Steps to safely change your career at any age

If you are 30-40 years old, you have at least 25 years left to master a new promising profession. And it is much more reasonable to decide on such changes than to make yourself suffer until retirement. If you fear losing stability, starting from scratch, or facing financial difficulties, this article is for you. Follow these six steps to minimize all risks when changing your profession.

6 steps to safely change your career at any age

1. Prepare a financial safety cushion

The first thing you should do if the idea of changing your profession has been in your head for a long time is start saving money. You must have a financial safety cushion if we’re talking about safe life changes. She acts as a guarantee that, despite the difficulties that have arisen on your way, you will be able to provide for your basic needs and maintain the standard of living to which you are accustomed.

Otherwise, you are unlikely to be able to survive the changes without severe mental stress. The amount that needs to be postponed before quitting is determined by every one for himself, based on his needs and desires. But it’s best if it’s 2-3 of your monthly salaries. Admit it, there are different situations: maybe a couple of days after you leave, your smartphone will break, the landlord will ask you to leave the apartment, or you will need qualified medical care.

2. Assess your skills and recognize your limitations

You are an adult who already has work experience. You don’t start everything from scratch in a new place. At least you already clearly understand how to work in a team, solve work problems, think critically, learn new things, find compromises, negotiate, and so on.

In addition, you have specific professional skills that you can apply. It’s not a big deal, even if you choose a profession that has nothing to do with your past jobs. Lack of knowledge in many fields can be made up for by good communication skills and a desire to learn new things.

Make a list of what you know, can do, and have experienced that might interest the person hiring you. If you realize that you do not have the necessary knowledge, go online to search for the required information. You will likely find many free online courses, lessons, guides, and so on that will help you close the gaps. If not, then consider buying training.

3. Get rid of the negativity

It is essential to ensure that your psyche takes out all the planned changes in life. To do this, you must try hard because changes can be frightening. If the people you communicate with, your family and friends often speak negatively about your desire to change your profession, ask them not to bring up this topic in your conversations.

If it doesn’t help, reduce communication with them, at least when you require serious decisions and active actions. If you hear from your loved ones daily that something will not work out for you, you will lose faith in yourself. Work with your own beliefs, too.

When your brain starts throwing negative scenarios at you, don’t rush to scroll through them and change your decisions. Proceed from the opposite — think about what will happen if you succeed. In the worst case, your attempt will give you the most valuable experience and understanding that you must try something else. At best, you’ll get the life you’ve been dreaming of for a long time.

4. Explore a new profession

Take the time to properly understand all the nuances of the profession you want to master. Study the labor market requirements for specialists, make a list of necessary knowledge and skills, and get an adequate idea of wages.

Try to dig into the area that interests you more often: read specialized books, subscribe to blogs, and join forums and thematic communities on social networks. Use it to chat with people who have built a career in the profession you are interested in. This way, you can get a complete picture of the area you want to develop.

5. Do not quit until you master the profession

Many people do not want to change their profession primarily because they do not understand how and where to squeeze training into them. Quitting and sitting without a salary for several months is not an option available to everyone.

It is important to clarify what profession you want to master. Each field has its entry dates: someone will need several weeks to study, but some specialties imply a second higher education or professional courses lasting several years.

In any case, the safest option is to learn how to combine your work and study. Yes, it won’t be easy, but no one promised quick results without much effort. You will have to postpone rest and entertainment for later, go to bed a little later, get up earlier, and sometimes take time off from work.

But remember what you’re trying to do. You can study independently using information from the Internet or pay for a course — it’s up to you. The main thing is to be patient and master the art of self—discipline. Continue to work until you have the minimum knowledge and skills to enter a new profession.

6. Make the changes gradual

You don’t need to make decisions abruptly — every step should be deliberate. Define a clear sequence of actions, break down your plan into small goals, and implement them one at a time.

Try to consider all the nuances, collect a good knowledge base and skills, competently compose a resume, and do not underestimate the price of your services. In general, this is all that is needed for a safe change.: Take your time, be patient, and learn how to assemble an airbag for the first time.