Your Stress-Free Guide to Changing Careers at 40

Stop us if this sounds familiar: You’ve been in the same job for years, but either it’s getting harder to get out of bed in the morning or your paycheck isn’t stretching as far as it used to. But it’s been years since you updated your resume and joined the job hunt. You know you need a change, but how?

Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Let’s explore signs it’s time to change careers and a step-by-step guide to getting started.

Is 40 Too Late to Change Careers?

It’s never too late to change careers, not even after 40. Changing careers is extremely common. Based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), people hold, on average, between nine and 12 jobs in a lifetime.

Even though job switching is common and you may already know that’s the step you need to take, it can still be an intimidating process. In your 40s, you’ve likely established your life, family, finances, skills, and professional network. Thinking about finding a new job at 40 means weighing the pros and cons of leaving, even if you’re confident you need something different.

But that doesn’t mean 40 is too late! If anything, it’s an exciting time to leverage your existing knowledge and skills to find something that better fits your life and goals.

Reasons to Switch Careers Now

You may already know why you want to switch careers, but if not, let’s look at some common reasons to make a change.

• You no longer find fulfillment or purpose in your current role.
• Your current income isn’t keeping up with your expenses and dreams.
• You want a better work-life balance or an alternative working arrangement, like remote or hybrid work.
• You now understand your true passion and want a career that aligns with it.
• You’re looking for a less toxic work environment or boss.
• Your skills have developed beyond the challenges your current role can offer.
• You’ve hit a growth ceiling at your current job and want to advance.
• Your industry is under threat from market changes or technological advancements.

Which of these reasons resonates most strongly with you?

How to Start a New Career at 40

Be Clear About What You Want

Spend some time reflecting on why you want to change careers. It might be something from the list above. It might be something totally different. The point is to find your why.

Your why should be a reason you deeply believe in, whether that’s more financial stability or a more advanced job title and more responsibilities. Don’t be afraid to dream big during this stage of the job change process. Consider avenues you might not have thought about or dreams you put on the shelf a long time ago. In short: What do you actually want out of a job?

Tap Into Your Network

Switching careers in your 40s is less about applying to everything you see (first job out of college, anyone?) and more about the people you know. Since you’ve spent years in the workforce building your professional network, now is the time to capitalize on that.

If you’re not already, get involved with networking opportunities in your industry or the industry you want to go into, whether that’s online forums or in-person gatherings (or, ideally, a mix of both). The old saying “It’s not what you know, it’s whom you know” is at play in this stage of your career.

Another way to leverage your network is to update your LinkedIn profile. Make sure your headline is an accurate reflection of the skills you have, not fluff. How many times have you seen someone describe themselves as a “guru” on LinkedIn and thought, “That doesn’t tell me anything about you?” Don’t fall into that trap yourself. Instead:

• Make sure your LinkedIn profile picture is recent and professional.
• Update your job history so it focuses on your skills and impact more than your list of duties and tasks.
• Update your list of skills and certifications to reflect your achievements and knowledge.

Use the Open to Work profile setting. Keep it set to Recruiters Only if you’re still employed; otherwise, don’t be afraid of that green profile ring!

Identify Your Transferable Skills

Chances are, you’ve already got a solid foundation of skills that can transfer to a new industry. Soft skills (or durable skills) like leadership, problem-solving, communication, and project management are valuable in just about every field. Identify your current strengths and highlight them in your job applications.

Update Your Resume

It’s probably been a while since you dusted off your resume. Modern resumes focus more on achievements than a simple list of responsibilities.

Use bullet points to showcase results, like “Increased sales YOY by 30%” or “Implemented a training program that increased efficiency by 20%.”

The days of a one-size-fits-all resume are over, too. You may have to tailor your resume to each job application you make, depending on what skills the job description is asking for. Modern hiring managers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) and even AI to review applications and resumes, so the more keywords from the job description you include, the more likely you are to get called in for an interview.

The trick, of course, is not to lie on your resume. Don’t throw in keywords just to have them. Your resume should always reflect who you are and what you can actually do, not some idealized version of yourself that you hope fits what the hiring manager wants.

Consider Your Current Situation

Changing careers is exciting, but it’s also a big decision. You might be tempted to quit your current job and job hunt full-time. Depending on your circumstances, that might be the best option. Before you do that, take a realistic look at your savings and expenses.

Some things to consider:

• Should you stay in your current job while you look for another?
• If you need to quit right away, can you cover your expenses for a few months while you job hunt?
• Do you need a temporary job in between roles?
• If you need to gain experience or additional education or training, can you afford a temporary pay cut?

Keep in mind that switching careers can take several months or even years, depending on how large a transition you’re making. Finding a more advanced role in the same industry may take less time than switching from marketing to healthcare, for example.

Get Support

There’s no substitute for the benefits of community while you’re in a period of transition. Seek support from those around you, like friends, family, mentors, or professional networks. Career coaching can help you identify areas for growth, and industry groups can provide insider advice. Don’t be afraid to ask people who have successfully changed careers for advice!

Focus on Closing Skill Gaps

If there’s a gap between what you already know and what you need for the career field you want, upskilling is your best friend. Online courses, certifications, and even short-term boot camps can give you the technical skills you need to compete in your new field.

Platforms like SkillUp connect you with training options to help you quickly level up and make the jump to a new career, even if it’s in an entirely different field.

Make a Plan

While you may decide it’s best to leave your current job while you upskill, don’t just quit and hope for the best. Set clear goals, make a timeline, and break your career change into manageable steps. “Get a new job” is harder to accomplish than “Update my resume” or “Apply for five jobs this week,” so set yourself up for success with small, doable tasks.

Common Career Change Challenges

Although it’s worthwhile, changing careers is always hard work. However, it might be harder after 40 because:

• Rebranding and marketing yourself for the modern job market feels overwhelming.
• You currently have a skills or knowledge gap and you’re not sure how to bridge it.
• If you take a training course or go back to school, you have to balance your coursework with existing work and family commitments.
• You might feel anxious about starting over.
• You want a career change but don’t want to go back to school.
• It’s just hard to be a beginner again!

The good news? These challenges are all conquerable with the right mindset and resources.

Best Career Changes After 40

Your options for a career change are as varied as you can imagine. If you can dream it, there’s a way to get there. Here are a few high-paying, high-demand options to consider as you’re planning ahead.

Healthcare

Healthcare is a relatively quick field to enter, even if you need to completely reskill. An associate’s degree in nursing takes about two years to complete. Many community colleges offer programs that don’t require four-year degrees, like ultrasound tech programs.

The healthcare industry is stable and growing, so if you like helping people or find the medical field interesting, this could be your next step.

Here are a few roles in this industry you might consider, along with their average salaries (according to the BLS).

• Licensed practical nurses: $59,730
• Medical records specialists: $48,780
• Massage therapists: $55,310
• Community health workers: $48,200
• Medical assistants: $42,000
• Phlebotomists: $41,810

Data Analytics

If you love working with numbers and problem-solving, data analytics is a booming field with plenty of online training opportunities.

Typically, you’ll need strong analytical skills, knowledge of SQL, strong communication skills, and even some programming experience in languages such as Python or R.

According to the BLS, demand for data scientists is expected to grow 36% by 2033, and the average salary is $108,020.

Organizational Leadership

If you have experience in the corporate world, you already have a leg up for achieving leadership roles, like HR or operations management.

Here are some common job titles to consider and their average salaries:

• Human resources managers: $136,350
• Human resources specialists: $67,650
• Management analysts: $99,410

Check out these other business and financial occupations if you’re interested in climbing the corporate ladder.

Web Development

The world runs on the internet, and web development often offers remote or hybrid work roles. If you’re a project-oriented person, web development might be your thing. The average salary for this role is $92,750, and coding boot camps can take as little as nine weeks to complete!

Information Technology

Cybersecurity, cloud computing, and IT support are all fields that welcome career changers with the right certifications. Demand for these roles outpaces many other fields and are challenging yet lucrative options.

Similarly to web development, certifications for these career fields can be completed in a short time, and IT occupations have an average salary of $104,420.

Freelancing & Consulting

Take the skills you already have and be your own boss. Becoming a freelancer or consultant is a challenging but rewarding path. Writing, graphic design, marketing, and business consulting are areas that are good options for freelancers.

If you choose to launch your own business, networking will be your best friend. Focus on a clear value proposition for what you offer and get creative with finding new opportunities. Launching a successful freelance or consulting business can take time, but don’t be afraid to try it! Your expertise might be exactly what someone else is looking for.