Every day I meet people who seek soft skills training advice for career growth. Many of them want to quit their present jobs and pursue a career in a completely new field. What keeps them from pursuing their dream job is the risk of embarking on a new career in their 30s and 40s.
The psychological pressure of leaving the comfort zone, assured pay, and security of a settled career might not be easy to deal with because the decision to switch careers might impact financial freedom, happiness, family life and lead to uncertainty about future jobs.
However, if you are convinced that you would rather let go of a secure job and pursue the career of your dreams to do something more meaningful, let me help you make a successful midlife career change.
1. Start Preparing Early
Start preparing yourself and work towards your career change once you decide to take the leap. Most importantly, be confident and firm in your decision. Knowing what you want to do next is the best support in your early days of career change. It will also help you avoid psychological pressure.
2. Don’t Be Hesitant to Learn New Skills
Identify whether your current skills are suitable for your next career. Many people are not comfortable with the idea of learning and acquiring new skills after a certain age. Set your hesitation aside and be more open to learning. If you have no time for full-time classes, opt for online courses and get a certificate.
3. Recognize Like-Minded Peers and Nurture Those Alliances
In the words of Ben Casnocha, “Opportunities do not float like clouds in the sky. They’re attached to people. If you’re looking for an opportunity, you’re really looking for a person.” Job search in a completely new field would become easier when you connect with like-minded people and broaden your network.
4. Ask Yourself If You Are Ready to Accept The Challenge
Career change is not easy and the initial period might be challenging. Ask yourself if you are motivated enough to do this. Follow it up with some groundwork about your desired career choice.
Start saving money for the days to come. If you do not land another opportunity immediately after quitting your job, that emergency fund will help you and your family sail through without making a compromise.
Perfect Jobs That Are Great for Career Changers
1. Social Media Manager and Digital Marketer
With increasing effort to draw more online traffic and amplify sales and conversion rates, brands and agencies are likely to hire more social media and digital marketing professionals. According to a McKinley Marketing Partners report, the current demand for digital marketing talent is 59% but supply is only about 19%, with rising demand predicted for the future. If this inspires you, acquire professional certification and get started.
2. Image Consultant and Soft Skills Trainer
Both image consulting and soft skills training are in high demand. Many professionals are increasingly choosing these professions as they offer the freedom to work independently on a flexible schedule allowing easier work-life balance.
It is also ideal for people interested in starting their own businesses. Whether you want to become an image consultant or a soft skills trainer, a professional degree is a must. Enroll for image consulting or soft skills training courses and kick start your next career.
3. Data Scientist
This is one of the hottest jobs in the market at the moment that offers an exciting new career. In 2012, the Harvard Business Review called a data Scientist job the “sexiest job of the 21st Century.” Ever since the demand for this job has only seen an uprise.
In 2018 alone, data scientist job postings on the Indeed career portal has increased by 31%. If you enjoy data and number crunching, have the technical expertise and willingness to take up a challenging job, this is your thing.
Conclusion
The decision for a midlife career change should never be motivated by a higher pay scale. Consider your career move based on what inspires you and select a career that will empower you. As Winston Churchill famously said, “If you find a job you love, you’ll never work again…”