Career Change - Is it too late?

Posted on 2/10/2018 by Entree Recruitment

Age is no obstacle for those wanting to change careers. We asked the Entrée team what advice they would give those looking for a career transformation.

According to data from SEEK, 84% of employers and recruiters would hire someone who has recently changed careers. 

Making a change is in no way a stumbling block for future employment. However, you can’t just wake up in the morning and decide you want to be a rocket scientist. Well, you could. Gaining employment as a rocket scientist without the necessary skills is another matter. Wishing for a career change will not make it happen. You will need commitment. You need to be ready to undertake the extra training and study for your endeavour to succeed. 

One of the benefits of making a change later in your career is that you will already possess many of the skills you will need. There are many attributes which can only be learned on the job and those skills should not be discounted for future pursuits. For example, if you have spent the last twenty years in administration, you will most probably be skilled in organisation, project management, time management, data base proficiency, working to deadlines and managing multiple priorities. These are skills which can traverse any sector.

The ability to identify the skills you have already developed which will benefit your new role is one of the first steps to make in order for change to be possible. 

All recruiters agree that the one thing you will need to succeed in your new career is passion. Taking on a new role can be difficult, so unless you have a passion for it, it is unlikely you will be able to give it your all.

A career change doesn’t necessarily mean leaving your current place of work. Don’t be afraid in talking it through with your boss — it may be possible to obtain experience at your current workplace. Colleagues you already know and trust can make great mentors. More often than not, businesses these days are much more open to helping employees gain new skills with on-the-job and offsite training.

No matter what stage you are at in your career, change is possible — as long as you have the passion and commitment to see it through.