It seems like all the attention is on millennials these days when it comes to the new normal at American companies, but another really important demographic is also changing the dynamics of the workplace. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that by the end of 2016 one-third of the U.S. labor force will be in the 50-plus age category, compared with 27% in 2007.
But even if you’re just in your 30’s or even late 20’s, it can start to feel like you’re stuck in your career. So how old is too old to make a change in your career?
The fact is, people make all sorts of big and small career changes at a variety of ages. Our recruiters and career coaches see it happen every single day. People go back to school, pick up new skills, or drop out of jobs they’re tired of all the time!
Like we say often here at TalentBridge, the most important thing is to develop a plan. Don’t expect the process to be simple or quick. It’s likely to take several steps and a lot of dedication, especially if you’re very entrenched in your career. But the results can be very worthwhile if you’re feeling burned out about your current job, or you’ve always dreamed of doing something else.
Here are some guidelines for planning a career transition:
- Be specific with your target. Identify job titles that cover what you want to do, and the kinds of organizations where these positions exist.
- Identify the skills needed to succeed in these jobs. With any career change, you need to be clear on which skills you have. Find job postings and see what the expectations are for the kind of jobs you want. You may be closer to making a successful transition than you think.
- Identify the development you need, and get it. Which skills are you missing or need to strengthen? Do you need experience, courses, or a certificate program? See if you have the opportunity to develop new skills within your current organization.
- Develop a network. See how people got these jobs and ask what they would recommend for you. Use LinkedIn to identify people you know in the field. They may be able to refer you to jobs or search professionals looking for candidates.
That should be enough to get you started, but it’s still easy to feel overwhelmed when making such a big change. If so, feel free to contact our TalentBridge Vitae career coaching program. We have a team of dedicated professionals who love nothing more than helping clients achieve their dreams! Best of luck!