current job or have shifting priorities as you get older, finding a role with a better work-life balance could be the best thing for your future.
Improved career progression: Like salary, there comes a time in many people’s careers when their progress grinds to a stop. If you feel you’ve reached the ceiling of your current industry, making the move into a new role could push your career higher than ever.
Is it too late to change careers at 40?Â
It’s never too late to do what makes you happy. Change is never easy, and while a big shift can feel disruptive to your whole life, you can emerge on the other side with more motivation and better prospects than your current career. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of ways to make the process easier on yourself.
The benefits of changing careers at 40
There’s a good chance you’ve been involved in your current career for decades, but it’s important to remember you’re likely still around 25 years from retirement. Even if you need a few years to study or work to gain experience in your new field, you have plenty of time to be successful in a new job you love.
Ready to change careers? These are just some of the best reasons to make it happen once you’ve reached your 40s.
- Renewed purpose: There’s a good chance you chose your career path in high school, leaving plenty of time for your values and interests to change. One major benefit of changing careers at 40 is pursuing something closer to your present-day passions.
- Better work-life balance: With a better understanding of yourself, choosing a career path with a greater work-life balance might be the best move. You’ll have more time for family, travel or even just relaxing if that’s how you prefer to spend your days.
- Increased job satisfaction: You might have lost interest in your career path, simply going through the motions in day-to-day life. Starting a new journey at 40 could reinvigorate your motivation to work and achieve your best.
The challenges of changing careers at 40
There’s no shortage of reasons why starting a new career at 40 is hard, but you shouldn’t necessarily let issues like these hold you back.
Financial responsibilities: Many people in their 40s have significant financial responsibilities, from paying a mortgage to putting their kids through school. These costs can make leaving behind a steady career a tough decision.
Uncertainty over skills: Having confidence in your skills to succeed in a new role is difficult when you’ve never done it before. Some people avoid changing careers because they’re uncertain whether they have enough transferable skills.
Fear of starting again: Changing careers can mean building a new professional network, learning new skills and starting over from a lower position. Despite the appeal of changing careers, some people won’t because starting again feels overwhelming.
It’s also easy to let the opinions of others stop you from doing what you feel is right for you. Be selective about whose opinion you take when it comes to changing jobs and only listen to those who are important to you.
The best career paths to explore at 40
Perhaps the hardest part of changing career at 40 is knowing which direction to take. As you’ll likely be leaving behind a steady position you know from top to bottom, choosing a stable, fulfilling career path that suits your existing skills is essential. Here are a few ideas to kickstart your imagination.
Technology and IT
The tech industry has experienced massive demand in recent years, with those making a career change in their 40s often bringing excellent problem-solving and project management skills. And for those who have developed on-the-job IT knowledge or simply consider themselves tech-savvy, getting an IT qualification for roles like these is within reach:Â
- Web developer
- UX designer
- Web content manager
- Business analyst
Project management
People changing careers later in life are often well-positioned to explore project management as their next path. As you might have refined leadership, organisational and communication skills, these naturally lend themselves to project management roles ranging from construction to IT:
- Project manager
- Operations manager
- Program administrator
- Change management leader
Education and training
Backed by a decade or more of professional experience, transitioning into the education and training sector could be the perfect fit. If you have a passion for education, this area offers endless opportunities to share knowledge, foster the next generation and get immense satisfaction from training high-quality workers. Suitable education roles could include:Â
- School teacherÂ
- Learning and development specialist
- Educational consultant
- Instructional designer
Healthcare
Shifting into healthcare could be a great decision if you’ve got a compassionate mindset and a desire for meaningful work. With the healthcare sector offering a range of stable careers, it’s hard to beat the industry’s job security. Many roles are highly accessible, with a certificate or associate degree making it possible to land a job, such as:Â
- Medical assistant
- Healthcare administratorÂ
- Medical technologist
- Community health officer
How to make a career change at 40
Although diving into a new career is tempting, considering the following tips will help you ease your transition into a new space at 40 and beyond
Understand your motivation
Is a new career going to mean you can spend more time with your children? Are you going to make more money in your new job? Will you be happier in a new role where you feel you can truly make an impact?
If the answer to the above questions is a positive one, you’ll know you’re doing the right thing. By taking steps to understand your motivation and weighing up the pros and cons, you can make the ideal choice for your future.
Find the least disruptive way of doing things
Changing careers at 40 will almost certainly cause disruption, but you can mitigate the impact. For example, if you need further education to change your career, taking online classes alongside your current job means keeping your salary and learning more.
While simply walking out of a job sounds appealing, use the time before you leave to build a solid plan for what comes after you finally quit. Give yourself a timeline for transitioning and steadily focus on your upcoming goals to maintain your new direction.
Take positive steps forward
How long have you thought about changing careers, but something always got in the way? As they’ll always be an excuse for sticking with your existing path, making small positive moves towards your goal can help reduce the stress of stepping into the unknown.
These steps could include finding a mentor, discussing your decision with loved ones, signing up for classes or volunteering in a similar space. While you might not be ready for the leap of path, these manageable actions can help put you in the right frame of mind.
Leverage your professional network
As someone in their 40s, you’ve probably established a significant professional network primed for supporting your next move. Reaching out to chat with connections who have made a similar change, or can introduce you to others in your ideal space, is a wise decision.
This strategy could mean you receive inside knowledge about industry happenings or an entry-level opening perfect for someone with your transferable skills. Just because your network focuses on a different sector doesn’t mean they can’t still benefit your new path.
Focus on your existing skills
Changing careers doesn’t mean you should just forget the last 20 years. You’ll have picked up so many skills along the way that often transfer perfectly into different roles. Plus, the countless lessons and experience you’ve gained help you stand out when applying for jobs.
A good exercise involves looking at the advertised roles in different careers and seeing what skills and experience the description asks applicants to have. While your talents might not be exactly the same, you might be surprised at just how transferable your skillset really is.
Sell yourself with a resume
Nobody likes updating their resume, but even people in their 40s need to sell themselves. If you’re looking for a new job, an excellent resume will highlight your experience and extensive skills. However, keep your resume tightly focused on the roles you’re applying for.
Writing detailed cover letters is also important, especially when moving into a new field. Use this as an opportunity to explore your transferable skills, your passion for the industry and how you’re the ideal candidate looking to build a new career in the sector.
Road test your new career
You don’t have to rush into your new career. Although you’ve probably been thinking about making a change for months or even years, finding ways to road-test a different direction can help you feel more confident about making a final decision.
For example, you can study a flexible course at home, volunteer with a like-minded organisation or explore a side hustle that gives you a taste of a full-time role. These simple ideas will introduce you to the industry and help you refine your exact path.
Studying online
Reskilling is another effective way to launch a new career. This is because studying as an older person is super rewarding, as you feel committed to a long-overlooked path. Whether you want to work as a bookkeeper, a social media marketer or a web designer, an excellent qualification will streamline your journey.
Supported by your previous work experience, existing skills and a new qualification, getting job interviews and landing the perfect role is within your grasp. At Monarch Institute, our online courses can be studied at your own pace, making them ideal for professionals making a gradual career change at 40.
Find your new path at Monarch Institute
Changing your career at 40 is understandably daunting. However, knowing you can spend the rest of your working life exploring your passion is a powerful motivator. Despite the challenges, securing a top-notch qualification and benefiting from your experience ensures you can build an even more successful career.
With Monarch Institute offering a wealth of online courses designed for people at every stage of their careers, finding your new path is made easy. Supported by respected industry experts and a flexible learning environment, achieving your goals is highly attainable. Chat with our friendly course consultants to discover your options today.
