Midlife Career Change: How to Make a Smooth Transition

How to make a midlife career change

If you feel the time is right to make a midlife career change, take the following steps to boost your chances of a smooth transition. 

1. Determine a new career goal.

Determining your new career goal is the first step in making a midlife career change. You may want to follow your passions in your career and build a business around a long-held dream. You may want to pivot to a related position in your current industry with more responsibilities and prestige. Consider your desires and options realistically and thoughtfully and decide on the career you want. 

2. Learn the relevant skills.

Changing careers midlife can be challenging, particularly from a skills perspective. While you’ve likely amassed numerous in-demand career skills and invaluable experience, you may need to learn or brush up on newer technological skills to compete with younger job candidates.

Mark Newman, who founded the recruiting platform HireVue, said it’s important to identify your strengths and potential areas for improvement when transitioning to a new company and role.

“An older worker restarting their career in a new field will face stereotypes regarding their lack of knowledge about technology,” Newman cautioned. “If the career is heavily reliant on new technology, they might also require additional training and have a steeper learning curve.”

Going back to school or enrolling in a certificate program can help you obtain the skills needed for your new career. Online resources like Skillshare cover newer technologies, such as social media for business and database management. Additionally, check job postings or review similar LinkedIn profiles to see what skills employers in your chosen industry are seeking.

3. Try out your new career.

Before committing to a new industry, do your due diligence. Research the field by talking to professionals in the space and networking with colleagues and contacts on LinkedIn. Alternatively, you could gain hands-on experience by becoming a freelancer and trying out the career to see if it suits you. As a bonus, freelancing will help you learn vital skills and add essential experience to your resume (see below). 

4. Update your resume.

It’s crucial to make your resume stand out when changing careers, particularly as a midlife professional. John Henry Weiss, author of Moving Forward in Mid-Career: A Guide to Rebuilding Your Career After Being Fired or Laid Off, recommends giving your resume a thorough redesign to showcase your strengths as you change careers. Include strong headings, such as “Technology Expertise,” to show you’re ready for the demands of a new industry.

Weiss also suggests highlighting evergreen skills and accomplishments that will impress hiring managers in any industry, such as your project management talents and instances when you achieved revenue goals or stayed within a budget. “Business is all about the bottom line. This holds true even for nonprofit businesses,” Weiss noted.

5. Prepare for younger colleagues.

While some midlife workers may transition easily to professional-level positions in a new field, others may have to start their journey in an entry-level role to learn the ropes. This can be both exciting and jarring, especially if it’s your first time working with superiors who are younger than you.

In this situation, humility and respect for your leadership team are crucial. You’re there to learn and grow, and your transition will be smoother when you demonstrate your admiration for your colleagues’ skills and knowledge. 

Being a good team player will also help your new peers recognize and appreciate your emotional intelligence skills and the value of your professional history.

“You have all your previous experience to draw from and will discover skills you thought would never prove useful,” Newman shared. “You have a vast network of connections that younger generations have yet to develop, [which] can provide added value to your new position.”

6. Network within your desired field.

It’s much easier to break into a new sector with a mentor or advocate who can help you. Effective networking can help you find those people. For instance, if you’re an arts publicist aiming for a career in human resources (HR), having someone in HR vouch for you can be invaluable, especially if you lack formal HR education or experience.

Maybe that person is someone you meet at an HR industry event. Perhaps your alma mater can help you land a job. If you’re lucky, maybe you have a close friend in a position of authority in the field. Whatever the case, reach out to these people, explain your situation and what you bring to the table and work to grow the relationship. Networking could be the key to opening doors in your new field.

7. Challenge your assumptions and be confident.

If you’re changing careers in your 40s, 50s, 60s or later, there is no reason to assume that you will be any less successful at starting over than a worker in their 20s.

“We are more physically and mentally fit to be productive workers well into our 70s and even 80s,” Weiss asserted. He added that, whatever your reasons for making the switch, a midlife career change is an opportunity to find work that you feel passionate about and that motivates you.

“Learn what kinds of work you really like to do,” Weiss urged. “If you look forward to going to work each day to do something that has meaning, your chances of success increase dramatically.”

8. Search for and secure your new dream job.

Armed with your career goal, refined skills, a killer resume and a support team of advocates, it’s time to apply for positions that match your career dreams. Consider industry-specific job postings, such as Upwork for freelancers, networking resources, word-of-mouth opportunities and other tools. Tailor your resume and cover letters to each role you’re pursuing and don’t hesitate to use references from your previous career to bolster your application.

Why do people make midlife career changes?

Midlife career changes — and career changes in general — aren’t unusual. Widely cited Bureau of Labor Statistics data reports that people hold an average of nine to 12 jobs during their careers, depending on their generational cohort. Additionally, according to the 2024 Work Trend Index report, 46 percent of professionals plan to quit their current jobs in the year ahead. 

Midlife career changes happen for numerous reasons for professionals, but one or more of the following factors is often at play: 

• They want to do more meaningful work: While many workers are happy with a pay raise or work to get a promotion with their current employer, midlife professionals often want to break free and do something more meaningful with their time. This goal often means changing careers. “People want to be significant and make a difference in this world,” explained Dean Niewolny, vice president of strategic engagement at OneAscent Wealth. “They want a job, but they really do care about leaving a legacy. They’re saying, ‘There has to be more to life than sitting in this office every day and hoping I get the next raise or promotion.'”
• They’re miserable in their current career: Weiss noted that career changes may be spurred by deep-seated feelings of unhappiness. “A midcareer worker may realize that [they are] totally unhappy with the type of work [they are] doing every day,” Weiss explained.
• They’re forced into a career change due to layoffs, closures or downsizing: Weiss also emphasized that midlife career changes may happen because of technological progress and industry changes, such as shrinking opportunities in print media. Layoffs are a very real — and unsettling — scenario for many midlife professionals, some of whom had envisioned staying with their jobs until retirement.

Signs it’s time to make a midlife career change

If you’re unsure about whether or not making a midlife career change is the right move, consider the following warning signs that a shift is warranted:

• You’re bored at work: If you’re constantly bored at work, it might be time for a career change. While office life isn’t always inspiring or exciting, feeling unfulfilled consistently is a red flag. Boredom can stem from a lack of being challenged, and a career shift might be the necessary motivation you’re seeking.
• There’s no room for growth: If you feel stuck in your current career with no opportunity to grow, you might consider changing industries or paths. A lack of goals can leave you feeling stagnant and unfulfilled. If you’re craving more opportunities for growth, it’s a strong indication that a career switch may be necessary.
• You’re battling burnout: While occasional employee burnout is normal, it shouldn’t be your constant state. If you dread daily tasks and feel exhausted constantly — both physically and emotionally — it may be time to explore alternative career paths that offer greater fulfillment. 

Benefits and challenges of midlife career changes

Midlife career changes are adventurous endeavors that come with pros and cons. Consider the following benefits and challenges of midlife career changes:

Benefits

• Midlife career changes bring a renewed sense of purpose: Because you’re pursuing a career path that interests you, making this change can give you a renewed sense of purpose and passion.
• Midlife career changes bring learning opportunities: New careers often bring new opportunities to learn and grow — both professionally and personally. 
• Midlife career changes bring improved job satisfaction: Shifting to a new career after being unsatisfied with your previous one can be uniquely fulfilling. You’ll enjoy a well-earned sense of accomplishment. 

Challenges

• Midlife career changes may bring insecurity: Since you’re diving into an entirely new career, you might initially feel a bit insecure in your role. However, as you gain experience, you should be able to build up your confidence again.
• Midlife career changes bring instability: Leaping into a new career can trigger a period of instability — financially, personally and professionally — until you find your footing.
• Midlife career changes may incur a pay cut: Often, when you shift into a new career, you must work your way back up the ladder — especially regarding pay. If you don’t have adequate experience in this new career path, you likely won’t have a high salary initially, which might mean taking a pay cut.

Jobs to consider for a midlife career change

Here are eight careers that midlife professionals may want to consider when looking for a fulfilling career change:

1. Teacher: Becoming a teacher can be uniquely rewarding. You get to channel your wisdom and experience to instruct and support others.
2. Marketing manager: Seasoned marketing managers earn six figures easily and it doesn’t take much to break into this industry. If you have a background in social media or digital marketing especially, you can likely learn the ropes quickly.
3. Data scientist: You can become a data scientist in nearly any industry. The role involves collecting, analyzing and interpreting data for various applications and helping companies make more informed decisions. 
4. Fundraiser: If you want to make a difference in the world, consider becoming a fundraiser who oversees donations for worthy organizations.
5. Recruiter: Becoming a recruiter is relatively easy, especially if you have a background in HR. Recruitment involves attracting and screening talent for specific positions within a company. 
6. Real estate professional: If you’re seeking more independence in your career, consider getting your real estate license to help clients find their dream homes. Depending on how hard you’re willing to work, you can make a lucrative career.
7. Freelancer: Freelancing is another career that’s ideal for independent workers. Find something you’re passionate about, such as writing, graphic design and sketching, and turn it into a career by working for multiple clients on a contract basis. You can earn a ton of money and enjoy a measure of freedom.
8. Consultant: A midlife career switch typically occurs after you’ve accumulated years of experience. As a consultant, you can use this to your advantage by offering advice and insight to clients about a variety of topics.

Examples of successful career changes

While it may seem unnerving, midlife career changes can be highly successful. Here are three examples of famous individuals who entered new fields with little experience after working in another industry for years.

Julia Child

Few people are more famous in the world of cooking and food media than Julia Child. But before the late icon brought her French cooking to the United States and hosted The French Chef, she was a copywriter and intelligence officer. Child didn’t become a celebrity chef until 1961 — when she was nearly 50 — upon publishing the bestselling cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

Ronald Reagan

Actor Ronald Reagan entered politics in his 50s after announcing his candidacy for governor of California in 1966. He won and served two terms. He failed to obtain the Republican nomination for president in 1968 and 1976. However, he finally received it in 1980 and eventually became the 40th president, serving from January 1981 to January 1989.

Vera Wang

Before making herself the namesake of what’s now one of the most iconic wedding dress brands, Vera Wang was a figure skater and journalist. She attempted to make the United States Olympics team in the late 1960s and then took an editing job at Vogue. After working there for 17 years and spending another two years at Ralph Lauren, she left to launch the Vera Wang label at age 40.

It’s never too late to transition into a new career

If you’re ready to change your career but feel discouraged, know you’re not alone. Shifting to a new path is no easy feat, but it will likely be well worth it in the end. Your fulfillment and satisfaction impact how you show up to work. If you’re burnt out or stressed in the office constantly, this negativity will bleed into other areas of your life.

Thankfully, a career change is an option at any life stage. With the above tips and some steely resolve, you can ensure a smooth transition.

Katharine Paljug contributed to this article. Source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.