Getting your dream job later in life
It’s very easy to find yourself settled in a job you aren’t happy with, wishing you could make a change but thinking it’s too late to do so. While making career changes can be a daunting prospect, you need to cast out this negative mind-set. It’s never too late to change your job, and if you’re passionate enough then you can make it happen.
Here are some top tips for how best to go about making a career change later on in life.
Set a specific goal- Don’t be ambiguous. When it comes to figuring out your dream job, just saying ‘journalist’ or ‘engineer’ is far too broad. Try and specify what you want as much as possible. Figuring out what niche to strive for in your chosen field will help you identify the skills you most need for that role and give you a more exact target to aim for.
Research and plan- It’s no use saying to yourself ‘I want to be a sports photographer’ but having no idea how to achieve it. Be sure to do plenty of research in your chosen field, and try to apply this research into a specific time frame. This will help you be more efficient and goal-orientated.
Don’t quit your current job straight away- While it might be tempting to completely cast off your day job if it makes you unhappy or unsatisfied, this is not the wisest course of action. Jumping into a new career can take time, and you’ll need some financial stability while you strive for your dreams.
Build up experience- There’s nothing employers value more than relevant experience. At first you might have to settle for non-paid experience to build up some sort of portfolio for your CV, but it’ll all be worth it later on.
Take an online course- If your desired career is skill-specific then perhaps consider taking an online course. There are a variety out there that can make for a great addition to your CV. Although, they do cost money and will take up your time, so it’s worth weighing up if they’re right for you.
Networking- Connecting with other people in your chosen field can be an invaluable resource. You can do this by attending career-relevant events or by reaching out online. Just remember to be polite, and that these people lead busy lives themselves, so don’t be offended if they don’t all reply. There’s nothing that can kill a future career faster than harassing a potential boss.
Persevere- Rejection is sadly an inevitable part of life, but don’t let this put you off. Try and think of rejection as a learning experience for you to improve next time. Ask for feedback so that you can see where you went wrong and improve for next time. While it may take some time, as long as you work hard and keep trying then all your hard work will pay off in the end. Always believe in yourself and keep pushing to achieve.