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Last Updated on June 13, 2025
Key Takeaways
- Recognize the Catalyst: Understand what’s truly driving your desire for change, whether it’s job dissatisfaction or external life factors, to avoid misdirected decisions.
- Clarify Your Goals: Define what you want from a career shift, such as reduced stress or greater fulfillment, to help steer your path more effectively.
- Reassess Your Strengths: Take stock of your current
skills , personality traits, and working preferences to identify roles that are better aligned with who you are today. - Leverage Your Experience: Reframe your past work to highlight transferable
skills that can demonstrate your value in a new industry or role. - Set a Realistic Timeline: Avoid endless indecision by establishing a firm deadline, such as one year, to plan and execute your career transition.
We’ve all heard of the “mid-life crisis”. More recently, the ‘mid-twenties’ crisis has even become a thing. We use these terms to describe someone who has reached a point in their life where they feel the need for change. Sometimes, these changes emerge unexpectedly and are far from what the person in question or anyone else expects. Hence, the label of crisis.
In truth, though, these times of change are when we’re most in tune with ourselves. They are moments when we face our dissatisfactions head-on and consider how we can get closer to the lives we want. Some people allay such feelings by dyeing their hair a different color or getting a new car. For others, though, the need for change runs deeper. In these cases, an individual’s scrutiny will often fall on their career.
Feeling stuck in your career? It’s never too late to pivot. Learn how to recognize when it’s time for change, assess your skills, and plan a smart transition that aligns with your goals. Take control of your next chapter. Read now. #CareerChangeClick To TweetOur jobs form a considerable part of our lives. The majority of us spend more time working than anything else. As such, it makes sense that we lose patience with jobs that don’t set our hearts racing. It’s not uncommon for individuals to crave career changes in their later years. After all, we are constantly changing and evolving as people. A career that was perfect for you in your early twenties may not suit you anymore. If you think this is the case, it’s essential to permit yourself to make a change.
Career changes in later life can be a significant challenge. When you’re young, you have a variety of options. You can jump in and out of careers until you find one that suits, and no one judges you for doing so. When you’re older, the path to a new career can’t be so erratic. Short-term stints in a variety of jobs can do real damage to your resume. Additionally, bills and commitments make it impractical.
Instead, your career change needs to be thought through and a careful process. Before you consider handing in your notice, ensure you have a clear idea of where you intend to go. The best way to work that out is to ask yourself a few crucial questions. The exact content of those questions will vary from person to person, but this list should serve as a good starting point for anyone.
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What incited the change?
First, you need to know what caused your desire for change. Without getting to the bottom of this, you’ll find it nearly impossible to progress. To start with, ensure that it’s your career, rather than something else, that’s causing dissatisfaction. When we’re unhappy with our lives, we often focus on the wrong areas for improvement. If you let a general dissatisfaction pull you away from a career you love, you’ll soon regret it. So, think carefully about where your main unhappiness lies. If it’s elsewhere, try solving those issues before focusing on your job.
And, the work doesn’t stop there. If your main unhappiness is your job, there are still things to consider. You need to work out why your current career makes you unhappy. It’s the only way to ensure your new one can bring a higher level of happiness. Sometimes, we like our jobs but don’t get along with the people we work with. Other times, it’s the nature of the work that doesn’t suit. Perhaps you’ve been locked in an office for years, and want the chance to work outside. Write down a list of all the things you dislike about your job, and rate each point regarding importance. Return to this time and again while deciding on a new career.
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What do you want to get from the change?
It’s also important you consider what you want to achieve from the change. Are you seeking a job with greater satisfaction or a role with less responsibility? Determining this is crucial to ensure happiness. The types of careers that would suit them vary widely depending on these factors. For example, a care job would be ideal for someone looking for satisfaction, but wouldn’t suit someone looking for an easy life.
It’ll help if you keep in mind the list of downsides you’ve written about your current career. By examining these, you should be able to identify common themes that will help you closer to your goal. If both long hours and stress factors are present, you can be sure you’re looking for an easier life. If a lack of respect is a common theme, it may be time to consider a management role instead.
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What is your skill set?
Now that you have a better understanding of how to achieve happiness, it’s time to consider your skill set. You probably expect to have a pretty good grasp on this by now, but you may find that it’s more elusive than you think. We often speak about skills and strengths when we’re young, but we rarely consider them when we’re older. As such, you may find that your mind draws a blank when you get to this stage. Don’t worry. Practice patience and approach this as if it were for the first time.
Start with the basics. Are you an extrovert or an introvert? This should be something you already know a lot about yourself, so it’s a good place to get going. It’s also essential to address this upfront. An extrovert would likely thrive in a teaching role, while an introvert might struggle to get along. At the same time, an introvert would likely excel in a job such as writing, while an extrovert would probably struggle with it. Do you prefer being in front of a crowd, or would you rather work in isolation?
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It’s also worth considering whether you’re an academic or a practical person. This is probably something you haven’t thought about since leaving school, but it’s essential. Even if you used to hate the classroom, consider where you are now. It’s possible that you now have a greater appreciation for academia than you once did. Or, perhaps life has taught you that keeping your head in books isn’t the best way forward.
If you’re willing to give academia another go, consider returning to education. This is a surefire way to earn a substantial amount of money at the entry level in your new career. That said, more practical individuals can gain qualifications in other ways. If you want to give something like mechanics a go, you could always study an online course, like a Master of Engineering. That way, you can get stuck straight in and still rest easy that you’ll earn a decent wage at the end of it. Consider carefully which option would best suit you.
It’s also worth considering whether you’re a leader or a worker. Perhaps you shied away from management when you were younger because you lacked confidence. But your experience in the working world may have changed that. If you have a craving for leadership, you’ll find it difficult to flourish under someone else’s command. However, if you prefer to get your head down and do someone else’s work, management may not be the best choice.
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How can you use your experience?
You should now be much closer to knowing the right path to go down, and may even have a few career ideas floating around. Good for you. But now begins the hard work of breaking through and getting people in your chosen field to take notice. If you’re going down the qualification route, you’ve already got this covered. If not, you need to think of an alternative approach.
Spend a little time thinking about what you’ll include on your new resume. We all know that your success hinders what you include in the “previous experience” section. However, when changing jobs, this can be a tricky issue to overcome. Your new career choice may, after all, be the complete opposite of what you’re doing at the moment. As such, it appears from the outside that your experience will be subpar. But, that’s far from the case. All you need to do is get creative with how you present it.
The best approach would be to consider any similarities you can identify. All workplaces share certain commonalities. Simple things, such as handling money, dealing with the public, and attending business meetings, are worth mentioning. If you’re applying for a management role, draw on situations where you had to take control. You could even discuss the close relationship you’ve with your current boss and how they’ve inspired you. Anything that makes you look like a plausible candidate is worth using!
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What’s your time frame?
As you can see from the above, it’s easy to get caught up in the process of choosing a new career. Make sure to maintain your momentum by setting a strict deadline for yourself. You don’t want to push yourself, but you also don’t want to be considering this in two years. Be realistic, by giving yourself a year or so. Then, work hard to get out of your job by that date!
Next Steps
- Reflect on Your Motivations: Write down the reasons you’re considering a
career change and evaluate whether they’re emotional, practical, or both. - Assess Transferable
Skills : List your current strengths and identify how they can apply to new roles or industries with better alignment. - Explore Viable Career Options: Research careers that match your personality type, lifestyle goals, and skill set using reputable career-matching tools.
- Plan a Realistic Timeline: Set a 6- to 12-month timeline with key milestones to ensure a smooth transition without jeopardizing financial or personal stability.
- Seek Guidance and Support: Consult with a career
coach , mentor, or trusted colleague to validate your direction and identify potential blind spots.
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Final Words
Career transitions—especially later in life—are not only possible but often deeply rewarding when approached with clarity and purpose. By understanding what drives your dissatisfaction, identifying roles that better reflect who you are today, and building a structured plan, you position yourself for success on your terms. Remember, thoughtful change isn’t risky—it’s strategic. Whether you’re chasing fulfillment, freedom, or flexibility, the time you
Whether you're a seasoned professional in search of a career change or a beginner just entering the working world, you want to make the right choices from the beginning.
Mark Fiebert is a former finance executive who hired and managed dozens of professionals during his 30-plus-year career. He now shares expert job search, resume, and career advice on CareerAlley.com.
