Many individuals want to change track at some stage along their chosen job path, and different occupational sectors change over time as well. It’s possible that a profession that was once rewarding and inspirational is no longer what you want to do. This may lead you to consider changing occupations before it’s too late. Changing jobs at 30 or any age is a serious consideration that requires careful thought beforehand.
In this post, we’ll go through why you should start a new profession at 30, and how to change careers.
Why would you start a new job at the age of 30?
At any age, changing jobs will have an impact on your relationships, money, life, and potentially even your health. The results and implications of switching from an unsatisfying to a rewarding profession are likely to be highly beneficial.
You’ve probably been working for ten years or more by the time you’re thirty. If you aim to retire at the typical retirement age of 65, you will have around 35 years left to work. If you want to discover a more rewarding and gratifying profession, you should do it while you still have a few decades left to enjoy it.
Many people do not have much responsibility at the age of 30, and it may be simpler to change occupations before possible unavoidable duties arise around the age of 40 or 50 such as mortgage payments, school fees, child care commitments, etc. Although changing occupations may be done at any age, with fewer obligations at 30, you’ll have more time to receive training in your selected sector, and a brief wage reduction to explore this new and exciting opportunity won’t hit you so hard.
How to Change Careers When You’re 30
When you’ve decided to change professions, the first thing you’ll want to do is establish a strategy and set goals to make the transition as smooth as possible. Here are a few things to consider:
1. Examine your present job.
Examine the components of your present professional area that you enjoy and dislike before making a drastic career move.
• What do I like about my present job?
• What led me to this line of work?
• What aspects of my present job do I dislike?
This self-evaluation determines what you are lacking, allowing you to understand how to achieve your goals.
2. Reevaluate your personal and professional connections
Individuals in your present line of employment may be part of your professional network. If this is the case, you should consider using your network to assist with your career change. Prioritize your connections who are actively employed in the sector you are interested in. Arrange a lunch or dinner appointment with one or two of them and do an informative interview with them, aka “pumping them for information”. This will help you get detailed information from someone who can help you figure out how you’ll fit into your chosen field or even their own business.
If you don’t have any connections who are presently employed in the field you’re interested in, you may try contacting your acquaintances who have a large social network. These people are involved in various social circles and may be able to connect you with someone who works in the field you’re interested in learning more about. Your networking activities will not only provide you with useful knowledge, but they may also lead to future possibilities.
3. Conduct in-depth research
A second degree or further education is required for many new careers.
For example, if you wanted to become a doctor you’d need to enter medical school. This would require you to take an entrance exam such as MCAT or GAMSAT. Proper research will tell you the best way to pass these tests and the best way to prepare. You’ll almost certainly need to do an MCAT or GAMSAT practice test before attempting the real thing.
Investing time and money in a second degree, on the other hand, may not be essential before making a job change. Whatever the case, you should do a comprehensive and in-depth investigation on what you’ll need to make a job move. Work search engines are helpful resources for determining what kind of training, education, and skills you’ll need to acquire your new job. You may also determine whether your expertise and talents are transferable by visiting the corporate websites of the positions that interest you. Experience, attitude, and talents are valued by many hiring supervisors above formal schooling.
4. Learn new talents It’s possible that you don’t have all of the abilities you’ll need to start a new profession. You’ve probably done your homework on the career you’re interested in and know what abilities you’ll need. If you need additional information, ask your contacts what skills you’re lacking and if they have any suggestions for acquiring them.
Many online courses are available that may also offer you the skills you want for your new industry. There’s also a method known as skill-based volunteering, which enables you to develop relevant skills while building your résumé and experience by using ones you already have.
5. Acquire useful experience
While you are looking for a new career, you’ll most likely want to maintain your current full-time employment, and your opportunities to get extra experience may be restricted. There are, however, chances to freelance, volunteer, or even shadow someone in the sector of your choice. While you continue to work in your existing profession, freelancing will enable you to earn extra money while acquiring expertise.
During your vacation, you might potentially volunteer or shadow. This may be unpaid, but it’s a fantastic method to get experience for your CV. Employers value unpaid experience equally as much as paid experience.
6. Make a new résumé
The easiest technique to rebuild your resume is to open it up beside a blank page on your computer screen. Examine your résumé and reconsider what you’ve accomplished in each role. Employers will want to see abilities and information that are relevant to the positions you are applying for. You should better grasp how to style your resume to match the positions you’re looking for based on your study about the role and business.
To persuade hiring managers that you have what they need, try taking out extraneous material and adding in anything that might be deemed relevant experience. Examine job descriptions for keywords and use them in your CV to conform to industry norms.
7. Never give up.
Maintain a sense of bravery during your job hunt. Be confident in your experience, training, and talents, as these will assist you in finding a new and fulfilling job. Because a new profession may not come with ease tenacity is a vital trait. So don’t give up!