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Mid-Career Makeover: Your Guide to Effective Transition Strategies

Writer's picture: Sylvia Broetje, PhDSylvia Broetje, PhD

Making a career change mid-career can be exhilarating but also very (very!) scary. It could provide you the opportunity to find new challenges and to align your work with your values and interests - whether those have evolved over time or have been there all along but somehow fell by the wayside. Acknowledging the value of your past experiences is an important first step in making a career change without starting from scratch.


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Harness Your Transferable Skills

First of all, you want to take inventory of your transferable skills, since you might be able to leverage them in your new field. Skills like project management, problem-solving, leadership, or negotiation are desired across many industries. Some of these might sound a little generic but don't discard them as unimpressive. Just think of the many times you worked with someone who wasn't a good leader, listener, problem-solver, etc. Don't take them for granted. That being said, the more precise and specific you can get with your skills, the better. This will also be useful to get past the algorithms once you are applying for jobs.


Networking and Industry Research

Networking is a key competence these days. Research opportunities to find others who are already doing what you would like to do. See if you can join any professional groups. There are many great groups on Facebook, even highly specialized ones dedicated to specific kinds of career changes. People there will understand what you're going through, they cheer each other on and help out by critiquing each other resumes, etc. Attend workshops, and look for mentorship opportunities. Research people on LinkedIn and look at their previous experiences: How did they get to where they are now?

Understanding the industry is also really important. What are the trends happening in the field? What challenges are organizations facing? Take a look at job postings to see how companies talk about themselves and what they are looking for in candidates.


Education

You don't always need to obtain a new degree to change careers. However, additional education can sometimes bridge the gap between your current expertise and the new field. Sometimes, this means going back for an extensive degree, especially if the desired field is highly regulated, such as healthcare (you wouldn't want a nurse practitioner who hasn't been thoroughly trained). But very often, a certification can do the trick. Be cautious not to go certificate-collecting, however. Be strategic about what you want the certification to do for you. Do you want to obtain new skills? Or do you want to use it to signal skills that you already possess but that you want to present more prominently?


Rebrand Your Professional Image

You will also want to overhaul your professional image. This can be tricky to navigate and depends heavily on your specific situation. In some industries, you might have to downplay your previous experiences, in others, not as much. Adapting your resume and making your experience section shorter can almost feel like self-betrayal. Think of the resume as a marketing document, not as an autobiography. Your whole life and work story is still valid, even if you need to tweak it a little to get the role you want. You will also want to adapt your LinkedIn profile and your elevator pitch.


Practical Experience and Side Projects

Gaining practical experience in your new field can be a game-changer. This might mean taking on freelance work, volunteering, or doing internships. Though it might feel like a step back, these experiences are invaluable for building new skills and demonstrating your commitment to potential employers. And also to ensure that you have clarity about your decision to change careers. Side projects can also be a great way to build experience and show your passion for your new field. For example, if you’re transitioning into graphic design, creating a portfolio of your designs, even if they’re self-initiated projects, can be a powerful tool in your job search.

Of course, this is easier done in some fields, but always try to see how you could demonstrate how committed you are to this change. As an example: Before applying to PhD programs, I had been out of university for about a decade. I took classes as a non-degree-seeking student and took a position as a volunteer research assistant to show how serious I was about doing a PhD, to build a network and to just breath the air of academia on a daily basis.


Mindset and Resilience

A career change is an exciting but challenging endeavor and it requires a positive mindset and resilience. Think about how you can best support yourself in managing this transition. Who else might be able to support you? Acknowledge and celebrate the small wins. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Yes, there is a cost associated with making a major change. Sometimes, you might find that it's not worth it and that, instead, smaller changes within your current career could be a better solution. However, there are also costs associated with not making changes. So try to get as much information and clarity as you can. If you decide to take the plunge, embrace the journey, and don’t hesitate to seek support when needed. Networking groups, mentors, or career coaches can provide invaluable guidance and encouragement. You can learn more about my services here, if you're interested.


Conclusion

Making a big career change is definitely challenging, but it's far from impossible. Be dedicated but also patient with yourself on this journey. And remember, your previous experiences are assets, not liabilities. They are part of your life story and make you who you are!


Sylvia Broetje, PhD Industrial / Organizational Psychologist and Career Counselor


Credit: Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

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