Advice for Job Changing and Career Re-Invention for the 40+ Businesswoman  

Say you have worked for twenty-plus years in the same field for which you had been destined since college and graduate school. Maybe you have moved through several companies and have since acquired a refined skill set. However, over time your niche industry has evolved with advances in technology and other reforms. Younger, savvier colleagues are catching onto new procedures at lightning pace, leaving you in the dust. It comes to a point where you have to swim with the sharks or get out of the tank. Or  maybe the solution is that it’s time to get out of the water and dry off for a while.

Now that you have gotten over the initial realization that it may be time to transition to a new job as a “more mature” adult, do not fret. Consider this timeout as a gift to yourself to discover your true life’s passions, as a beginning of something new and exciting.

Update & Upgrade Your Professional Image

First, take stock of your talents and the many skills you have acquired over the years. Include both professional jobs and personal experiences from raising a family, to hobbies and volunteering.

The best investment at this point is to hire a professional career counselor to update your resume, develop a LinkedIn profile, and polish your interview skills. Things have changed dramatically in the past decade on how companies recruit and hire the best talent.  A career coach is an invaluable resource in giving you the most current status of hiring trends as well as an honest view on where you stand versus the competition. A consultant can also provide an objective view of your total profile and identify new opportunities where your skill set will be valued. If you want to be on an employer’s radar, you must effectively communicate the relevance and benefit of your talents in fulfilling a particular job description.

Also, in today’s virtual world it is easier than ever to find on-line classes to expand your knowledge and ultimately boost your professional profile. Sites such as Lynda, Coursera, and Udemy have thousands of offerings in all facets of business, publishing, and technology. You can learn at your own pace, in a way that fits your schedule.

Or, if you enjoy interacting with professors and other like-minded students, then a local college or community center may be the place to find continuing education courses. Live classes are also a great way to network and compare notes with others who are seeking a new venture. Take advantage of learning lunches or other in-house training that may be available at your current company. Also look into tuition assistance benefits, if available. The funds are not just for the young, but the young at heart!

Never Give Up on Networking

If you have a particular (new) area of interest that you are considering for a career re-boot, seek advice from individuals currently working in the field. These days, there are many avenues to identify the seasoned experts with the explosion of social media such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and the like.

Although these tools are of course useful, the truth may be that there is no greater impact on your job search than plain old face-to-face networking. So look for opportunities at meet-up groups that may focus on a particular demographic or industry of interest. Local chapters of professional associations often have monthly meetings where members mingle and discuss hot topics in the workplace. These venues are most conducive to meeting the regulars and for subsequent introductions to key players.

Lastly, check your contact list of family, friends, and former bosses that may have “six degrees of separation” opportunities for meeting potential employers. Remember, it is far easier to delete an e-mail, text, or voice mail than it is to turn down a friendly, in-person request for an introduction.

Consider Alternative Ways to Use Your Strengths in the Workplace

If you still have a passion to remain in your current industry, think about finding a related position or setting where you can readily transfer your skill set. For example, if you are a tenured nurse in a hospital setting, a transition to an office-based practice, medical product sales, or a clinical research associate position could all be in your ballpark. Similarly, a career in education lends relevant skills to college counseling, admissions staffs, and adult continuing education programs.

Also, don’t be afraid of a lateral move in your existing company or another. In larger organizations, many employees are utilizing their technical product knowledge as a stepping-stone into sales, marketing and customer service positions. Remember, maintaining or even taking a smaller salary in a new job is worth the sacrifice if it means holding onto medical insurance, 401K matches, and other accrued benefits that may be hard to replace at another company.

Above all, you owe it to yourself to be in a job that you enjoy, not one where you are just going through the motions til another workday is over. Take advantage of the many resources around you to spark a new flame of excitement and happiness in your professional life.  Don’t try to mimic or follow someone else’s path.  As Oscar Wilde once said, “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” When you are true to yourself, and your life’s authentic purpose, the lost joy that you have been searching for will come back to you in abundance.