By Samuel Rosenberg
DECIDING to change jobs or career path during your 40s is not unusual for those passing (approximately) through their midlife point. This is the stage when many people begin to talk about a change in their career. You would not be alone embarking on a second career at this stage of your life.
When you talk to your parents or grandparents, they will tell you that back in their day, numerous young people joined a government department or company when they left school, with the full intention of staying there until the day they retired. This doesn’t happen so much in modern times as job security has changed completely after years of recession, upgrades in modern technology and changes in employment behaviour.
People’s priorities change over the course of time and at some stage they may choose to refocus on different priorities that become more important in their life and this is all completely understandable.
Apart from the traditional cliché of entering a midlife crisis, how are you supposed to know if the time is right to make a sensible or risky change to your career path, job and potential prospects? Many of the answers will lie within your own character. You will need to carefully reflect both on your job and your priorities to yourself and your family.
For some individuals, the changes necessary are derived from a desire to work fewer hours or provide greater flexibility within their work schedule. Where your employer cannot help you with the significant changes in your work style, you may have to consider job searches so you can accomplish your new targets and goals.
You may have noticed that your attitude towards your work has become a little apathetic and you may consider that you do not care particularly about the job that you are completing every day, every week. These may be good indications that it is probably the right time for a change.
On occasions, the company’s vision may have changed and become unacceptable within the standards that you carry with you, every day. As the passion for your company fades, the grass may appear greener on the other side.
Common sense will suggest that you should proceed carefully to ensure that your CV and job skills are up-to-date and that you only leave your current work when you have confirmed that you can take on a new position, elsewhere.
There are times when you may be able to make a significant change to your work, but stay within the same government department or company, by moving into a completely new role that meets all your criteria for change.
When you believe the time is right to completely change your career path, you must be able to confirm both your priorities and needs in order to decide which future is right for you. This is the time to call in the professionals and consider completing conversations with career coaches and counsellors so you can identify which skills will support you during the change process.
The transition into a new career path at any stage is difficult, but your experiences in life will help you understand the skills you need to learn and the process you must go through to ensure a smooth change into your new vocation.
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Samuel Rosenberg is the founder and CEO of Axcel Finance Ltd., the leading regional microfinance institution. Share your thoughts and email your questions to [email protected]