So you just turned 50 and you feel that you need a change from your occupation. Is this common? Read on!

We work with a range of client age groups, and it’s common to hear “I just turned 50, and I need a break from this job” or “I’m in my late 40s and have been working for this company for 17 years, it’s time for a change”. 50 does seem to have a psychological affect on one’s overall life perspective, so it makes sense that your job is included in the internal discussion regarding where you need to be at a particular period.

Some people are unclear of what type of job or perhaps what kind of profession they wish to obtain or change. We think it’s important to get some clarity on a few items.

Marketability

It’s important to understand that there are some transitions that are easier than others. In other words, if one works as Sales Director and wishes to become a massage therapist, there are some additional schooling items attached to this transition. The farther away from your core job you wish to go, the more effort is required. Although not impossible, one needs to be realistic and having a plan before you quit is really important.

Pros and Cons List

This exercise has been around for ages, and is very effective. It allows one to sit and concentrate on what they liked and disliked about their job or profession. By examining these items, one can see a connection between happiness and negativity.

Financial Consideration

You are making the most money now than in any previous job within your working career. You may have up-sized a few items as well, new house, some big boy and big girl toys etc., so moving to the unknown can add additional risk to your financial situation. Having a good financial plan in place prior to exiting a company is important. You may need to fine-tune you expenses and reassess a few discretionary items.

Job Preparation

Now that you have a plan or some kind of plan, you should get your resume up-to-date. We recommend a chronological resume as skills-based documents are least effective (too abstract). You should also utilize your network and start testing the waters with some job boards. You can upload your resume and see what kind of interest contacts you. Be aware that these profiles can be searched by your company, so they may know you’re looking elsewhere. Defintily use LinkedIn as it’s a great tool for sourcing positions and making connections.

Hope you enjoyed and learned something from our article. If you have any questions feel free to contact us. We love questions.