Career Change at 35 – Starting Over Again

Switching to a different career at the age of 35 sounds a little scary, don’t you think? But staying in a job that you don’t like until you reach retirement age is torture. If you’re unhappy with your job, look for another one that fits your skills, qualities, and happiness. Being happy with your job is essential to your success. No one ever made it to the top dragging himself or herself to work every day. You have to be enthusiastic about your career because it plays a big role in your life.

When Do You Make the Big Switch?

“If you’ve had more than one job in your field and it’s pretty clear to you that no matter where you go, things won’t be any better because you don’t like the type of work you do, then it’s time to make a career change.” – Andy Teach, corporate veteran and author of the book From Graduation to Corporation: The Practical Guide to Climbing the Corporate Ladder One Rung at a Time.

The best time to do a career change is when you’ve already thought about what you want. It usually doesn’t happen in one day; it’s a process. Once you start feeling bored or burned-out of your job, start thinking about what you want to do for the rest of your life. Conduct a self-assessment of your core values, skill set, and consider what you’re willing to do even if you don’t get compensated. When you’ve determined these things, you can use them as a ‘compass’ to make better career choices.

What Do You Have to Offer?

To get a clear answer to this question, first, you have to understand what you want to do and what the marketplace will allow you to do. You need to know what is important to the potential employers of the new career that you want to pursue. It will help you determine which skills and experience you’ll need to focus on. Organizing and articulating your assets can help you land the job that you’ve always dreamed of.

The new job may require a different skill set. But thorough research can help you deal with this. If you don’t have a direct experience in the new career, perhaps some of your present skills are transferable. Find a skill or experience that can be valuable to the new job that you want, and this will lure your potential employer to hire you.

How Will You Know If the New Job is the Right One?

You’re switching careers because you’re unhappy and dissatisfied with your current one. But since you’re already 35, you’re worried that you may not be making the right choice. The only way to know if the new career is good is to do research. Learn as much as you can about the job – skill requirement, salary, work-life balance, etc. It’s the only way to find out if it’s something that you want to do. Making a career change at your age is a life-changing event, and you shouldn’t take it lightly; take your time to think and research.

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