How to change your career later in life?

1. Unsatisfactory work experience

If you are unsatisfied with your current job, you might want to find a different one. There are many reasons why you might be unhappy at your job, such as if you're not interested in what you do or if you've had a bad experience with your current employer. If you're unhappy with your current career goals, it's good to know that you can do something about it. You can start a new career, or you could try negotiating with your employer.

2. Numerous job options

After working in the same field for a long time, you might want to change things up. Getting a job with different tasks can bring diversity to your resume. It can also help you utilise different skills. If you want more challenges at work, you might try for a higher-level position or switch to a different industry to learn new things. Starting a new career that suits your abilities better can make you happier at work.

3. Greater possibilities

In some careers, you can grow more easily than in others. If you switch career goals, you might find more chances to get promoted or earn more salary. The managerial and leadership skills you've learned in your current career can help you qualify for a new position.

4. Improved work-life balance

As you grow in your organisation, your priorities might change, or you might have more responsibilities to take care of. This can impact how you balance work and life. Changing your career later in life can give you more freedom in your schedule, so you can make time for yourself. It might also let you negotiate about your job terms and other perks with a new employer, which could mean better benefits for you.

Deciding to change your career later in life can be a daunting but rewarding endeavour. Whether you're seeking more fulfilment, better work-life balance, or simply new challenges, embarking on a career transition can open doors to exciting opportunities.

Follow the steps mentioned below to successfully start a new career:

1. Change your mindset

Starting a new career might not feel perfect right away, but if you stay positive about your new path, it'll help you adjust. If you need help during this time, don't hesitate to ask friends and family for support.

2. Time management

Make sure to dedicate enough time to focus on your new career goals. Organise your time well to make sure you can accomplish everything you need to do.

3. Start a new career that suits you

You might have an idea of what you want to do in your new career. Maybe you want to keep doing something similar. Or you might want to start your own business, work for a cause you care about in the non-profit sector, or even train for a completely different job.

Either way, to succeed in your new career phase, it's important to make sure it fits you – your values, strengths, experience, goals and dreams.

One great thing about changing careers later in life is that you know yourself well. You can make smarter decisions about what's likely to work for you in the future. Use what you know about yourself to your advantage.

• Write down any dreams or career goals you haven't achieved yet. Which ones really matter to you? Are there any you regret not pursuing?
• List your interests. Could any of them become a full-time job? Could you combine some for part-time work?
• Recall tasks or projects that made you happy in the past. What skills did you use? How can you use them in your new career?
• Consider your strengths and weaknesses. How can your strengths help in your new field or position?
• Think about what you didn't like or found challenging in past jobs. Is there something you want to avoid in your new career?
• Imagine the work environment you'd prefer. What kind of culture do you want? Do you want part-time or full-time work or a mix of roles?

Take your time with these questions. Think them over and give yourself the freedom to explore different ideas. You can remove any that don't fit.

4. Take small steps

Taking small, doable steps is helpful when you're beginning something new. They keep you moving forward, especially when there's a lot you don't know and prevent you from doing too much, too quickly.

5. Assess your qualifications

Make a list of the qualifications, knowledge and skills you already have. Then, compare them with what you'll need in starting a new career. First, consider education or training. Does the industry you want to enter need any certifications or tests you don't have? Write down what you need to learn to be fully qualified.

Next, find out how you can get the training you need. If you're still working, make time for learning. This might mean studying in the evenings and weekends or using vacation time for seminars or training.

If you're seeking a higher education institution in the UK that offers flexible timings for classes and industry-relevant education, GBS is the ideal choice for you.

6. Utilise your connections

Use social networking sites like LinkedIn and Twitter to reach out to professionals in the field. Tell them about your situation and ask if they'd be up for having a chat. This is your chance to learn what the job is truly like and if it matches what you're looking for.

Be prepared to share your achievements with a brief and clear elevator pitch: recruiters should quickly see how your experience benefits them. Also, consider trying short tasks like projects or freelance gigs to get a feel for the work.

7. Develop your skills

No matter where your new career leads you, staying successful means keeping your skills up-to-date. Join professional groups to learn about your industry and use social media to stay updated on its latest trends and technology.

Changing your career can be a significant life decision, filled with both excitement and uncertainty. In this section, we offer valuable tips to help guide you through the process of changing your career goals, empowering you to make informed decisions and pursue your professional goals with confidence.

1. Seek professional guidance

If you're not sure about changing your career, seek advice from professionals. Career coaches can help you figure out what you're good at and suggest jobs you might like. You can also talk to recruiters to find out what skills they want in job applicants. Changing careers later in life can be a big step that might affect how you feel, so it's important to consider your mental health too.

2. Analyse your finances

Take a look at your personal budget and financial situation to see what kind of financial perks you'd like in a job. This can help you choose which career to go for. Your financial needs might change as you go through life, so checking your finances again can help you figure out what salary and benefits you want. For instance, you might find out that you have enough money to work part-time instead of full-time.

3. Stay adaptable

Stay open-minded and adaptable when dealing with new employers. This can lead to more job options. Being flexible can also make it easier to handle change, which can boost your success at work and improve your mental health. Remember, switching career goals might come with challenges, but believing in your ability to solve problems and being open to change can help you get through this phase in your life.

4. Get higher qualifications

You can also consider getting higher qualifications for specific positions. Advancing education can open more job options, networking and growth opportunities. If you enjoy learning new skills, this could be a good idea for you and a perk of changing careers.

GBS provides numerous industry-specific courses that can help you in starting a new career.

5. Research

Do careful research to make sure you know what you're getting into and prepare for whatever comes your way. This is important when choosing a different career because you can learn about what the job involves, how much you might earn, what it's like to work there if there are good job prospects and what qualifications you'll need.

GBS is a well-known higher education institution in the UK, known for its specialist courses in fields such as banking, construction, healthcare and more. With a wide presence in major UK cities, the institution is dedicated to its mission of “changing lives through education”.

GBS provides various industry-specific courses for individuals looking to change career paths. These include:

• BA (Hons) Business and Management Progression Route (Level 6 Top-up)
• BA (Hons) Global Business (Business Management) with Foundation Year
• BA (Hons) Global Business and Entrepreneurship with Foundation Year
• BSc (Hons) Accounting & Financial Management
• BSc (Hons) Business & Tourism Management
• BSc (Hons) Construction Management with Foundation Year
• BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care with Foundation Year in Health and Care
• BSc (Hons) Health, Wellbeing and Social Care (Level 6 Direct Entry)
• BSc (Hons) Health, Wellbeing and Social Care with Foundation Year
• HND in Healthcare Practice for England (Healthcare Management)
• HND in Business
• HND in Construction Management for England (Construction Design and Build Technician)
• MA International Business
• HND in Digital Technologies for England (Cyber Security)