Did you know that 30% of the UK workforce has made a career change? According to Oxbridge Learning, 90% of over 50s want a career change and 59% of people retrain for a new career at 50. Only 10% of people in their 50s said that they felt comfortable in their current roles. Although it may seem daunting to consider a career change later in life, but it doesn't have to be.
Changing careers can help with work-life balance and job satisfaction. If you want to learn more about how to change careers at 50, keep reading this article.
Assess yourself and set career change goals
Before you start trying to change your career, you need to complete a self-assessment. Why do you want a new career? What are you looking for with your new career?
What do you want out of it that your previous career didn't provide? Once you understand the why, consider the following tips to help with your job search:
Get professional help
Job seekers over 50 need to get professional help with their job search. Job seekers in this age group can find a lot of opportunities and employers that are willing to hire them.
However, you need to prepare for the challenges that come with your age. You should know how to market yourself and what skills you bring to the table.
Learn new job skills
As we live longer, it is becoming more and more important for job seekers to learn new skills in order to remain employable.
Shortages of skilled workers are a big concern for businesses and industries all over the world. One prediction from Korn Ferry warns that, by 2030, more than 85 million jobs could go unfilled because there aren't enough skilled candidates to take them. This could create a cost of £6.3 trillion in lost revenue for businesses.
The skills that you possess now may not be what your employers need in the future. However, with so many cost-free opportunities to upskill and learn you can add new items to your CV at any age. It's important to try and stay as tech savvy as possible, as technology advances and changes industries at a rapid pace.
Set realistic goals
As the economy changes and new jobs are created. Job seekers over 50 need to be realistic and set goals for their job search that are achievable.
The most important thing for job seekers over 50 is to stay motivated and not lose hope. Your career is not over. You should also try to be proactive in your job search by updating your skill sets. Networking with people from different industries is another great way to change careers. Improving your personal brand is also something to consider to make yourself stand out from the crowd.
Types of careers to consider:
There are countless options for a career change. For people over 50, the following three industries are great place to start your search:
Teaching
Becoming a teacher can be a fulfilling and rewarding career change. There are many types of roles to consider within the education space and becoming a teacher is extremely rewarding and has a multitude of benefits.
Teaching is the oldest profession in the world. With this, it’s not surprising that there are a lot of job opportunities for teachers, especially at the secondary school level.
The following are some of the reasons why it’s a good idea for over 50s to get into teaching:
- A teacher's salary can be comparable to other professions with similar skill sets
- There is no mandatory retirement age in teaching
- The teaching profession has long been considered an important career choice and respected one
Social work
There are many jobs available for social work. It is a rewarding field that offers growth opportunities, and it provides people with the chance to help others in need.
Social work offers a wide range of career paths with many different areas of expertise that can be pursued. It's also a highly rewarding career path that allows for flexibility in work hours, location, and schedules.
Construction
Getting into construction is another hot career change move. Construction is one of the best industries for a 50-year-old job seeker who wants a career change. It’s doesn't necessarily need to be physically demanding job, there are roles that fit under the ‘white collar’ category which present plenty of opportunities for advancement and growth if you would rather be office based.
Challenges of changing careers
Age is a factor that many companies consider when hiring new employees. Although some experts believe that age is not a barrier to entry, others believe it does make a difference. However many organisations are, or have moved to more inclusive methods of recruitment such as using 'blind CV' techniques. This means that your age wouldn't even be something the hiring manager would look at, just you skill set and experience.
The challenges job seekers over 50 face are varied and complex. They may need to adjust their mindset when it comes to finding the right type of work, developing new skills, and adapting to changes in technology.
Some of these challenges include:
- Lack of professional experience
- Lack of relevant skills
- Lack of knowledge on how to find jobs in the first place
- Not being able to keep up with the pace of change in technology
Get professional help for a career change at 50
This article covers how to make a career change at 50. We hope you have a clearer understanding of what steps to take and the considerations needed before making this big change. However, you may still feel uneasy about changing careers at 50 and we can help. It's key to remember that it's not too late to consider a career change. In Shaun's video above, he highlights the importance of finding the right career, despite what stage of life you are currently at.
At Randstad, we offer career advice for all ages. Our tips and advice have helped many people land the job of their dreams and find their possible.
If you’re ready to make your career change, speak to your local randstad branch who will be more than happy to help you land your next job.