Strategies for Mid-Career Job Changes

How to Assess Your Current Career

As you consider making a mid-career change, start by assessing your current career. Take an honest look at your current job — what do you like and what no longer serves you? Are you feeling stuck in your current job? Maybe you’re yearning for a change in work culture, or more opportunities to use your skills. Reflect on your current job and career trajectory, and think about what you’d like to change.

Start Networking & Research

Once you have a better understanding of where you’d like to take your career next, start networking and researching your options. Connect with industry professionals who may be able to point you in the right direction. Ask for advice and experiences from people who have made similar career decisions. Research new employers, industries, and job roles to see what other opportunities may be out there.

Update Your Resume

Make sure your resume is up-to-date and reflects your current qualifications and experience. When evaluating a potential mid-career job change, employers will want to see how your skills and career path up until now have prepared you for the position. Emphasize any transferable skills you have and show the ways in which your experience is well-suited for the job.

Highlight Your Achievements

When you apply for a new role, make sure you’re putting your best foot forward. Highlight your successes and showcase what you’ve accomplished in your current career. Make sure you’re emphasizing your strengths and quantifying your achievements as much as possible. This will not only help you stand out from the competition, but it will also give potential employers a better understanding of how your skills and achievements may add value to the company.

Update Your Skills

Changing careers mid-career often means learning new skills to better suit the job. Make sure you’re acquiring the necessary skills to make the job switch, and brush up on any skills you need to demonstrate competency in the position. Maybe sign up for a training course or participate in an online webinar. Also, don’t forget to highlight your commitment to learning new skills and suggest any courses you have taken in the job application.

Know Your Worth

When considering a mid-career change or transitioning to a new company, make sure you’re aware of your worth. Understand the salary range for the role you’re applying for and make sure to negotiate for a fair salary. Knowing your value and communicating it to potential employers will help you stay on track to making the mid-career change you desire.

Stay Confident

Making a mid-career switch is no easy feat, so stay confident throughout your process. Making a job transition can be intimidating, but remember that your skills and experience not only make you a great fit for the job, but they also make you stand out from the crowd. Take the steps needed to increase your chances of a successful job transition, and stay confident that you have what it takes to make your mid-career change happen.