“Middle age is when your broad mind and narrow waist begin to change places. – E.J. Cossman”
Changing your career in the second half of your life will feel very different from when you were younger. Becoming aware of our mortality changes our priorities and shrinks the importance of money, success, status and meeting others’ expectations.
You may have less confidence than when you were younger; have concerns about age discrimination and losing leave and financial incentives gained from long service.
During mid-life we realise the gap between our dreams and reality and want the next part of our life to be meaningful because we won’t get another chance.
For some of us a career change in the second half of our life is something we plan, a conscious choice to pursue a higher income, improved job satisfaction or work life balance.
Others may be caught up like me in the increasing wave of redundancies as organisations restructure and downsize as a result of the downturn in the economy. We all find change difficult and finding you have to reapply for your job, compete against your colleagues or take on a role you would not have applied for can be unsettling to say the least. Believe me I know!
But for many, redundancy can bring new opportunities for women who may have had a long career, feel ready for a change and need a nudge to take action. Sometimes being forced out of our comfort zone can be just what we need!
Whether you are forced into changing your job because of redundancy, are returning to work, hankering for a change, seeking a new challenge or better work life balance this 10 step plan will help you on your way.
1. Identify your values
In order to feel happy and fulfilled in our work we need to align the job we do with our values. List everything that is important to you about your job e.g. variety, financial security, achievement, belonging significance, power, autonomy, creativity, mental stimulation and so on.
Work is ideally an expression of who we are so use your list of values to guide and inform your decision making
2. Know yourself
Make four columns and head them, strengths, skills, knowledge and experience. Think about your hobbies, interests and life experience as well as current and previous employment. E.g. you are likely to have gained budgeting and organisational experience from looking after your family, gained problem solving experience and focus and tenacity from helping with homework. You get my drift!
3. Ignite your passion
What do you love doing? What makes your heart sing?
4. Inventory your accomplishments
What have been your proudest moments in and outside of work?
5. Establish the kind of work you want to do
Do you want to work full or part time? Do you want to work for an employer or for yourself?
6. What about the money?
How much money do you need to live your life now and when you retire? Whilst not being the most important thing, you need to earn enough to put bread on the table!
7. Create options
At this point your objective is to brainstorm a list of options and generate possibilities. Review the information you have gained from 1-6 above. Be flexible, non critical and think outside the box. Include every job that interests you, regardless of whether you think you can do it. Ask family, friends and colleagues to help you come up with as many as possible.
8. Choose your option
Consider each option carefully and ask yourself how does this option make me feel? What would change if I choose this option?
9. Identify obstacles
What could get in the way of getting the job you have chosen?
10 . Establish the resources you will need
Think about what support you will need and who will support you. What financial and training resources might you need? What do you need to know about?
Next time I will share some tips from my experience as a Manager for many years to help you sail through your interview
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than the ones you did” Mark Twain
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