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
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