Changing careers at 40

A career change doesn't come without challenges, such as the financial impact or the extra time needed to study. However, with the right planning and support, these challenges don’t have to stop you from making a successful career switch. People in their 40s actually have a wealth of skills, knowledge and experience that they can apply to a new role.

Why do people change careers in their 40s?

While it was once common for people to stay in the same career for decades, more Australians are choosing to switch careers and reinvent themselves for a variety of reasons. These typically include: 

• Pursuing a long-term passion or interest - After spending years in the same industry, you may want to pursue a long-term passion or find a career that better aligns with your values. 
• Stress and workplace burnout - Based on a recent report by Heads Up, 91 per cent of Australian employees believe mental health in the workplace is important. Many Australians consider changing careers if they experience a toxic workplace culture, or feel increasing pressure to carry out more work. This stressful environment can lead to workplace burnout, a common contributing factor for people making a career change. 
• Higher earning potential or career advancement - Many industries or careers have a ceiling. You reach a point where a fresh change is needed to open up new paths for advancement and growth. Many people over 40 are also seeking a career that earns enough to achieve financial security, especially when planning for retirement. 
• Better work-life balance - Once people reach their 40s, they often have many competing priorities to manage outside of their professional lives. This could be family commitments or caring for aging parents. Finding a new position with more flexibility can bring much-needed balance to your daily life. 
• Their industry has changed - New technology and market conditions can significantly change an industry over time. More recently, with the rise of AI and automation, many people are reconsidering their own careers and are actively looking for jobs with more long-term security. 

Advantages of changing careers in your 40s

While it does come with challenges, people in their 40s have unique attributes that can make it easier for them to change careers. These include: 

• Established skills - Through your years of experience, changing careers after 40 can be made easier due to the established skills you can apply to a new role. These could be problem-solving, communication and leadership skills that can easily translate. 
• Professional experience - Even when entering a completely new field, people over 40 bring considerable professional experience, giving you valuable knowledge and confidence to be successful post career change. 
• You bring reliability and maturity - New employers will often value people in their 40s because they have proven life experience, bringing a maturity that's harder to get in younger candidates. 
• Clearer career goals - Likely by your 40s, with years of job experience, you’ve developed a clearer understanding of what you want and don't want in a new job. This means you can choose a path that truly aligns with your career goals. 
• Leadership and communication experience - Many professionals in their 40s may have already developed strong leadership and interpersonal skills to take advantage of in their new career.

Challenges of changing careers in your 40s

It’s important to also be aware of the possible challenges you can encounter when switching careers at this age. These include: 

• Financial commitments - Any career changes can be challenging financially, especially once you reach your 40s when the cost of living is much higher than when you were younger. You may have a mortgage, family, bills and other expenses, making it important to plan ahead. A staged transition, where you begin study without leaving your current role, can help you test your interest in the new field before abandoning your current salary. 
• Finding time to study or retrain - In your 20s, it’s much easier to find time to study or hop from job to job. But once you reach your 40s, you likely have much more responsibility, and it may be difficult to balance study with your current work and family. Make sure you choose a study schedule that fits your commitments. 
• Entering an unfamiliar industry - Diving into a new industry means stepping outside of your comfort zone and getting used to a new team, systems, terminology and ways of working. Although this can be challenging, your existing skills and experience can help you adapt.  
• Self-doubt - It’s natural to have fears and self-doubt, especially when diving into something as unknown as a career change. Try to think about all the professional goals you’ve already accomplished and the existing skills and experience you have to take with you in the next step of your professional life.

How to make a career change after 40

1. Define what you want from your next career

Before deciding on your next move, it’s important to define the things you want to prioritise in a new career. A career change can be a great opportunity to prioritise the things that are important to you, whether that’s greater flexibility, better work-life balance or a greater earning potential. 

Take some time to consider what you enjoy about your current career and the things you want to leave behind. Having a clear idea of what you want will make it easier to find the right career and identify opportunities that genuinely match your goals. 

2. Assess your current skills and experience

Although you may need to learn new technical and industry-specific skills in your new career, you’ll still have transferable skills built over your professional life that are valued in practically any industry or job position. The following are just some of the transferable skills you could highlight in a future resume or cover letter:

• Communication
• Resilience
• Adaptability and flexibility to change
• Teamwork
• Creativity
• Problem-solving
• Critical thinking
• Emotional intelligence
• Leadership 
• Ability to show initiative and be proactive

This also gives you a great opportunity to recognise any gaps that you’ll need to develop for future growth. 

3. Research and compare potential career paths

One of the most important steps in changing your career is finding your next career. We recommend exploring all potential paths that align with your stage in life, fitting your skills and goals. Research the sector you are interested in, and the types of job roles in that industry. Look out for any essential qualifications, technical skills and transferable skills.

Try to avoid getting caught up in the job titles and salaries. While these are important, try to think more about what the daily work will actually look like and whether this role is something you want for your future. 

4. Assess your current situation

Before diving into any significant career change, it’s always good to take stock and assess your current situation. This means considering the financial impact by reviewing your current savings and monthly expenses and planning for the possibility of being on a lower income as you transition. These are valid concerns and we recommend discussing these with your financial planner for support. 

Also consider how a career change might impact your family, gauging their support. Especially if you have to study for a period of time, or relocate for a new job, it’s important to get the opinions of your partner and other key support figures. 

5. Identify your skills gaps and explore study pathways

When making a career change, you may need to earn a qualification or study to fill any potential skill gaps. This doesn't always mean starting completely from scratch with a four-year degree; there are plenty of shorter graduate courses, qualifications or short courses that make your CV look stronger. 

Studying demonstrates to a potential employer you're committed to your new career. It also gives you a valuable chance to learn more about the new industry before fully committing. 

6. Build your network in the new industry

Building a network of people within your new industry is one of the best ways to give yourself a leg up. Try to create a list of contacts and use LinkedIn to contact them directly for a coffee. Although it may not lead to a job, these conversations can be a great way to get a better understanding of your new career path and what it takes to succeed. 

You could also reach out to your current network for support, be it an old school friend or a previous colleague who has relevant experience in that sector. 

7. Build a network of support

While it’s important to build a professional network, having a strong support system of people is just as vital. These are the ones that help lift you up with the emotional support needed during a potentially stressful period of change. 

This could be your partner, close family members, friends, or even your current colleagues. They can give you advice, offer motivation and maybe even new perspectives or stories about their own career changes. Whenever you encounter challenging moments, these are the people you lean on to get you through. 

8. Update your resume and professional profiles

Before you start applying for jobs, you’ll need to update your resume and professional LinkedIn profile to reflect your career change. 

We recommend tailoring these to your new career, instead of just listing everything you’ve done previously. The strongest resumes will showcase your transferable skills and the valuable experience you can bring to a new role. This is a great chance to include any relevant achievements or successful projects. Also make sure to reference any courses or certifications completed that demonstrate your commitment to upskilling for a new role.

Best careers to start at 40

Healthcare and nursing

Healthcare and nursing can offer a rewarding pathway for those in their 40s looking for something that better aligns with their values. Particularly if those values are centred around making a positive difference in the lives of others, the industry offers strong demand for a variety of potential pathways. 

Potential careers:

• Qualified nurse 
• Allied health assistant
• Individual support worker

Education and training

Education and training can be a rewarding career change for people who enjoy helping others learn and develop. Your existing professional and personal experience can also be valuable for supporting students. 

Potential careers:

• Teacher
• Early childhood educator
• TAFE educator

Business and administration

Business offers flexible career choices for people in their 40s, featuring opportunities that span almost every industry. You can also use your existing communication, organisation and leadership skills to apply to a new role. 

Potential careers:

• Administration officer
• Office manager
• Project manager 

Horticulture and conservation

With practical work and time spent outdoors, horticulture and conservation can be a rewarding career for anyone looking for a fresh start. Workers in this industry get the opportunity to work with plants, the natural environment and local communities. 

Potential careers:

• Horticulturalist
• Parks and gardens worker
• Conservation worker

Trade services

A trade career can be a brilliant choice for anyone who loves practical, hands-on work for an industry in high demand. Depending on the trade, you may need to complete an apprenticeship, where you hone your skills with a combination of workplace experience and study. 

Potential careers:

• Electrician
• Plumber
• Carpenter
• Mechanic
• Engineer

Making any career change after 40 can be an incredibly rewarding decision. Although it does not come without its challenges, when carried out with the right advice, it can help you find a career that better suits your goals and lifestyle. The right support is always essential; that’s why we recommend reaching out to SWTAFE and browsing our available courses to find the right career for the next phase of your professional life.