Changing Careers After 40

Seattle, WA, USA--(Jobwerx News)--It can be scary to change careers after spending most of your life doing something else, so don't go it alone.

Changing careers is tough for anyone. We depend on our jobs- not just for financial security, as a part of our identities. So when we change careers, we're changing lifestyles too. Our careers make us who we are, and are often the one thing that is constant in life. So what do we do when we feel like its time for a change?

Get support before you do anything else

When you're going to make a life change, you need to have the important people in your life behind you. Those with a strong support system do better at work and in life. Your best bet is to make sure you have emotional support before you do anything else. Moral support is the first step to making a life changing decision.

Let everyone around you know that your changing jobs

This will not only inform them of your decision, it will help to pass the word along that you want a new job. The more people you tell, the better chance you have of finding an opportunity that fulfils your needs. Networking is the one of the best ways to find a job and not to mention, it's free!

Take Action

Don't sit around waiting for opportunities to find you. If opportunity doesn't come knocking at your door, find another doorway. There are always ways you can help yourself, so make use of your natural resources. It can be hard changing careers after 40, but don't let your fears get in the way. If you don't do anything, nothing will happen. So take a chance and get out in the world. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

* Make a list of all your transferable skills. Just because you're starting over, doesn't mean you don't have anything valuable to bring to the table. If you've had a job for a long period of time, you know right off the bat that you have skills employers value. If you need help starting out, start with the basics (i.e. responsible, hard worker, ready to learn).

* Make sure you're changing careers for the right reasons. If you're unhappy with your life overall, changing jobs is not the cure. Jot down a few reasons why you want to leave your current career, and make a short list of how a new career will improve your situation

* Take a chance. You don't know until you try. Don't be afraid to get out and try new things. Use your free time (on weekends or after work) to explore your interests. Take a class, visit the library, or research online. When you realize what you want to do, make a plan to achieve it. Like anything else, when you get a new job, you won't be able to start out at the top- but that doesn't mean you can't get there.

Having a Positive Outlook for Every Job Interview
These job searching tips outline how you can get yourself into a positive state of mind for every interview. http://www.jobwerx.com/resources/positive_job_interview-id=947197_586.html

If you're having trouble finding out what you really want, take a career test. Its fun and easy and it will help you get in the right direction. To find out about MAPP assessments, visit this web address: http://www.jobwerx.com/MAPP.html and receive a complimentary Personalized Sample Career Analysis.

Do what makes you happy

Just because you're good at something, doesn't mean you like it. Make goals to achieve and follow through on them. This may take some time, but realize that your happiness is worth it. Make a game plan in your mind, or keep a log. Sometimes seeing things on paper makes them more real. Do whatever you have to do to find what you're looking for.

Once you know what you're looking for, the next step is to generate as many job leads as possible so you can find it quickly. After all, the best time to start a new job is when you're still excited about making the change!

The best way to get your resume exposed quickly is by getting it posted on all the major job sites. Resume Director is a service that can do this for you. Your resume will be posted on over 90 job sites including Monster, HotJobs, CareerBuilder, etc., and it will be seen by up to a million recruiters and employers daily. To find out more about it, visit this web address: http://www.jobwerx.com/resume_director.html

Another option for reaching recruiters is to send your resume directly to them with a resume distribution service. We recommend Resume Arrow. They will e-mail your resume instantly to thousands of recruiters in your industry and geographic location. Visit their site at this address:
http://www.resumearrow.com/def.php3?pc=13CS756

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