Facing a Career Change
Facing a Career Change Economic times are difficult today, and many people are facing a career change in order to maintain their standard of living. As scary as that may sound, it gives many people the opportunity to renew the passion they had for their specialty by finding something new that they can really be interested in. Many people choose what they want to do in high school or their first year in college, and once they realize they have to spend the next 20 + years hammering that anvil, they find out it isn't what they wanted at all. Here are some tips to prepare yourself for facing that change that will make the transition easier when it comes: Be Passionate About Your New Career Have you discovered what your true niche is? Some people realize what they really want to do while working in the career they previously chose, and once the time for change happens, they are able to truly concentrate on what they are passionate about. It is much easier to choose a position that you can commit to after you have gained more experience, began living a certain lifestyle, and are more confident in your abilities to manage a career path than when you are fresh out of high school. Put some time and effort into choosing a new career path that you will really enjoy. Research New Training and Education When you are faced with the change, it is important to prepare yourself properly for your next move. Be sure to look into different training programs and schools, determine whether you will only need an additional certification or license, or if a degree will be required. Ensure that the school or training program that you choose is credible by checking its accreditation status and find out what other students experiences have been with that school. Feedback from students who have attended that institution is a great way to determine if that program will be worth your time, so be sure to seek out forums or reviews. Prepare Your Budget and Finances Many people do not appropriately prepare their finances and budget for the career change they are facing. When a person changes careers, it is possible that they will not make the same amount of money they made, either in a lower amount or in a higher amount of their previous salary. If your new salary will be lower than the salary you were accustomed to, make a new budget, cut expenses and make the necessary adjustments to ensure that your family will still be able to function.
How to stay employed at 40, 50 and Beyond
Recently, a friend of mine and I reminisced the past, when we were just kids in North America and when company’s had hierarchies with 20 levels (an exaggeration), but not that far off. You could visibly see your progress at work by the size of your office, expense account, car, title and then the worst unimaginable scenario took place. The word “Rightsizing” entered the English vocabulary.
My friend and I both agree that in the mid 80’s and early 90’s our path to organizational nirvana coming out of school diminished. Today, your personal growth is not as visible and your boss who 25 years ago as a VP would have had a great office and leather furniture now has a cubicle in an open office workplace environment. Now for those who wanted equality this works, however for those of us who wanted opportunity and clear visibility in our career’s something has gone wrong.
What we see today is a number of executives, managers and supervisors from the age of 40 and above lose their jobs. The executive search firms or head hunters if you will are receiving thousands of applications for every position posted. The competition is fierce and even for a recruiter and company it would be difficult to differentiate true talent from a great talker just based on the experience gained by so many of these candidates.
The challenge today is to keep your job and make yourself indispensable. Is such a thing possible even in a volatile economy? The answer is yes of course. But you can do more than that, at this time if you are still employed you are in the driver seat.
The truth is that it is still much easier to get a new job while you are still employed. In addition if your company just went through a host of cuts and you are still there chances are you have skills that are still needed.
So how do we keep the job that we have? How do we still get ourselves placed in the succession planning list for promotion? How do we get noticed by other company’s? The answers are plentiful however the work involved is a little harder.
Staying employed requires you the employee to demonstrate both your value to the company and second your external value in the job market. Experience and proven past performance will be the key winners in this job market.
Value to the Company: 1. Go out of your way to demonstrate your willingness to take on new assignments.
2. Be engaged, silent employees are usually deemed uninterested or uninvolved.
3. Offer to train new staff on your team this will demonstrate your skills and earn trust.
4. If you lead a team improve your leadership influence and impact.
5. Be clear about the organizations Mission, Vision and Values how do you contribute?
6. Keep yourself fit look and dress younger and be active.
7. Pick up a few courses and update your skills and business knowledge.
8. Read! Know what is going on in the world. Read your organizations quarterly report.
9. Get to know the decision makers one to two levels above you, look for ways to improve your visibility either through assignments or internal company social activities.
10. Stay alert to internal opportunities if you qualify let your supervisor know of your interest. Even if you don’t get an interview others will note your intentions.
The External Job Market
1. List out all the specialized skills that you have and identify the industries that may be interested in you.
2. Get to know the executive search firms that cover the industries you are interested in.
3. Start networking outside of work, charities, church, clubs and schools.
4. Signup for many of the free social networks on the internet. Don’t be like others waiting idol to be noticed. It is a busy world and you need to make noise.
5. Post your CV on most job portals, you have the option to keep yourself anonymous if you wish.
6. When writing your resume pack a great punch, you need to stand out.
7. Go for interviews get in the practice of answering tough questions.
8. If you lack experience in some areas take a night course, you’ll be surprised with the networking opportunities.
9. Re-create yourself if who you are today has not helped you get promoted, be honest with yourself and change.
10. If you can afford it get career coach to help you out.
Other Options
1. Is self-employment for you? Buy a franchise.
2. Start looking for a new place to work with stability now.
3. If you have transferable skills find work overseas in Asia.
4. Get another degree and start your second career in 3-5 years.
5. Enter a growth industry and get away from the Buggy Whip company.
The job markets will not get any easier and the time for self- improvement and personal change is now. One parting comment is that it is not your age that holds you back it is usually our attitudes and skills that come across as being older. Don’t get caught up in the idea that it is time slow down. That day is also over.
Exec-Guy
Interior Design or Home Staging: Which is Career Right for You?
Many women approaching their 40's write to me to ask my opinion about whether or not they should go to Interior Design school. It's an issue I struggled with myself many times over a twenty year period.
I interviewed a number of interior design schools at various points in my past career but never followed through on actually applying. I already had a BA, an MBA and years of experience. The thought of being a full time student for two to four more years with a bunch of kids twenty years younger than me was not very appealing. And the cost was huge considering the significant income I would be giving up over that period.
Over the past five years, I have been approached by a surprising number of interior design graduates that asking me to hire them for my home staging company, Six Elements, Inc. Most seem to be working as sales people in furniture stores and are looking for a way out.
Just this week, a woman called me who was working on 100% commission. I couldn't image working retail hours for a furniture store after studying interior design for four years and not even be earning a salary. If you are going to work on a commission-only basis, you should absolutely be in your own business. At least then all the sales come to you instead of a hefty percentage going to your employer.
Here's what I've learned over the past five years about being a Professional Home Stager instead of an "Interior designer":
* As a Home Stager you get many more projects to work on because each project is short-term in nature which translates to much more variety in the job.
* As a Home Stager your clients often give you complete creative control because they understand that they only have to live temporarily with the changes you make to their homes. So, you get to be creative AND make the decisions.
* As a Home Stager you get many referrals for interior redesign and color projects because your staging clients love what you do with the house they are selling and often ask you to work on the new home they are moving into.
* As a Home Stager you have a much larger pool of potential clients to work with because many people who would not normally hire an interior designer or decorator do hire a professional Home Stager when selling their home. As a designer fresh out of interior design school, I know I would not have been able to decorate hundreds of homes in so short a period.
Although I have never attended design school or a design course, the people who hire me never seem to care. They have usually visited my websites, heard about me from their neighbors or real estate agents or have read about Six Elements or Staging Diva in the media. They are not interested in whether or not I can tell them if their chair is Louis the XVI or if I can draw plans to build an addition to their house. They hire me because I'm an expert in decorating a house to sell.
Now that I've staged hundreds of homes, I'm so happy I followed my instincts and stayed out of Interior Design school, and it was a huge relief to finally let go of the stress I had about the decision. Once I had focused my creative energy and talent on my own Home Staging business, I knew I had made the right choice for me.
Finding Fulfillment at Midlife: Home Staging as a Second Chance Career
According to a study reported in Prevention Magazine, "79% of baby boomers expect to work at least part-time well into their golden years". The study revealed that "a growing number of adults are looking at their 40s, 50s, and 60s as the right time to start fresh in an entirely new field".
Craving a more fulfilling and meaningful career is one area of focus during midlife adjustment. As adults reach midlife, the importance of achieving goals and doing what makes them happy becomes much more important. This is the time closet authors, entrepreneurs, musicians or artists begin thinking about careers to match their passion for life.
Women are well represented in this trend, with more women than ever using their midlife as a springboard to experience positive career transformations. Most often, these women want to create something that has the ability to help others while at the same time helping themselves.
According to Entrepreneur Magazine, one of the best, high-growth service businesses is Home Staging (also known as Real Estate Staging or House Fluffing). This business is particularly attractive to individuals with a passion for decorating and an interest in real estate. Home Staging is a very low cost business to start because you don't need to invest in inventory or a retail location. And, with the slowing U.S. real estate market, the need for home staging services will grow as desperate home sellers look for alternative marketing solutions to avoid the significant price cuts recommended by their agents.
After staging hundreds of homes I can honestly say that no matter what the client's circumstances, I am generally doing work that makes a huge difference in the lives of my clients and that is very satisfying. People's reasons for selling a house vary greatly, but often my clients have to sell and sell quickly because of personal, financial or medical issues.
For example, many of my clients are couples going through a divorce. It is often a huge relief to them to have me as an independent third party make the decisions about what should be done to get the house ready for sale. They appreciate that I have no vested interest in either the husband or wife's point of view. I just tell it like it is! In many cases by using my services, the couple makes enough profit to enable them to have down payments for separate houses.
If you've been itching to reinvent your life and do something that reflects your real talents, I hope you will do whatever is necessary to seize the opportunity. Changing your job, career or lifestyle may take some work. But if you truly follow your passion, the effort will provide infinitely positive results.
Pursuing a Career in Cosmetology
Training to become a cosmetologist means aspiring to make people feel beautiful for a living. If you want to break out of the conventional career path, an education in cosmetology can help you along. Required Career TrainingFor most cosmetology professions, career training isn't optional. Rather, it's a mandatory step towards earning your license. While training for manicurists and pedicurists typically requires less time, full-time cosmetology training generally takes nine months to complete. In addition, cosmetologists must be at least 16 years old, hold a high school diploma or GED, and complete a licensing exam. Hiring managers in the beauty industry typically prefer or require prior education among the specialists they hire. If you're hoping to work in an area with high competition, you may consider an associate's degree over a certificate or diploma. The more educational experience you have, the stronger your resume may appear to a hiring manager in the field.Typical Cosmetology Coursework Take a look at some typical cosmetology coursework. Specific programs may differ based on your specialization and degree or certificate program.• Bacteriology and decontamination• Hair structure and color• Advanced hair styling• Nail airbrushing techniquesCoursework is designed to give you a solid foundation for your training without wasting time with general education coursework. You can move through school faster, which means you can get to work sooner. Work For Yourself as a CosmetologistNearly half of all barbers, cosmetologists, and personal appearance workers are self-employed. Whether you're ready to work for yourself or with a team of dedicated professionals, cosmetology training can take you there. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earned mean annual wages of $25,760 in 2007. That's just a few members of the cosmetology industry; here are a few other popular careers: • Manicurists and pedicurists: $22,020• Skin care specialists: $30,600• Makeup artists, theatrical and performance: $40,710Salaries can vary based on location, experience, and training. Expect the highest salaries to go to skilled, trained professionals with some experience in the industry. Self-employed workers have the additional challenge of word-of-mouth advertising and other business necessities. Additional business training may be ideal if you're hoping to work for yourself or start your own business. Enjoy a Bright Career FutureWhile no career training program can guarantee a particular career or salary, formal training is a smart first step towards working in the cosmetology industry. According to the BLS, job opportunities are expected to be good across the industry. The biggest hiring jumps are expected for miscellaneous personal appearance workers, including skin care specialists. When you enroll in a cosmetology program, you don't have to pick your specialization right away. For a well-rounded training course, try out different courses in hair, nails, and skin care. You can better determine your strengths and learn how to improve. From there, you can personalize your education and eventual career.
Top 10 Career Related New Yearâs Resolutions
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Here are the Top 10 Career Related New Yearâs resolutions:Â
1)Â Â Â Reduce work stress levels. Peopleâs jobs are the single biggest cause of stress (Source: Hazard Magazine), and stress can contribute to health problems, obesity and depression as well as affecting your personal happiness. Identify what is stressing you about work, and aim to reduce or remove it from your job entirely. Life is too short to be miserable.
2)Â Â Â Â Â Work part time or work from home 1 day per week. Technology now enables people to do a portion of their work from home. With broadband internet and phone access, you can do your admin tasks and attend phone conference meetings and avoid the commute. Productivity is greater at home as there are fewer interruptions. You can get more done in less time, and feel greater job satisfaction as well as seeing your family. Working 4 days a week may also be attractive to companies in this economic climate, if you can afford it yourself. Ask your Manager for the opportunity and demonstrate the value for them. Â Â
3)Â Â Â Â Â Up-skill and get a more challenging role. If you are bored in your job, the best way to get a new one is to up-skill and improve your resume. There may already be opportunities within your workplace to improve your skills, so look for those first. You can also do evening classes or a correspondence course to open up your career horizons.
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4)Â Â Â Make more money. Finances are worrying for many in this climate so making more money in your job is a common goal. If you want to ask for a raise, demonstrate your value to the company first and explain why you deserve it. You might also look at ways you can make money outside of work â a small part time business or clearing your clutter and selling it on EBay.
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5)Â Â Â Â Â Stop taking abuse from co-workers. Many people find work difficult because colleagues harass, abuse or just annoy them. Make 2009 the year you stand up for yourself, or report the co-worker who is making your life a misery. Make an effort to stay away from toxic work colleagues who drain your energy with gossip and negativity.
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6)Â Â Â Find out what you really want to do with your life and career. Many people say they hate their job but they donât know what else they would like to do. Identify what your skills are as well as what you would love to do. Ask other people what they think you are good at. Read some career related books and dream bigger than your current situation. You can have the career you want â it may just take some time to get there, but if you start now, youâll get there sooner.
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7)Â Â Â Improve work time management and efficiency. So much time is spent answering repetitive emails or attending meetings that donât run to an agenda. Aim to cut down on pointless administration tasks and improve work efficiency. Work smarter, not harder.
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8)Â Â Â Work proper hours and take leave. Somehow people have lost the idea of a 40 hour work week. Think how much time you spend commuting, working through lunch, working weekends, answering work emails at home and skipping leave for work commitments. Aim to reduce these and reclaim your time in 2009.
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9)Â Â Â Actively plan your career path. Many people say that they just âfell intoâ their jobs. They didnât plan to be in this job but somehow they ended up here. If you donât decide what you want and plan to get there, then you will find this happening to you. Decide what you want with your career and set specific goals and time periods for this to happen. This will open your eyes to new opportunities and you will be empowered to achieve them. Â Â
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10) Change jobs. Many of these goals may culminate in deciding to change your job in 2009, whether this is within your workplace, industry or starting something entirely new. Update your tired resume and brush up your interview skills, pump up your confidence and go get the job of your dreams!Â
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New Careers in Truck Driving For the Unemployed
Going back to school hoping to learn a new trade, many American’s are turning to truck driving as their unemployment benefits on are the verge of ending after months of disappointing searches for work in their fields. In just a matter of weeks, a person can attend a trucking school, obtain their CDL, and be on their way to making a paycheck in their new career as a truck driver.
There are many schools that offer training in what are classified as recession-proof positions. These include such positions as health care providers and law enforcement officers, but there is another part of the educational industry that has seen a boom in enrollment. Truck driving schools are doing a booming business these days as hopeful Americans sign up to learn a new trade in a short amount of time so that they can again make a living to support their families.
69% of all freight is still moved by trucks and in an industry that has a turnover rate of about 125%. There are always jobs for drivers with experience, a CDL class A license, and a clean MVR. Truckers are always looking for a job that pays better, runs the right freight lanes, has better equipment, or simply… somewhere on the other side of the fence where they hope that the grass is greener. Because of these reasons, there is a high turnover in the trucking industry and a high demand for drivers across the nation.
Experienced drivers have learned that hopping from company to company keeps them out of the better paying companies who are looking for stable and reliable drivers. Not many, however, and that is what keeps the cycle on the move.
Many drivers hope once they get on the road with a little experience that they can own their own truck either through a lease purchase program or by directly buying their own truck and leasing it on to a good paying company.
There are approximately 3 ½ million truck drivers in the country driving more than 400 billion miles annually. Regardless of whether it is fuel, food, or commodities, it is usually hauled by a truck somewhere along the way. Currently there is a shortage of drivers numbering about 20,000 a year but that shortage is expected to increase to over 100,000 within the next 5 years.
Many new truck driving students are looking to becoming a truck driver for a career change. Some have been laid off after 10, 15, or more years of service to their previous employer and they are looking for a career to support their families that can earn an income sufficient to do so.
There has been an increase in white-collar workers coming into the trucking industry since one draw is a good starting pay in the field. With experience the pay increases but it’s not an easy job. There is more to it than just sitting behind the steering wheel as many drivers soon learn once they start their training. The life of a trucker will keep a driver on the road and away from home for periods of time. Long days of driving hundreds of miles a day will make for a long week of work, but the paycheck at the end is what draws many to the trucking field.
The average starting pay is between $25,000 and $40,000 and the drivers can start earning a paycheck within a matter of weeks once they start their training. It doesn’t come as easy as hopping into a rig and driving down the road. There’s a lot more to it than many people expect. Driving a truck requires self-discipline and motivation. A person must be able to work without direct supervision and keep a schedule as well as maintain proper paperwork. There is a lot of responsibility behind holding the wheel of a rig weighing 80,000 pounds rolling down the highway.
For those select individuals that yearn for a more nomadic life and hear the call of the road, a new career as a truck driver may be the answer they are searching for. Make sure to do your homework and research the school and job arena in your area before signing your name on the dotted line. If you choose to join the ranks of Americans truckers, “Keep the shiny side up and the dirty side down! Truckin’ Up!”
Career Change – Are You Ready For Those First Small Steps?
Now begins the hard questions that you have to explore to make your decision. You need to begin evaluating who you are and what you want in life. Maybe a different job and not a different career is what you really want.
You won't know until you really take a good long look.
Step One - Identify What Suits You
The first step one should take when considering a career change is to make a list of jobs you want to explore. There are free career tests online to help you narrow down the list and decide what you want to focus on. Next you want to research your list.
Take a good long list and research all the jobs on it. Look into all aspects of these potential occupations you can think of.
Get a book from your local library so you can see all the good and potentially bad aspects of the occupations and get a book on career change while you are there. Career change can be scary but worthwhile.
What would bring you more happiness in your life? Are you looking for more money or are you more interested in affecting social change?
Step Two - Sounds Like A Plan
Any career change is going to require you to set some goals and make an action plan. Are you willing to get further education? Try to talk to someone in the occupation you are interested in.
Grill them about the skills needed, how they got started, what they see as the challenges. Any career change requires some flexibility on your part. Are you willing to go all the way and do what it takes to be successful. Do you feel passion when you think of it?
Trying to get an internship is one way to test your career change. Is it all you imagined it would be? Before you go out and get a degree, answer these questions.
Step Three - Tactics In Your Existing Job
If you are currently employed, keeping quiet about your plans may be the best thing for you. That may mean not telling co workers you are close too. You especially don't want anything getting to your boss if you are just testing the waters.
Remember many people before you have made a career change and were happier people for it. Finding a mentor to guide you can offer valuable career change advice.
This opens up a whole new network of people for you to gain experience and may eventually lead to a job.
For most of us the thought of a career change is so scary. But, if we all just stayed right where we are right noe, what more can life offer us? Look inside yourself and take inventory of what you want out of life and it is entirely possible that the fear is the only thing holding you back.
Sometimes it only takes one initial step to overcome fear and to get you up and running.
Preparing for Success in your Career Change
As you move through life, your needs, goals, and interests can change. If you've lost your spark for your current career, you may decide that it's time for a major change in occupation. While this can be a scary process, following these tips and guidelines can help you make a career change successfully and more easily.Review Your Current Career
First off, you may want to decide if it's your career or your job that needs changing. If you find that your company or industry holds promise, you may want to consider if there is another position within the company that would be more compatible with your job skills and interests. Don't be afraid to talk to your boss and to ask around in your company about other available positions. Employers have an investment in their employees, and an employee that expresses the need for growth and more responsibility can be considered an asset.List Your Skills and Aptitudes
Take inventory of your strengths and weaknesses before making a change. Your list of attributes should consider not only what you think you do well, but also where you have received your accolades in and outside of work. Also, be honest with your list of "needs to improve."Assess Your Interests
You should also write down what you enjoy doing in your spare time. Is there any way you can take a hobby and make a career out of it? If you find this process difficult, you can use career assessment tests online or at a college or university. These tests analyze your personality traits, skills, and interests. Some excellent assessment tests include the Meyers-Briggs (personality assessment), the Jackson Vocational Interest Survey (interests), and the Strength Finders Profile (skills and aptitude).Finding Inspiration
Many successful career changers will tell you they took their passion and turned it into a career. A great book for putting your interests and dreams to work for you is Wishcraft: How to Get What You Really Want by Barbara Sher. This book will show you strategies for determining your interests and discovering your skills and strengths. It can also help you develop a game plan to achieve concrete results.Analyze Your Income and Savings
Making a career change can mean a change in income, especially if you've decided that you need more education or training. Before moving forward, sit down and analyze the time and money needed to get a degree or certificate in your new career. You need to decide if you'll be able to continue your current job while attending school to fully determine your monetary situation.Do Your Homework!
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics is an excellent way to learn about different careers and the income potential, expected growth, and training and educational requirements. Research your chosen field by going online, reading trade magazines and testimonials, and talking to those in and around the profession. Volunteer or take a temporary job in your new field of interest. Doing so will allow you the opportunity to decide whether or not your new career is a viable one for you.Take Your Time
Remember, be honest in your assessments and take time to research carefully. Career changes are a big deal, and we want yours to be successful. Time spent now in preparing for your new career will lend to your success and enjoyment of it later.
Career Changes for Baby Boomers: Ability, not Age, Matters
Baby boomers. They're the generation born between 1946 and 1964. They came of age in the early 70s and early 80s. They're the generation that made changes and waves, worked harder and longer, put off marriage and children, did things differently than previous generations.
Whether because of financial necessity or because they have something to offer, baby boomers are staying in the workforce longer. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and projections indicate that by 2010 there should be 18.5 million boomers ages 45 to 49 in the labor force, as compared to 14.7 in 1995, and 16.8 million versus 10.6 million in the 50- to 54-years-old range.
They're still making changes. They're retiring later, or not at all. If not downsized or laid off, boomers often continue to work. When they don't choose to continue in the same career, it doesn't mean they're ready to stop contributing, and sometimes they're making transitions to new careers.
"On average there are three to five career changes in a person's lifetime and that's pretty common," says Kevin Gaw, Director of Career Development, University of Nevada, Reno. "It's pretty common that a layoff ends up being a great opportunity for someone to find something that's more suited to them, too."
But it can be challenging to a baby boomer to be suddenly confronted with a career change. They were raised in a world where you got your education, then got your job, and while you may not have stayed with the job until you retired, you would probably stay in the same profession. "It can be jarring to realize you have to transfer your skill set to another area," says Gaw.
In 2004, Gaw's office worked with 208 alumni. Nearly 7.5 percent were going through a career change, three percent because of a forced situation such as layoff or company closure or relocation. The rest of them just wanted to do something different. When you’re faced with an important career shift, there are things you can to do make it easier on yourself and achieve a more enjoyable, productive career change.• Look at your skills. Determine which are transferable to other jobs.• Find your passion. What do you love to do? "It's not about the money," Gaw says. "The money isn't what makes us happy. What makes us happy is doing something that's meaningful to us."• Look at reality. If you want to be an astronaut but can't do math, Gaw says, the reality is it's unlikely. People need to work through that disappointment and maybe change that passion to a hobby rather than a vocation.• Determine whether you want to make a radical career change? say from legal secretary to Web designer? or stay within the same profession.• If you like the company you're with but feel the need for change, see if they can retain and retrain you. If it comes down to a complete career change, there are also some things you can do to help create a whole new career for yourself.• Promote yourself rather than your age. Once you get into a position and can show off your skills, you'll be known for those skills rather than your years. • Start slow. Before investing heavily in education, determine if it's the right career path for you.• Network. Many non-entry level positions are found by references. Join professional organizations in the field you want to enter.• Consider working for yourself. A job market survey conducted in 2005 by global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., quoted on thematuremarket.com, indicated that of 3000 job seekers, 13 percent chose to work for themselves, and 86.6 percent of them were over 40. From Small Business Administration chapters based on most university campuses to SCORE? Service Corps of Retired Engineers? there are programs that can help you start up.
Another option is to leverage your experience and teach or train. Moving into training? coaching people just entering the profession you're leaving? is a fairly informal move. Teaching requires state licensing, and there are programs helping place retiring workers into teaching positions. The University of Nevada Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning takes executives through a first-time licensing program and puts them in the schools in just a couple semesters, often teaching in high-needs areas like math, science and languages.
Likewise, IBM unveiled their Transition to Teaching program in September, reimbursing them for tuition and providing stipends while they student teach. Many of their executives are highly trained in math and computer sciences.
Whether making a career change to a new profession or a new position, Gaw says such changes are a normal life pattern. "It's a good thing to be open to change. The challenge is recognizing skill sets and knowing how to capitalize on them and present them to the new opportunities."