Career Advice For Your Midlife Crisis - 7 Tips

You've enjoyed your career for the past twenty years - maybe more. And now you're wondering: Maybe it's time to switch gears. A whole new career. Work at home. Retire.

Or maybe you're forced to revise your career due to layoffs or transfers.

(1) Expect midlife career change to be easier than entering the world of employment for the first time.

Most likely you enjoy a financial cushion: savings, home equity, and a retirement fund. You also have demonstrated skills and experience. If you're employed, your company probably offers resources for developing new skills and managing the transition.

(2) Expect midlife career change to be harder because you've invested in a career identity - way beyond skills and values. When you introduce yourself as, "Here's what I do..." you are also saying, "Here's who I am."

(3) Expect to change your appearance as you change careers.

Sadly, many individuals and organizations really do judge a book by its cover. Clients who want to start a business often are surprised by the increased need to dress up for presentations. An Armani label on a suit? A good start. But are yu wearing this year's suit? Colors that your target market deems "appropriate?"

Many career changes have opted for lower income in exchange for the opportunity to stay home and work in sweats or shorts - and, for women, say good-by to high heels and pantyhose forever.

(4) Recognize that career change often requires a geographic move.

Let's face it: Some places are just better for some careers. Your cost of living may be lower in a small city, but your opportunities to network will be limited. On the other hand, the lower cost of living may allow you to experiment with riskier ventures.

Often your own business doesn't depend on geography. Examples include Internet businesses, mail order shipment, and free lance writing. But you may need to keep on top of mainstream trends and where you live can influence your credibility.

(5) Expect to change your roles in all aspects of your life.

Family and community will view you differently. Some community groups assign You may have more or less time for your family (and they will view you differently). Board members based on the prestige of their day job. Some volunteer activities require you to be available on certain weekdays.

(6) Plan for a new social support system.

Lunch with coworkers. Drinks after work. Dinner with old friends on Friday night. You don't realize how much you enjoyed this support until it's gone.

Friendships change. When you leave a career, former colleagues can regard you with envy or suspicion. They won't understand your new world and the new challenges you face.

(7) Forget the myth, "If you can't be happy here, you won't be happy anywhere."

Many of my clients experienced career change following what seemed to be a midlife crisis. They were surprised to find their whole world looked different.

And that's why I say, "Career breakdown can be the first step to your major career breakthrough."

And now I invite you to learn more about how to master a major midlife career change. Visit Mid-Llife Career Change and down your FREE Report, along with your subscription to the Midlife Careers Ezine.

For the 21-Day Extreme Career Makeover, visit 21-Day Career Makeover

Career Assessments and Coaches - A Powerful Combination For a Midlife Career Transition

Assessment is essential. Gathering solid, dependable data about your midlife career client is the most efficient road to career coaching success. Midlife is said to commence when one ceases to measure one's life in terms of time that has elapsed since birth, and gradually switches to a more interior evaluation of how much time is left. This gigantic shift generally occurs somewhere in one's 40s (the actual advent of midlife is naturally influenced by many factors). Midlife can send psychological 'shock waves' through the client; some clients enter what we blithely call 'mid-career crisis' a frightening period of uncertainty.

Midlife is said to end when one commences retirement (although this maker is also open to contest as well). In any event, midlife opens with a flush of self-life confusion, evidenced by an avalanche of the "big" questions of life: "Where am I going?" How have I done so far in my life?" "Is my life on track?" "Is this what I genuinely want from life?" "Am I in an authentic career for me?" These, and other questions swirl in an almost unending vortex in the hearts and minds of the midlife career seeker.

The midlife career client presents to the career coach carrying all this internal confusion that screams for clarification and reason, direction and priority, as well as organization and the need to "make meaning" of it all. What's a good career coach to do?

The Need for Good Career Assessment

There exists compelling evidence that assessments produce better insights, better decisions, and better outcomes for both career clients and career coaches. Everyday, we career coaches help our clients make life-changing decisions; decisions that we hope will lead to positive outcomes. Quality assessments can immeasurably help support our coaching evaluations and shape the direction of our coaching efforts. The overall benefits of career assessments are no more compelling than in coaching the midlife career client.

Quality assessments, ones that are valid, reliable, cost effective, efficient of time, and where training in their use is readily available, are indispensable for the midlife career client. Assessments have immense benefits because they can produce dramatic results.

Benefits of Assessment

o Allows clients to understand themselves better

o Promotes a more 'scientific' coaching orientation

o Lends clarity to confusion

o Provides hard data evidence

o Enhances deeper self-exploration

o Promotes quality outcomes

o Offers data to help make accurate and more reliable decisions

o Identifies personal strengths

o Enhances client motivation

o Activates time efficiency

o Jumpstarts changing client deficit behaviors

o Gives structure and order without stricture

o Increases coach confidence

Career Assessment: Development Across the Lifespan

The primary goal of career assessments is not to discover deficits, rather it's to identify internal strengths, to deepen the conversation between you and your client, and to help you formulate more powerful questions that can not only motivate your clients but even inspire them. Career assessments motivate your clients in the most personal, practical, and relevant ways possible, to advance their ongoing career/life search across the lifespan.

Quality career assessments have helped literally thousands of individuals grow toward a much clearer understanding of the meaning and purpose of their life. The results give you clear directions for continued growth toward appreciating your client's authentic 'work.' Quality assessments give you added relevance to your coaching profession when they are coupled with educational experiences designed to further personalize and extend the learning that occurred with the assessment itself.

The results of quality assessments give you the coach invaluable information about your client; information you could gain nowhere else. Quality assessments generate a personal report that allows you to dramatically advance on your path toward helping your midlife career clients in ways unavailable to you without them. The information given in assessments enables you to move forward in your work with vastly increased confidence and motivation.

Dr. Johnson is the co-founder of ReCareer, Inc., a coach training organization dedicated to helping midlife career changers find meaningful and purpose-driven careers in the second half of life. He is a nationally recognized spokesperson in the field of retirement, career transition and adult development, having written and lectured extensively in those fields. His fresh ideas and enthusiasm for the wholistic aspects of adult development and maturation have inspired scores of maturing adults to follow their hearts and live more abundant lives. He is a dynamic, engaging, and compassionate teacher who delights in seeing his students grow in body, mind, and spirit. Dr. Johnson is the former president of the American Association for Adult Development and Aging. He is the creator of the ReCareer Success Inventory©, the Retirement Success Profile©, the LifeOptions Profile ©, and the Retirement Options © program, developed from over 20 years of retirement research and dedicated to helping people lead enriched and fulfilling lives in their second half of life.

Midlife Career Change - Proper Financial Planning will make the Career Change Successful

Making a mid-life career change is a lot harder than making a career change when you are young. You've got a lot more to lose because you may have already worked your way a good bit up the ladder of success at the career you are in today.

Many who have remained in jobs they didn't like longer than they should have because the job seemed "good enough." Many times that's a mistake. When you are forming an assessment as to whether a job is "good enough," you usually focus on whether the pay and benefits are good. That sort of analysis misses the mark.

What you earn is only part of the total pay package you obtain from the work you do. Your paycheck represents your day-to-day profits. The skills you develop are the result of your long-term research and development project. A company that ignores research and development because today's profits are acceptable is a company with a less than favorable future. Don't fall into this trap.

There is a good bit of wisdom in the "Do What You Love" maxim. It really is true that the most financially rewarding jobs go to those doing work that so motivates them that they possess the energy to become the absolute best at what they do.

When planning a mid-life career change, you need to answer the question: When will the money follow? If you don't get a reliable income stream in place in time, you might not be able to stick it out long enough at the new career to see the benefits of doing what you love ever generate real-world financial profits for you.

You need to have a plan in place before making a mid-life career change. Not just a career plan. You need a financial plan to protect you from the downside risks you take on in making such a dramatic life transition.

There are lots of work issues that need to be taken into account in putting together a plan for a mid-life career change. You need to take tests to learn what sorts of things you are best equipped to do. You need to talk to people now working in the career you hope to enter to see whether jobs in that field are as enjoyable to those on the inside as they appear to be to those on the outside.

Doing that sort of thing is not enough because, no matter how much you plan; you will never be able to anticipate every possible future development that will affect your job satisfaction years down the road. Jump to a new career without putting a financial plan into place to smooth out both the current and future transitions, and there is a good chance that a few years down the road you will be back in the same sorts of circumstances that caused you to want to make the first mid-life career change.

Even career changes that are successful in the short-term are often not so successful after a number of years pass by. You must explore new career options if you are dissatisfied with the career you are in today.

But you must also accumulate the financial resources that will open up options for future changes. Otherwise, you may find yourself five or ten years from now as dissatisfied as you are today but also five or ten years older. Not a good plan.

John Groth is a former HR executive and career coach. Find Career Changing Ideas, valuable articles and a Free seven day career planning guide. Discover up to date career and recruitment strategies at our Midlife Career Ideas all to assist you in advancing and managing your career.

Midlife Career Change - Something You May Not Have Thought Of On Changing Careers!

What do you thing caused you to tire of your current career. Could it be a bad boss, or maybe it's the workplace or could it be a bad economy? Look no further than a mirror-it's you.

There may be outside forces that play a role in causing you to be dissatisfied in your career. But those outside forces are not usually the primary factor in causing job dissatisfaction, and it is important for you to understand what the primary factor is if you hope to pull off a successful mid-life career change.

When we talk about the primary cause of career dissatisfaction we are not saying there is something wrong about the way you feel about your current career. On the contrary, it is normal to feel dissatisfaction about a job after you have been in it a number of years.

We all have a desire to learn and to grow over time. It is that desire that is causing you to become dissatisfied with a career that no longer provides the challenge it once did. The surprising thing would be if you never felt a need to pursue a mid-life career change.

It makes perfect sense to seek a new career after mastering an earlier one or finding that one is not suited for the earlier one. The pitfall is that there is a good chance that the old frustrations will recur, this time when you are older and have fewer career options.

The better approach is to gain over time a level of financial freedom that lets you call the shots to a greater extent than the typical employee. This might mean starting your own business or joining a start-up company (that you could not otherwise afford to take the risk of joining) or entering a career that offers more challenges than most (and thus provides a more satisfactory long-term level of fulfillment).

Financial planning by itself does not work. Career planning by itself does not work. What does work? Career planning combined with financial planning. Build a nice nest egg, and you gain a level of control over your future career decisions possessed by few of today's workers.

Acquire a higher level of financial freedom, and all sorts of exciting possibilities open up to you. It won't matter too much whether one particular new job you choose ends up being the right choice for the long-term or not. Those who gain significant levels of financial freedom early in life enjoy more opportunities than most others regardless of what happens with their boss or their company or the economy.

How do you do it? You aren't saving to finance an age 65+ retirement. You are saving and investing for some form of "early retirement." You may employ a number of different definitions of that term, but your overall goal is to enjoy the benefits of financial freedom well before you turn 65.

Many of us began saving in this different and more effective way because of dissatisfaction we felt about jobs we were in. It could be that your job dissatisfaction will prove to be your ticket to a better way of both managing your money and managing your career too. The power of this new approach comes from the integration of life, work and money goals.

Yes, you need to change careers. But you might want to slow down in your implementation of the plan and make sure that the solution you come up with is one that will serve you well for a long time to come. To make a successful mid-life career change, you need not just a job-change plan, but a money-change plan too.

It is by reducing the extent to which you need to work for money that you obtain the best possible long-term assurance of being able to spend your time doing soul-satisfying work.

John Groth is a former HR executive and career coach. Find Career Changing Ideas, valuable articles and a Free seven day career planning guide. Discover up to date career and recruitment strategies at our Employment Ideas, all to assist you in advancing and managing your career.

Midlife Career Change - Learn 5 Arguments For Making A Midlife Career Change

When we were younger, we heard about the midlife career change or midlife crisis. Now that we're older, we begin to see the reasoning. We've been in the same job or same industry for our entire working life and we're ready for a change. And, yes, I'm for the most part talking to Baby Boomers! They are the tenured employees staying 10, 15 even 20 years with the same employer. We also know that the generation that follows the Boomers - Generation X - already changes jobs frequently to advance their careers. But even with job hopping, these managers get caught up in the same industry and asking when quality of life will fit in. And we know that the generation after Gen X - those Millennials or Generation Y - already know about quality of life and are instituting many of the things we'll talk about in this newsletter. They have learned from our lives (mistakes?) and get it! No matter where you are in your career, you may be looking for a change. And many of us are considering that midlife career change.

So if you're one of those looking for change, you might be asking yourself, how hard is it to completely change careers? Is it even feasible? Luckily the Baby Boomers, in their excitement about reaching retirement and now having the time and money to do what they have always wanted to do, are forging the way. They are using their connections, money and a desire to follow their dreams to begin the career they've always wanted to do. Working through this process can be challenging so here are several things to consider:

Midlife Career Change Argument #1 - Employers are looking for brain power in our service-based society. No longer is youth or physical power as important. As we age, we naturally have more brain power and sometimes more time to learn a new skill. Let's face it, we don't retire anymore. We are living longer and finding ways to be productive whether we volunteer our time or find a new career.

Midlife Career Change Argument #2 - Security no longer rests in the corporate retirement package. It rests in our own skill. What companies and contacts can help us develop our knowledge, skills and expertise? Or do we need to go back to college? We can't rely on corporations or social security to take care of us through retirement. It is imperative that we have a plan to develop and rely on our own skill level and what it can afford.

Midlife Career Change Argument #3 - What about a boomerang job which allows you to take some time off or "semi-retire" and then re-enter the industry or organization after a few months or even a few years usually with limited hours and lighter responsibilities? Could this be your version of a midlife career change?

Midlife Career Change Argument #4 - If you really can't justify leaving the job or the industry you're in, can you still work quality of life into you position? Can you find flexibility or another needed perk? Can you talk to your employer about shorter hours, flex time or job sharing? Make the career or industry work for you and work so that you get what you need and want from the job and life.

Midlife Career Change Argument #5 - If you're in those next generations after the Baby Boomers, sprinkle leisure time into your career path now. Don't hold all of your leisure time for retirement. Throughout your working career try to work in blocks of time that you can devote to rest, relaxation and regeneration. It is during these times of reflection that you can look objectively at your past work history and where you would like to go in the future. Who knows, you may change careers every 10-15 years instead of once at midlife or retirement! Visit http://www.activ8careers.com to read more free career newsletters on skills needed to make career changes.

If these arguments have convinced you to make a midlife career change or look at other areas for skill development, join us next month when we look at what an interview for a job change in a new industry might look like and how to field challenges regarding your background and expertise.

David Hults author of the book "From Cornered To Corner Office" Overcoming the most unexpected obstacles that stand between you and your career dreams

http://www.fromcorneredtocorneroffice.com

Midlife Career change-you're on the verge of a career change middle-aged?

A change of Midlife Career possibly will be a shock to you as well as your family. A change of Midlife Career can come when you found yourself to be tired or burned out the exact same routine that performs for years. Is actually a common situation and should not cause too much concern for you or your family.

A change of Midlife Career can add Boost to your lifestyle. Taking on a new challenge, learn new skills and doing exciting courses can now be used to find a new career. A change of Midlife Career should not be seen as a move backwards at all. All skills learned in previous employment will stand in good stead when you are considering a new career.

Switch from one career to another always takes a lot of consideration and deliberation. Skills once used but forgot can be re-practiced and prepared for a new lifestyle. A change of Midlife Career might not seem to be the way forward, but often the old career has lost its luster and the chance for advancement and promotion.

With the advent of computer technology and the employment has gone way over the last decade, the days to hold the same job for a lifetime employment is now a thing of the past. Change work is more a change of applicant and midlife career is not an unusual occurrence.

When contemplating a career change middle-aged you must take into consideration the health and precisely what you are looking for in your new career. Looking to advance through the ranks into a new career will need careful planning, as when you subscribed in the first place the workforce.

Training should address new skills or hone skills learned in previous vocation. You shouldn't reject any skills or interests that have accumulated over the years. Core competencies even more may lead to a labor camp that are not considered previously.

Self-employment might derive from having spent years working in a certain field, developing skills that can now be used in a commercial enterprise.

Unlike A career change at the start of the job, a career change in midlife career will have all previous experiences and skills that are developed. You know what you're capable of doing, what you want to do and how to see yourself to achieve those goals.

Changing Midlife Career often leads to a new field which will be established even in retirement. There are more matured and your employability is often seen as more important than the inexperienced junior. In other words, the worker changing Midlife Career door with their valuable experience, that the employer will find beneficial, even if they're changing fields.

Administration, leadership skills, experience in marketing, sales and design are invaluable skills that translate across many different career fields. Who is able to expose those skills with confidence is certainly a valuable member of any team.

Thousands of others like you have benefited from our incredible report on how to prepare and Plan Your career change in just 7 days! Click here [http://FindYourDreamCareer.info] to our FREE step-by-step Checklists to better manage your career change now!

You can also find more resourceful information and the latest news on Midlife Career change [http://findyourdreamcareer.info/change] visiting our career guidance website.

Are You Lost In Mid-Life Career Transitions?

Do You Feel Lost in your Mid-Life Career Transitions?

This article will provide you with increased insight into the world of experienced people who want or need to re-enter the employment rat race. It is aiming to provide guidance for career coaches/counsellors but is just as useful if you yourself are 'lost in transition'. Sometimes mid-life career changers may be overlooked when we consider the need for career guidance and counselling.

However, the changing worlds of work as well as economic reasons have forced many people to search for jobs. We will discuss how career counselling can assist and what additional services we can offer We are going to explore some of the differences between career advising for young people and mid-life career changers who are people with life experience. Why do people seek help from career advisers? Some of the subjects about which people approach career advisers:

Information about possibilities
Pointers to the future of a particular area of work
Referral to a particular scheme, course or employer
Tips on presenting themselves in person and in writing
Guidelines on what action to take and when
To check out that they are on the right lines and are taking a sensible approach
To get help to see what they might like to do
Encouragement to keep on trying
Motivation to burst through barriers
The confidence to aim high and to success
To answer the question: Where am I going in my life?

Most people feel a bit scared and can feel very vulnerable when they have to ask for help. (Think of visiting a doctor or dentist) Even if the matter in question is not personal, it can feel a little humiliation to ask for help because it means admitting that you don't have all the answers about your life. This is especially true of some adults who feel that being grown up means they should know exactly where they are going and what they hope to achieve. On they other hand, young people are more used to consulting adults, and might feel more comfortable about asking advice.

When taking feelings in to account, remember that especially people that have been made redundant or have been unemployed for some time may not only feel anxious about asking advice but may also be depressed and very cynical. The treatment they may have received at places like Centrelink and Job Network Agencies may have left them with a huge chip on their shoulders. This means that they could come in the career counsellor's office with an attitude!

My experience has been that the first thing I need to do is to get through the barriers that this demoralised person puts up. Empathy and respect can open the way into constructiveness. Funny enough, something as seemingly obvious as a genuine smile and a warm handshake, as they first meet with you, can be seen as a sign of respect.

Through the years, especially when working for CRS Australia as an employment consultant, I have often applied for positions, even when I did not need work; just to keep in touch with what if feels to be unemployed. I often went through the interview experience so I would remember what it was to be nervous. Even though it was never the same because I was not desperate and needy, it helped me to keep feeling a little of what the client feels.

Mid-Life Career Transitions. I have found that Super's theoretical life-stages model may need some revision. Socio-economical realities of life today tell us that people must be prepared to:

change jobs several times,
to change occupations sometimes,
and to consider radical changes to the form their employment may take;
such as a port-folio of part-time or casual jobs, or self-employment.

As we prepare to assist a larger proportion of mature adults to make career transitions, we should appreciate that their career problems often have been forced upon them by circumstances beyond their control. Let's explore how we can understand and assist mid-life career changers.

What are some of the reasons for mid-life career changes?

Women want to return to work after home duties.
People have been injured or ill and need to look for a different career.
Redundancy is forcing people to become job seekers
Midlife crisis makes people realise they want to do something different
Healthy people in their forties from the Defence Forces, who are now expected to retire

Can you think of other reasons? Full-time workers are more and more becoming an increasingly limited commodity. Our aging population and the anticipated retirement of the baby boomers is worsening this shortage. Furthermore, many of working Australians are now self-employed.

What have you experienced?

Think of some experiences you've had with mature-age people (in or outside work settings who are trying to find work or change direction).
What were some of the perceived barriers?
If you are the this person try to think about your own situation.

As you see, the transitions may be smooth or rough, anticipated or unexpected, voluntary or involuntary. Some people will come to you upset about a crisis situation. They may be fed-up with an unreasonable boss OR the increasing bureaucracy and paperwork in a job. They may be sick of commuting. There are lots or reasons and situations.

HOW CAN WE HELP OR RECEIVE HELP?

Career Guidance
Motivational Encouragement
Demonstrate Research calling
Resume preparation

If the client does not get to the interview stage look at the resume. If the resume does not open doors, look at how you could change it.

Selection Criteria
Interviewing coaching

What are the most important points to teach these job seekers about what employers look for when interviewing?

UNDERSTANDING OF THE JOB - RESEARCH
ABILITY TO DO IT- SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
ENTHUSIASM - ATTITUDE
ABILITY TO FIT IN AND WORK WITH CURRENT TEAM - INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

A PROGRAM FOR MID-CAREER CHANGERS.

We are dealing with two very different age groups such as a 17 year old High School student who will complete Year 12 this year and a Middle Manager who is about to be out placed from his position in an industrial company. Although the basic program will be following similar steps, there are differences that come into the program when dealing with Mid-life changer. The key differences, are that with the mid-life person there would be an emphasis on analysing past experience. We would also be looking more closely at roles that have been established, as well as values and needs. Sometimes these values and needs may not have been met in the past.

Let's look at a possible nine step-counselling program The first three steps are essential for mid-career changes, while the other six are useful in any standard career counselling program.

CLARIFY THE REASONS FOR CHANGE

Both the client and the adviser need to clarify the reasons for the career change. This will also assist the client to share his story and express feelings that could be painful and confused. It is important that the career changers feel you are on their side. Some people will feel secure and optimistic and is contemplating a voluntary change. They may not be completely sure about the reasons for change but just have this 'gut' feeling they are following. Clarifying reasons for a career change will give better chances of achieving future goals.

PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE EXPRESSION OF EMOTIONS.

Career changes may be very traumatic and there is a need to allow the client to express emotions connected with it. There may be feeling of anger or betrayal. If the emotions are dealt with first it will clear the way for productive efforts to find and achieve new career goals.

An empathetic careers adviser, using sound practices, can often turn crisis into opportunity. As career adviser, you must expect that some of your clients, however calm they may appear, are trying to handle a traumatic career transition.

EXPLORE THE BROADER CONSEQUENCES OF A CAREER CHANGE.

The client also needs to face the broad consequences of a career change. Many areas of his life will be affected by the changes and dealing with this will provide a basic framework, which will help to ensure that no important aspect is neglected in the later stages.

What is the 'big picture'? How is the career change going the affect the client and their future life. Our aim is that the client will become aware of the complex ramifications of the decisions, goals and plans that lie ahead. For example: as adviser you may raise the issue of retraining or further study, whether it appears relevant or not. At this stage you will want to explain the steps that are involved in the process ahead. This gives the client a feel that he is sharing control of a process he understands. Another matter likely to be explored is the financial implications of a career change. Possible relocation?

INDENTIFY:

CLIENT'S EXPERIENCE.

Now we come to identifying the client's experience and probing how it can be used for future choices. The big difference between young career-starters and older career-changers is that the latter have experience which will add greatly to the basis for decision-making.

Specific work experiences - what kind of work?
Likes and dislikes of former jobs?
Specific educational and training experiences?
What aspects did he enjoy and do well at?
What kind of leisure experiences can the client recall?
What kind does he prefer?
Has the client received any kind of special recognition or awards?

You can analyse these things in various ways: Autobiographical sketch, guided by some structured questions, probably as homework You may use interview questioning and make brief notes. What the client reveals about past experiences can also be used to obtain indications of skills possessed by the client.

INTERESTS.

Appropriately identifying client interests can lead to a possible occupational list. Most convenient for classifying personalities and occupations is probably John Holland's SDS and the Career Voyage program. This program, only available to accredited career counsellors, can be used through web access and clients can continue to work further at home even after they have seen a Career Counsellor.

SKILLS.

It is surprising how often people are unaware of their own skills. Identifying client skills in various areas such as work, hobbies, social activities, volunteer work, and other activities. Various skills assessment instruments are available.

VALUES AND NEEDS.

Now we come to a very important area, the heart of the process identifying the client's values and needs. We move towards our values. The knowledge of personal values and needs can provide a powerful focus for goals and assist with a successful occupational choice.

CONSIDER RELEVANT EDUCATIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL INFORMATION.

Research relevant educational and occupational information through various sources. I would include some instructions here on how to conduct research calling to empower the client in his research.

HELP THE CLIENT TO MAKE DECISIONS AND PLAN ACTION.

Conclude the career counselling program with assisting the client to make decision and preparing a realistic action plan.

What options have emerged?
What (if any) retraining or further education may be needed?
Which option offers the most?

Would you like a more satisfying and rewarding life? Are you looking to get a great job? Or do you have important choices to make about your future?

I am passionate about helping people create and live rewarding, purposeful and happy lives. I offer practical and creative services to assist you in finding solutions for your career and personal wellbeing. I provide services that cover a great variety of issues and offer diverse range of approaches.

Contact me on:
Grace du Prie
ACA, PCDAA, FPCQ, APRCSA
Career & Personal Development Practitioner
PO Box 736, Ipswich. Qld. 4305.
Tel. 07 3812 3807 - Mob. 0438 760 735
http://www.graceduprie.com.au
Email: info@graceduprie.com.au

Is A Midlife Career Change The Way To Go?

Are you looking for a new career at mid life? No doubt, a midlife career change is for you. Changing career at 40, or even 50, is possible. Even though making a mid-life career change is a lot harder than making a career change at early career, the reward of the right career is long term joy and job satisfaction.

Whether you're facing a fading occupation or just tired of your current job, you are no different compared to those who are experiencing similar midlife crisis. If money was not an issue you are starting to build a more meaningful second half of your life. The pressure of social status and meeting the expectations of significant others are no longer your highest concern.

Unfortunately, because you have already achieved some success you might have made some excuses for staying in a job you did not like. You know that you want to get a second chance; however, you don't want your situation to become worse, at least financially. Don't worry, there is always a way out and I will show you how to make your career change a success.

Reviewing your financial resources should be the first step to a successful midlife career change. The more savings you have the more ready you are for a career transition. Do you have more than twelve months of salary in your savings account? This reserve is what you need to cover your monthly expenses during career transition. Make sure your savings are also sufficient for financing your training and courses. Once you budget all of your expenses, take an action to accumulate more money so that you're financially ready for a career move.

Have you found your ideal career? If you haven't, take some career tests and make a self assessment. Your values, personality, interests and aptitudes as well as your overall qualifications are useful for two reasons. Not only will these help discover your perfect career, these will also help uncover your true reasons for switching to a new career.

Once you find the career that matches your overall background check out the gap between the required qualifications and your competencies. Does the field require a specific training and education? If so, it can range from self-study, specific courses, additional formal education, volunteer work, part-time job and everything in between.

While you are taking qualification training and courses start networking with people in your new industry. As a start, for example, you can find a person who will help you in your career change through the industry association in your local area. Make sure you build a positive rapport with the person as he or she will refer you to prospective employers. By demonstrating unique personality and potentials you will promote yourself to your target employers long before you want the job.

Paul Sarwanawadya offers career change advice to help career changers pursue their ideal careers. He runs an informational website that provides tips on making a midlife career change. Get more quality midlife career change information at http://www.career-tests-guide.com/.

Change of Midlife Career-5 simple steps to get a great career

Career change or frequent job changes once wore a negative stigma and raised a red flag to warn prospective employers. No more. According to the Department of Labor Statistics, the average person will change careers somewhere between four to six times in the course of their lives. Also, make an average of twelve workplace changes to fifteen.

The red flag was lowered and these frequent changes now say potential employers that the applicant with a variety of careers and employment performs workplace flexibility-and that is highly desired. So, if you are contemplating a change mid-career, now is the time to act.

Evaluate your current position

Take a look at your current location, both professionally and personally. I am stuck in a rut? You feel choked or held back? You feel as if you're going nowhere? A career switch may be in order. If you feel that they are not properly using your existing skills or you can hit a plateau, it might be time to think about a new career plan.

Evaluate options for career change

Think about not only what you can do but also what you enjoy doing. If you're going to do a job change, salary and benefits can be a factor in determining the route you should take, but that should not be the only reason I make the move. It is important to find a career that you can actually enjoy. Statistics show that people who work in a job they enjoy are healthier and experience less stress-related diseases. You should also take a look at the knowledge, skills and abilities that require your career future. Do some research on your chosen career. Your State Department of labor is a good resource for finding profiles on the various careers.

Determine your transferable skills

Once you've taken a good look at your new career, determine what transferable skills you have that you can bring to the table. Transferable skills are those skills that you can bring from one job to another. When you pursue a new career, it is important that you can identify your transferable skills. This can be very useful in when and how to make your move.

Establish the educational track that you need to take

Depending on the career move you're doing, it may be necessary for you to get some exercise. With the boom of online schools that allow professionals to take courses on-line, their time, getting an education to boost your career change now easier than ever. If the online location isn't your thing, though, you can additionally classes at your local university or community college. There are also technical schools that offer courses in many different careers. Note also that non-traditional students-students who have more than 24 years-are a rapidly growing population on college campuses in the United States.

Get help if you need it

How to take your career choice, don't be afraid to ask for help. Find a mentor or life coach who can help you take a good look at yourself and your life, your profession and your goals. Can help guide you and make your transition from your current career to a new career much easier. You can find a life coach or if you know someone who is already in the field that you want to enter you can ask them for help. If you attended the school, you can speak with a career Adviser there. The point is, if you need help, don't be afraid to ask.

A change of Midlife Career can be exciting and terrifying at the same time. If you keep your head and make intelligent, you can insert into a new career is being accomplished in the manner that you need, either professionally, financially or personally.

Paul Sarwanawadya offers career change tips to help career changers pursue their ideal careers. Runs an information site that provides tips on how to make a midlife career change

Please http://www.career-tests-guide.com/ 's visit to get more information about change of midlife career.

Career planning after the 50-midlife career change

Here are five tips to change of Midlife Career and career planning ideas. These tips are central to a transition or job hunting for a successful career with the integration of labour, financial and life goals.

If in your midlife career change you neglect considering any of these important personal goals might suffer career change.

Not doing due diligence and in-depth research on your career just planned you can find yourself in the worst shape than your old job.

Successful career planning after 50 must consider all financial aspects of new career. Will replace all of your old income? Otherwise, when you can expect to reach the levels of income? What you need to do to adjust your budget to reflect lower income levels more recent? Are you ready to take the necessary steps to make it happen?

Is the new career in harmony with your life goals? For example, if you're going to retire soon and maybe working part-time; your new career will support this decision? If you're going to move and live in a different area there are enough jobs in your new career in that area? Your prospective employer again engage in activities that do not look to you? Tobacco, alcohol, etc.

Here are the tips of the change of five career starts in career planning after 50:

Change Tip # 1: Anytime you current career isn't meeting your financial goals and your future financial goals is just another day, more financial freedom pushes far into the future.

In addition, a career change after 50 if fraught with dangers. You have a lot of time and effort invested in current career. They are financial obligations when superiors were starting.

Don't settle for a career that is satisfactory. Start planning your career global now it is not something that is possible during the night. You wouldn't build a house in days; It takes time and effort and above all financial objectives, planning and long term career.

Change suggestion # 2: Many times love what you're doing is not equal to meet your financial goals. Even if you do what you like is important to make sure that in your career search, if you become an expert in your new career that will follow the financial rewards.

Change Suggestion # 3: Get the financial problems solved and you increase the chances of success in your career again.

For many times in a career change after 50 individual closes the current work before having a clear picture of their financial future in the new career. Although it is impossible to predict all, make sure that the financial aspects of the new career after 50 are nailed.

You do not want to make the transition to a new career and then find that along the road have just older without an adequate level of financial resources to make a move towards a more desirable career.

Change Tip # 4: Dissatisfaction for a job or career can come in many forms. A bad boss, a business with a caustic work environment, a business with a bleak future, an economy hurt overall area are reasons for dissatisfaction. Perhaps the reason is that you're just ready for a career change.

Just be clear about your reasons for a career change. The last thing you want is a change of midlife career with a good leader, in a large company with a future increase in and you're not yet satisfied. It is not a good place to be.

Change Tip # 5: Do not rush. A change in career after 50 is a big step, full of pitfalls and financial career. Don't expect that everyone you work frustrations magically disappear.

In your self-analysis if you find that you need to change your attitude on job-related problems of correcting them can take a long time. Build your career plan after 50, gage your progress and work toward your overall career goals.

Financial planning combined with robust career plan are both keys to successful after 50 career change experience. Although the financial planning is usually not sufficient by itself to ensure a successful career change ensures a smoother transition to new opportunities.

If your financial plan is working and you have a high degree of financial freedom you'll have more career options.

For most valuable information on career change or reinvent themselves will find a wealth of http://careersafter50.cominformation. Also, find out how others beyond 50 years put together career plans that led to successful new careers, move to Change careers after 50.

How to Discover Your True Career Passion, and Make a Flawless Midlife Career Change

I worked at a Profession that was a Family Tradition my entire working career.

I started out working after class got out, every day through High School, while a Teen.

After that, I went to College during the Mid - Seventies.


Through the years, I was simply too caught up making a living to realize what else I would enjoy doing.
The money and benefits were good, so I stuck with it until I retired.
I have always had an interest in Psychology and Writing.
There was this prevailing Feeling within, constantly reminding me to follow my Heart and choose a different Profession.
I never knew what that would be, until recently.
Do any of the above Ring true for You?
I decided that if I were to do a Midlife Career Change, my Career Choice would have to be one that not only inspired me, but could be worked at directly from home.

I was able to take an early retirement at age 55. I desperately wanted a change in career. I was searching for something I would have a passion for doing. I wanted to do something on the Internet, but did not know what I wanted to do, or how to go about doing it.

I searched and searched, and ended up confused and completely frustrated with the information overload I absorbed from the Web.

I recalled all those Career Assessment Tests I took way back in College. I remember one test told me I had the personality traits of a Bus Driver and College Professor. Interesting... I had forgotten what the other tests told me about me.

I was looking for something I could do on the internet as a business. I went to various Career Test Websites and took some of their practice tests to see what my aptitudes were.

I did not come up with any suggestions I favored. These Tests were free tests I took, but each one told me something different about myself. There did not seem to be any consistencies I could recognize.

So, maybe you want a Second Career too. But, This time around, you want to do something you are Passionate about. Why do it any other way - Especially, if you did not like your previous profession that much? You do not want to choose something to do you will not like doing again, right? You want to Love doing it this time. Now is your chance to do it right.

Maybe you are a bit UNSURE about what it is you would fit into as a brand new career. No problem. There are Career Assessment Tests you can take that can help you. There are also Free Tests, but you have to be careful. If they are not researched and Scientifically validated tests, the test results may not be as reliable as you would like.

You could end up choosing the wrong education and training for a career you really don't have the interest or aptitude for. The Test may say you are more of an Artist type, when in fact you love Public Speaking and are an Extrovert. This potential Career Mismatch could mean a lot of wasted time, effort, money and one big disappointment and heartache.

Teens looking for their first job, and someone making a Midlife Career Change may have something in common. They may be both unsure about what it is their passion resides in. If you are middle aged, you have an advantage, that you at least have had a career or two under your belt. A teen may not have even been employed once.

If you already know what your passion is, fine. But, if you do not, you will have to search yourself for it. Discovering Mine came late. But, Better late than never. Find your passion and Verify it through the Sounding Board of a Career Test. This will Make Certain you have the Career Aptitude and Working Personality for doing the Career Choice you have in mind. You can always receive training and the schooling to fit your passion and make it into a Career Reality.

You Do Have Options...


Find out what you Love to do or are Passionate about, be it a Hobby or any Special Interest.
Then take a couple Career Aptitude and Personality Assessments to reality check the possibility of turning it into a Career.
Study the list of compatible careers in the printable read out which they will give you after you take the Career Test.
If the tests you take are Scientifically Validated and Reliable tests, the suggestions and results from the various tests will collectively parallel each other.
In other words, you will start to hear the same things ringing true about your skills, abilities and interests over and over, as they pertain to certain repeated Career Recommendations.
Do the research about what the Job Duties are for your Dream Job, and judge for yourself if you are going to like to do them or not.
Visit and talk to those people within those jobs. Get it first hand from those who know the best.
Weigh all outward Data received against your inner Personal Core Values.
Know How much all the training costs, where it is and how long it will take to complete.
Figure out how you are going to put your plan together. Make a strategy with small doable goal steps to pull the entire plan into one big clear picture.
Will you work at your old job and train for the another in your spare time? It has been done, and it still can be. You can do it if you make it one of your personal priority career goals.
You can also create a budget plan, if times will be on the lean side while financing your new career training.

To Change Careers or Not

You don not have to make a Mid Life Career Change at all. You do not have to do anything but what you want to do. You can keep things just the way they are. It's your life, live it your way. Chances are that if you are here now, you want another career.

But, You do have options. All we need to do is examine them. The most important thing to do is to examine you and question how you feel about you, your life, the world and where it is you think you want to fit.

What things do you want out of life at this point? You could have made a name for yourself in your last career and made your money, raised a family and now you wonder what to do next?

You may not even need to work. Maybe you want to work and find that last career that represents who you are. You want a career change for what it will mean to you. You seek meaningful employment more than the money.

Chances are that you continue to need the extra income, but either want to retire or quit what you've been doing for the last 20 or so years because you have had enough of it and it's time to move on. Maybe you want a part time job. Maybe you don't even know exactly what you want, but you want to explore and see if there is anything out there for you or not.

So, Why even Change Careers to begin with?

Is it because Your Job is Not YOU anymore?

In other words, has what you value in a job changed?

Did you choose your profession a long time ago, and the job became a career mismatch?

Maybe the job doesn't do it for you anymore. Maybe it's a boring, not challenging, tedious, energy draining job, etc.

Maybe there Is there no single reason other than you simply want a change. That's OK. Maybe you are just tired of doing the same thing for over twenty years. This is OK.

You could be going through a Midlife Crisis where you are beginning to question a few things about your past and present life.

Statistics show that it is not uncommon for people change careers at least three times in their working years.

Why not change careers, what's the problem?

It's not like you are Married to it, right? There are similarities though, like familiarity, security and predictability. You know what you have to deal with on a daily basis and there are usually no surprises. On second thought, Maybe in a way, we have become Married to our Jobs. But the question is, is it a happy or unhappy Job Marriage?

There is a lot to making a Midlife Career Transition happen. It's harder adjusting and doing everything related to changing your career than when you were young. Everything is harder now. Maybe you don't even feel as good as you did and do not have the energy you had. That's probably why some don't do it. The new Career takes researching, job interviews, training, returning to school, or possibly working part time in your newly chosen field to see if you like it or not. You may even be worried about age discrimination, finances for training and living expenses. It takes a lot of effort and energy. Maybe you would rather not. All this is even making me tired.

Nevertheless, How do you take an inventory of YOU if you would like to make a Career Change in Midlife, but are afraid to do so. Start Thinking about those skills or jobs you like doing. Also, think about those jobs or duties that you don't like to do so you know what to avoid. What Hobbies or special interests draw out the passion in you. Who says you can't turn a hobby into a full time job? Did you have any part time jobs you liked in the past? You can even go so far as to try to remember what it was you wanted to do when you were a kid - A Doctor, a Lawyer?

If you are over 55, you have to admit that some professions are probably unattainable, because you don't have enough time left to live. You may not want to go to school again for another ten or so years and then build up your business or practice through time - Which is another story in itself.

Thankfully, There are Careers in between - Some that require technical school training, or certification. These Careers don't take near as long to master. Again, it depends on what you are willing to do in order to get the new career you want. It is never too late to go to school for ten years if you want to, and it is your life to spend any way you wish.


Remember - The older you get, the wiser you have to be about where and how you spend your remaining years.

I am sure someone has decided to become a Doctor or a Lawyer when he was 55 and then began his education. Maybe by 65 he had served his internship and residence and got his degree and started his practice in his own home town. It's possible.

The question to ask yourself is this - If you really want to do something, and it takes four or more years to get there and you do not start to do it now, where will You be in four years? You guessed it, you will be right where you are right now. And, You will be wondering why you did not do it, and may regret not doing it, because you would have been done with the training and starting in the career by now.

But, if you look back and are glad you did not do it because you changed your mind about it in the meantime, then passing it up was a good thing.

If you would love to do a certain occupation, why not start training for it? What else are you doing that is better? Will you Stay in a Soul Killing Job that you are in presently, or making an attempt to get out of it through training for something else? Isn't it better to train for something new that you'll love rather than keep the same Status?

As long as you are alive, you have a Future.

Questions to ask Yourself


Are you a people person, or would you rather work with things?
Do you like working with Statistics and Data?
Do like to Lead? Do you like instructing others, or Teaching?
Are you a natural born Salesman?
Are you mechanical? Do you like working with your hands? Fixing things?
Are You Artistic?
Do you like working outside?

Can You See You in the Job Picture?

Thinking about those things you like to do and the conditions you prefer on the job can determine what Career Choice is best for what you are made of. Only you can know what it is you like. If you do not already know, you can find it out through taking a Career Assessment Test and choose from a list of Career Choices the Test recommends. Matter of fact, taking the test is part of being able to set career goals and plan for your new career.

Be open to new ideas from any source. I personally like to look through Mother Earth News Magazine for business and career ideas. I like reading about the do it yourself stuff on a farm, and articles on going solar. So, Pick up your favorite magazine and page through it and check out the local classifieds for business opportunities, or even employment. These are all potential Career Choices.

Investigate what it is you are interested in and passionate about. Even if you don't know what that is, investigate anyway. You will eventually find your Dream.

You have been focusing on the Money factor most, if not all your previous career and life. But From Now on, try focusing on the Fun Factor. Look to a new Career for the enjoyment of it, not the money. You may have needed more money before, because you had a family to support. Now, it may be somewhat different financially.

If you do what you love, you will be willing to work harder at it that much longer each day. It will still seem like work, but there will be a distinct difference. It will be work you love to do. You will not have to be dishonest with yourself and cover up your distaste for a job you hate doing anymore. You may already know what working hard at a job you hate brings into your life.

This way, if you are hard working and (most importantly) true to yourself and to your own happiness, the money will come later because of all your loving toil and diligence. Think about the concept of making money at something that is fun to do - Would that not be nice doing just that?

What you love attracts the same positive vibes and material conditions, what you hate brings Negativity. Stop doing what you dislike, it will never bring Success to you nor to anyone who depends upon you. There is no Success without Fulfillment.

Why not start to Be who you want to be, and do what you want to do. If you already have not done this, Try Thinking how you want to think. Not how you think others want you to. And, start doing those duties and activities that bring you the joy and the passion you've always wanted. The focus has always been on hard work. Change the focus to enjoyable work. Would it not be great if you focused on who you wanted to be and acted that out instead of focusing on deadlines based on money and people you would rather not be around?

When you find and do what you love, you will come across like minded people...You will have something in common with and be surrounded by Your own kind.

Deadlines are dead. You are alive. Change your scene. Change your life. Change your mindset. Don't let someone else define YOU. You define YOU from now on. Who do you want to be? You can be that person, you know...Only if it is true to being YOU and to who you are.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook by the US Dept. of Labor is filled with hundreds, if not thousands of Careers. Learn about each one you are interested in. More than that, seek those Career Opportunities that make you feel Passionate. Would it not be great to be so restless at night that you could not wait to get up in the morning to go to work? Well, maybe we don't want that much excitement, do we? Maybe, maybe not. At least not right away. But, you can grow into it slowly and start liking it.

We sleep a third of our lives, and work a third of our lives. With so much time preparing for work, should not work be a Pleasure instead of a dreaded chore?

After you take a Career Assessment Test and have your Career Choices in hand and have made your choice, then it is time to put a plan together. This means where the education is located, how long it takes to complete the program, how you are going to pay for it, putting together a resume, practicing up with your job interviewing skills, possibly a part time job in your chosen profession, goals and steps to achieve the same, etc.

A way to bypass job interviews and resumes etc., is to become self employed and Work from the comfort of your own home. This is the golden opportunity for those who are Midlife Career Changers. You are older, wiser, mature and solid in those things you want. And you can still find yourself through the right second and possibly last career. You may have the savings to put you through the necessary training for that work at home job.

There are many legitimate work from home businesses to choose from. There are franchises and there is also your own knowledge of a business you have already been in that you could turn into your own. Sometimes, being your own Boss can be the key to the experience of job happiness.

You may have all the responsibility, but you can still call all the shots your way. Well, realistically not everything will be your way, but you will have much greater latitude in making business decisions without having to answer to someone.

Probably one of the most important aspects of Mid life Career Change is having a plan. Equal to that is support from family and friends. They need to be behind you on this one. Without support, you will be hard pressed to make anything happen. Sell everyone on what you are about to do. Put your finances in order. Sell your plan to them. Get the right feedback you need. Make them feel good about what you are about to do. Calm their fears while Dealing with your own.

It takes time to put a Plan of Action together. A Career Guidance Counselor can help. He/She can guide you by suggesting Career Tests and even help you plan for the education, and assist you with your own job placement.

http://www.career-test-info-guide.com

Midlife Career Change - Success in 7 Simple Steps!

Midlife career change, find career change success in 7 simple steps.

A mid-life career change can be a challenging project. Think about the possible results after you make the career change. The rewards should bring you new job satisfaction and fulfill a range of personal and financial needs.

Midlife career changes occur for a variety of reasons. One reason not to stay in your current career is that you've achieved some success and you then rationalize staying in a job as you are becoming more and more disillusioned and miserable. Another thing you might hear is that you shouldn't be changing careers because at your age it either can't be done and you should be satisfied "you do have a job don't you."

Leaving one career for another for the wrong reasons will not fix the problems; it will just transport them to a new location.

As you develop your midlife career change plan here are 7 steps to consider:

1. Where are you now? Carefully consider you current career. Is there anything you can do to make the situation better? Can you transfer to another career with the same employer? Is it the employer or the career that's the problem? If it's your current employer that's the problem, should you consider staying in the current career with another employer?

2. Self-Assessment and Research: Review your skills and knowledge. What do you enjoy doing? What do you not want to do? Why? Do you have any interests that translate into a new career? Are there parts of your current career you really enjoy? Do not enjoy? What skills and knowledge are required in prospective careers? What possible gaps do you have to fill to qualify for the new career?

Gather information about prospective careers by talking to those currently working in the field, reading job descriptions and other internet resources. After you've analyzed your situation, looked carefully at your likes and dislikes and sketch out a possible direction building a new career plan. As you research possible new careers you should write out new career goals. Stay flexible and be willing to move in another direction if you reach a dead end.

3. What are the skills you bring to your new career? Your new proposed career may require different or additional skills and knowledge. However, with your previous experience you will find a whole family of transferable skills to your new career.

Skills and accomplishments in leadership, project management, problem solving, communications and others will cross over into the new career. How you list achievements in these skills on your resume and cover letter will help get you noticed and scheduled for the job interview.

4. Adding Qualifications and Education: Once you've identified a possible career look carefully at the normal qualifications and skill sets required. Do you have a possible gap in any area?

If the career requires specific training or education can you cover it with self-study, internet learning, or seminars and workshops? Perhaps a night course in a local junior college would be sufficient. Or a mentor could put you on a path toward completing the required qualification.

Sometimes the requirement is career related experience. This can be solved by doing work for a non-profit, or helping on a committee in a career related association, or part-time, temp or working as a contractor.

5. Networking your way to Success: Find others working in your planned career. You can locate them through friends, relatives, co-workers, or area or national career related associations, or Linkedin and other social networking sites.

You can learn a great deal about your proposed career by speaking to those currently working in the career. There are many good articles about making maximum use of this resource. Study the information available to turn networking into a valuable source of career information.

6. Financial Planning is a Must: You must integrate financial planning into your midlife career change plan. Your prospective new career may not pay you what you earned in your old career. How you cover the shortfall is important. It can be a combination of savings or reduction in expenses.

Be realistic in you planning on promotions and pay increases in your new career. With proper financial planning you can reduce your money concerns in the job change. In your career planning you may find you need to make several jobs change to qualify for your proposed career. This also must be factored into your career and financial planning.

7. Plan for Success in your New Career: You've now gotten a job on the first rung of your new career ladder. It is absolutely not the time to coast or put you career plan in the closet.

Continue your course of study and reading in the new career field and business and leadership in general. If your new employer offers help in added education take advantage of his offer.

Work carefully with you new boss on what is expected in the job; under promise and over deliver. Keep your eyes open for opportunities to excel. Build up your network of like-minded individuals. Help others find their dream careers, you'll feel great and be building a productive network

Keep working and building your career plan. If you do your midlife career change will be nothing but successful.

For more information about career planning and career development go to http://careersafter50.com. You'll also find ideas about changing careers and the stories of individuals just like you who successfully made midlife career changes.