Making a Career Change in Your 50s

Updated July 30, 2021

Many reasons lead people to consider making a career change in their 50s and later life. Perhaps you have grown bored in your current role and no longer find the work challenging. Maybe you feel that fewer opportunities are available to you or that you have already peaked. Perhaps you are considering transitioning to semi-retirement?

It’s perfectly natural to reconsider your career choices in your 50s. You have already achieved so much in your working life. Now’s a great time to focus on ticking off some of those bucket list items you’ve been dreaming about for years.

Changing careers in later life is possible

I’m here to tell you it is possible to change careers in later life. I know first-hand it can be a challenging prospect to consider. Before turning to career coaching I had my sights sets on smashing the glass ceiling. But after a time, I realised that it was a hollow dream that no longer held any substance for me. I reassessed my situation, looking inwards to think long and hard about what was really important to me and what I enjoyed doing.

I have always been drawn to mentoring people. It combined well with my desire to work from home, and I haven’t looked back! For me, imparting my knowledge and helping others thrive in their professional lives is hugely rewarding.

As you see, it is possible to make a career change, but jumping in feet first without any planning is ill-advised. You can take a couple of simple steps before changing careers in your 50s to ensure you are making the right decision.

5 tips for successfully changing careers in your 50s

1. Talk it out

Address your feelings with your friends and families. Bouncing ideas off those who know you best will help pinpoint what’s driving your desire to change careers. Your friends and family may also have fresh ideas or observations you haven’t even considered.

At the very least, it will help clarify some of the emotions you’re bound to be feeling. As they say, a problem shared is a problem halved.

2. Reconsider what working life looks like

There are plenty of viable career options available for people in their 50s. Full-time work is not necessarily the only option available to you. If you’re looking at slowing down to make more time for your hobbies or travelling, then consider turning to part-time or temporary work.

This will give you more financial security to free you up to indulge your favourite pastime. You may find your current employer is happy for you to cut back a bit if they know that you’re looking to volunteer, for example.

Volunteers are always in demand as so many people are time-poor. Volunteering is a fantastic way to become more involved in your local community, and giving back can be extremely rewarding. Volunteering is also an excellent way to gain new skills if you need the experience to land your ultimate job. 

Another possibility is going self-employed to start that business you always thought you would, but it was never the right time.

Or you could try and combination of the above, such as part-time work and volunteering.

3. Reduce the risk

Walking away from a stable job in your 50s, no matter how disenchanted you may have become with it, is a daunting proposition. It’s essential that you carefully plan how you are going to change careers. Access your strengths and weaknesses by looking at what transferrable skills you have and what skills you may need to work on. It will be a lot easier while still in employment to build upon these.

Ensure your finances are in good shape first and build a financial buffer that you can fall back on should everything not go to plan. It can take time to make a significant life change, and setbacks are part of life’s rich tapestry.

Having a safety net ready to catch you will make dealing with any unforeseen situations that much easier and quicker to move on from.

4. Leverage your network

You’ve spent a lifetime building good working relationships with people in your professional life as well as in your home life. Now’s the time to let them know that you’re ready for the next challenge. 

Tell everyone you know. It will be hard work pushing your own barrow, but you may be surprised by the opportunities that present themselves to you.

And by verbalising your new ambition, you are taking positive steps to turn it into a reality.

5. Consult an experienced career coach

A career coach can help you work through all the steps needed to make a successful transition into a new career in your 50s. They will be there throughout the journey to help you stay on track and offer advice when you start to waiver.

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