Changing career at 50?
If you’re wondering what the advantages of changing career at 50 could possibly be, you might just benefit from this injection of positivity by Sandra Swan.
As a career coach who specialises in midlife career change, I know first hand the unique challenges that changing career later in your working career can bring. But my focus for this blog is about the uniquely positive things that this age group has going on when it comes to changing your career at 50.
Let’s face it, it takes guts to move from the known to the unknown and that’s why I take my hat off to anyone who manages it at 50, or at any other age for that matter. Here are what I consider to be the first three advantages of changing career at 50:
1) A Wealth of Experience That Money Can’t Buy
All that experience simply cannot be matched by younger career changers. You’re not just at advantage because of the number of positive experiences you’ve gained. Think of all the learning you have gone through too. You are likely to fall down way fewer holes in your new career than would have been the case 20 years ago!
2) A Good Reputation Means you Have Trusted Supporters
I was speaking with a 50 year old client recently. He has been working on his plan to leave the corporate world to set up as a self employed consultant. I was focusing the session on the advantages he has over his younger colleagues. One of the most obvious was his 30 year reputation as a reliable, trustworthy, honest, not to mention efficient and indeed brilliant manager. The specific skills he’s gained within his industry are second to none. This places him in a fantastic position.
Selling to someone who hasn’t used your services before is way more challenging than picking up the phone to someone you’ve worked with for the last 20 years and asking how you may be able to help them. Even if they can’t help you with work there and then, you can be sure they will genuinely look out for you in any way they can now that you have asked.
3) A Healthy Network of Contacts
Its a fact. You have a way longer list of good contacts, than you would have had 20 years ago. Once you’ve got clear about what you want to do in your next career, go through your list and think about how each of your contacts might be able to help you. Its important that you get clear first. Once you’re clear, you can contact them with a specific request, such as information, a contact, help fleshing out an idea, a job!
Think about how you feel when someone you respect asks for your help. Feels good doesn’t it. Don’t be shy. Get clear, and get asking! For help about getting clear, you might benefit from a clarity session with me.
In a world where long term careerists are more and more re-examining their lives and looking for more meaning, I know for a fact that you are not alone. Look out for Part 2 where I’ll be giving you three more advantages!
I hope I have offered you some appetizing information about the uniquely positive aspects that your age group enjoys. If you feel encouraged to explore changing your career, then do contact me for a free 40 minute evaluation of your situation where I can help you get clear about what you want and how to get there.
Warmly,
Sandra