So you’re over 40 and you know that same old job routine like the back of your hand. Perhaps you’re wondering what the job market looks like these days. Is now a good time to consider making a career change? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth is projected to increase by 7.4% from 2016-2026. That amounts to 11.5 million new jobs providing you with plenty of job opportunities to choose from. While there are many reasons to consider making a mid-career change, perhaps one of the 10 reasons listed below will resonate with you.
Reason #1 – You Want to Earn More Money
According to a recent article in The Atlantic, making a mid-career change can increase your salary by more than what you might expect from a standard raise. You deserve more money. No matter who you are. No matter what you do. You, yes I’m talking to YOU! You deserve more money. If you’re not quite sure, you can actually calculate how valuable you are to your boss. Regardless, an attitude of abundance can help you to be successful in the world today. Not a sense of entitlement but a sense of self-worth. In other words, you don’t have to accept the salary someone else has decided that you (or your position) is worth. Most jobs have a salary range as opposed to a specific dollar figure. So when you are negotiating a salary, ask to be paid at or near the top of the range that you already know is within the company’s budget.
Reason #2 – Better Growth Opportunity
Do you currently hold a position within your company where there are no other rungs on the corporate ladder to climb unless your boss transfers, resigns or gets fired? If so, after you have tried subtly mentioning the fact that your uncle Fred recently retired and is enjoying all of the free time he now has and casually leaving articles in the breakroom about “things to do when you retire,” it might be time to consider making a career change. Often a larger company will provide more opportunities for growth than your current company. Even if you were to make a lateral move to work for a larger organization, there may be other roles or even other divisions within that company to provide you with many more growth opportunities than your current, dead end job.
Reason #3 – Less Travel / Business Trips
Are you sick of living out of a suitcase and rarely sleeping in your own bed? Do you miss your family or your pet? In this case, you either have a severe case of homesickness and are a kid at camp that somehow stumbled upon this article (Really kid? You still haven’t learned how to use Google?), or it might be time to consider making a career change to an organization that is closer to home and requires less travel or none at all. On the flipside, perhaps you are desperate to get away from your family. Not for good, just to give you a little room to breathe. There are career opportunities that can help you achieve that dream as well.
Reason #4 – New Supervisor
What is the number one thing that you are not supposed to mention in a job interview? If you said not to mention that “my boss is total jerk,” then you are correct. Sadly, your boss is a total jerk. We know. We’ve met him (or possibly her, but it’s often a male boss that’s being a jerk). He’s so overbearing and condescending. Obviously it’s time to consider making a mid career change. Hopefully your new boss will be a much nicer person. Odds are in your favor.
Reason #5 – Corporate Culture
According to Inc magazine, “Corporate culture refers to the shared values, attitudes, standards, and beliefs that characterize members of an organization and define its nature.” Do you feel like you fit in with the corporate culture of your company? Has the corporate culture shifted or have your beliefs evolved such that you and your organization are no longer aligned? Having shared values with your company can enhance your job satisfaction as there is more to being satisfied than simply earning a paycheck. Needless to say, if you have condescending co-workers (bullying in the workplace has been found to put a bit of a damper on job satisfaction), it’s probably time to consider making a career change.
Reason #6 – Shorter Commute
Are you spending over 2 hours per day traveling round trip to and from work? If so, and you’re not on a train or a bus, then you are losing valuable time where you could be getting more work done (or sleeping, also a valuable use of your time). For some, this may not be enough of a reason to consider making a career change, but in Los Angeles (or another major city with nightmare traffic during rush hour), it is a common reason that people decide to look for new job opportunities. Depending upon where you work and live, it might be easier to make a career change to an organization located closer to where you live than to uproot your home and your family so you can be closer to your job.
Reason #7 – Change in Family (new baby, divorce, eldercare, etc.)
Having a new baby is a joyous occasion (most of the time). Congratulations! You now have another mouth to feed. You might also need a flexible schedule that would allow you to do some babysitting. Another family change that might be less joyous (really depends) is getting a divorce. As you know getting divorced is becoming more common than ever. Once the dust has settled, you might be ready for a fresh start in more ways than one. Depending on how things go, you might consider making a career change in order to pay alimony, attorney’s fees, etc. Finally, there’s eldercare. Similar to having a baby, you may have another mouth to feed, and you might need flexibility to babysit your elderly relative (hopefully it’s not your mother-in-law). Alternatively, you might need to pay for your elderly relative to get in-home care, or to be cared for in an assisted living facility.
Reason #8 – More Varied Tasks & Projects (Joe vs. The Volcano)
Have you ever seen the movie Joe vs. The Volcano? If not, you might want to check it out on Netflix. It’s a great movie. Anyway, if you’re sick and tired of doing the same repetitive work day after day, you’re not alone. There are plenty of job opportunities that can provide you with more mental stimulation. According to an article in Tech Republic, “millennials are nearly twice as bored with work than baby boomers.” Maybe so, but even if you’re half as bored as a millennial, it still might be enough of a reason to consider new job opportunities.
Reason #9 – You Recently Earned A Degree or Advanced Certification
Congratulations! You worked hard, studied hard and passed with flying colors! Now what?
It might be time to consider making a career change, especially if your degree or certification has little to do with your current occupation and/or company. Even if your degree or certification is relevant, unless you signed a contract (such as that employee agreement you signed upon being hired) that says you are obligated to stay with your company for a specified amount of time in exchange for tuition reimbursement, you are free to consider other career opportunities. To be on the safe side, you might want to check with your HR department and consult an employment attorney.
Reason #10 – Spouse / Partner Was Transferred
Is your spouse or partner getting transferred to a new city to open a new branch or did he or she get a great job offer that would require a move? If so, you’re in luck because now you no longer need to consider making a career change. Your decision has pretty much been made for you. You need to actually start planning your career change.
Where do you begin? Who can you turn to? It’s all so sudden! The confusion…the agony!
Fear not, the CareerRx offers a comprehensive course that will provide you will everything you need to help you successfully make a career change.