My answer is NO!

If you have found yourself being furloughed, made redundant or wondering where is your career taking you, making your career change at this age is your true blessing (no kidding).

I get it may be scary or maybe not as easy as when you were younger. You had big dreams or maybe a life without worries and big commitments – no mortgage to pay, no family to take care of. The life was somehow less responsible and your career decisions didn’t seem to impact other people so much like now.

But finding the job (or career) that you actually love in your 30s (+) can the most fabulous thing that can happen to you.

So here is why I think that 30s (+) is your time to shine:

⁉️ You don’t need to convince your parents it’s a right thing to do

Recently, I interviewed Nina about her career change. An interesting topic came up when we talked about how her family felt about her giving up a well-established HR career in her 30s. She raised her eye brows and responded in a lovely and cheeky tone.

 “At this age, you no longer have to convince anyone including your parents. It’s your life, it’s your decision.” Her response made me giggle! But she was right. That’s one thing less to worry about for your career change.

⁉️ It’s time to be honest and give up that job/career you no longer love

There are at least 2-3 decades of working ahead of you – right, that’s something like 20-30 years! So why wasting that time in a job or career that not longer makes you shine? Use your time and energy to turn your passion, skills and talents into a meaningful work and get paid for doing what you love.

Maybe you went for the safer job option in your past neglecting your desires to do something that really fires you up. Now it could be your time to connect with your dreams and actually turn them into a real job. What’s there to lose by trying apart from regrets?

⁉️  It’s no longer a trial and error kind of change

 – you already know what you like and more importantly what you don’t like. Making a career change with over a decade of experience and skills under your belt makes it easier to pinpoint what you like and more importantly what you don’t want to do at all.

This gives you clarity and starting point to escape your job that looks good on your CV but actually feels boring, unfulfilling or terrible to you. It’s your opportunity to go for something that will finally bring a beaming smile on your face. If you don’t take your chances in a game, you’re never going to succeed.

⁉️  You realised that confidence is overrated 

I’ve never met a person who wasn’t scared of career change at least a little. Even the most confident employee, manager or freelancer has their own insecurities and doubts. At this age, you already know that when it comes to making a career change, it’s all about direction and taking action.

You may not feel confident to take action because it’s outside of your comfort zone. The good news is. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Feel the fear and do it anyway at your own pace. Having your vision and knowing your next step is enough to beat your fears.

⁉️  Your transferrable skills are your treasure chest. Use it!

– you don’t have to invest thousands into getting new qualification again. Instead you can build on your transferrable skills. Identify how your existing skills add value to your new employer. This is your magic wand! How do I know? Well, first-hand experience when I was looking for my first proper office job in England while my English was still very bad. I couldn’t speak English properly but I had passion for numbers, great computer and typing skills that helped me to enter the bookkeeping-accounting field.

I also relied on transferrable skills while switching from Finance Manager in accounting into Operations for larger organisation in banking. I shouldn’t say this out loud, but when I went for my interview, I had no clue about banking regulations and processes. I realised this and clearly communicated that I was prepared to learn about banking industry.  I saw an opportunity – the added value that I can bring in my leadership skills. My ability to manage changes while  keeping my team engaged. My teams were showing reduced attrition rate.

You can do that too! Identify your transferrable skills 0 your treasure chest – that’s your wealth you can use when you’re facing losing a job.

 

⁉️ You’re old enough to express your passion fiercely

Even if you’re risking bad jokes about mid-life crisis, express who you are authenticaly. I mean it! At this age you finally realise that no-one really cares. You’re old enough not to worry about what would people think.

Give yourself the permission to follow your passion and express it fiercely. Do you want to become a lady firefighter, a professional somelier, a male nurse or a love coach? Do it! What’s the point to keep on holding back if that is your true passion and your way to make a difference to others?! Whatever your passion or purpose that is calling you to make a difference is, there is no point in waiting. Because one day you will wish that you had started earlier.

And that’s it!

Career change in your 30, 35, 40 (+) can be fun, enlightening and inspiring. Many people before you have done it.

Whichever direction your career journey will take you you can do it. And if you somehow get stuck and would like 1-2-1 support, reach out to me to organise a free dream job consultation call. I’d love to help you.

Author: AdriAna Kosovska

Professional and certified coach & founder of ZERO TO DREAM JOB ACADEMY

 

I work with employees, couples and organisations that care about

Stress reduction |  Talents and strengths development | Dream job