Reinventing Your Career: 5 Practical Strategies for Women Who Want to Make a Bold Career Change
“Life’s too short to stay stuck in a job you hate!” It’s a popular saying among many working adults, but when you’ve invested a significant amount of time in your career, you may be wondering, is it too late to change careers?
Maybe you’re over a certain age and think you’re “too old” to start over. Or you have a family depending on your income; the change could impact them negatively. These are valid concerns, concerns the 20-something-childless-you didn’t have back then.
Allow me encourage you with this: there has never been a better time in history for women at any age to make bold career moves. The key to success is having a strategic plan that helps you transition into your ideal career.
In this article, we’ll unpack five strategies to help you to make the bold career move you deserve.
Strategy #1: Shift Your Mindset
The first step to a successful career change is adopting the right mindset.
It's easy to get caught up in your current role and overlook the value of the skills and experience you've gained over the years. You might think, "This is all I'm good for," and feel limited by your position.
The truth is your biggest limitation is a negative mindset. It will prevent you from seeing all the options available to you because of your current career.
You've gained insight over the years into your strengths, preferred work environment, preferred management style, and the tasks you enjoy most. You have a clearer understanding of what you want out of your career and life, something your younger self didn’t have.
Challenge yourself to be open to the possibilities. Allow yourself to dream, explore, and learn. This is your chance to rewrite your career story.
Strategy #2: Identify Your "Why" and Core Values
This strategy is all about reconnecting with yourself. Years in a role can leave you feeling burnt out and disconnected from what you want in a career.
As author Robert Fritz said, “If you limit your choice only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is a compromise.” Don’t compromise who you are by limiting yourself to past experiences.
(And, please throw away that generic list of “ideal careers” you googled. You'll thank me later!)
Self-Discovery Exercise
To help you reconnect with yourself, try this exercise:
Grab a notebook and jot down your answers to the questions below.
Dreams: If time and money weren't factors, what would your ideal day look like?
Passions: What activities make you feel happy and fulfilled? Are there activities that make you feel this is what you were born to do?
Talents: What’s the thing you do effortlessly and doesn’t feel like work? What do you do that other people often turn to you for because you’re really good at it?
Values: What are your core values in life? Faith? Family? Financial security? Growth? Meaningful work?
Work preferences: Think about your current role. What task or projects do you enjoy? Which ones do you despise? Do you enjoy working independently or collaborating on a team? For each of your answers, include reasons behind your likes and dislikes.
Take your time with this exercise and pay attention to any patterns or recurring themes you see. They can indicate a career path worth exploring.
Also, don’t be afraid to talk to people you trust for more insight. Give yourself the freedom to consider everything. There are no wrong answers.
Strategy #3: Upgrade Your Skills
Once you have a general idea of the type of career you might like, it's time to turn your theory into practice. You may need to develop new skills or hone existing ones. Either way, there are a variety of ways you can sharpen your skills.
Here is a short list of resources to get you started:
Online Courses: If you need a flexible program, an online course is a convenient option. Digital learning platforms like Udemy, Coursera, Skillshare, and even Google are just a few of the many platforms offering courses that can help you acquire new skills.
Community Colleges & Local Libraries: If you prefer a traditional learning environment, community colleges are the way to go. Local libraries sometimes also host workshops and classes led by local experts. Many times the workshops and classes are free (or for a very small cost), which is perfect if you’re looking for budget-friendly options.
Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteering is a win-win. Not only do you deepen your knowledge, but you also gain hands-on experience while giving back to your community. A quick online search for non-profit organizations in your area should provide you with ideas. You can also consider your church, children’s school, your doctor’s office, and any other place you frequent. It doesn’t hurt to ask. After all, the worst they can say is “no.”
Your Existing Job: Is there a colleague whose expertise aligns with your goals? Could you shadow them or request mentorship without jeopardizing your current job? Are there projects you can take on that would give you relevant experience? Speak up! Opportunities may be closer than you realize.
Strategy #4: Audit YOur Online Presence
Do you have a LinkedIn profile? If you don’t, I’d encourage you to consider getting one. It’s an easy way to connect with professionals who are already doing the work you aspire to do.
The main thing you want to do with your profile is highlight all the relevant experience you have for the role you want. Include those online courses you’ve been taking, the volunteering you’ve been doing, those workshops at the library you’ve attended. Place the descriptions of those experiences at the top in the relevant sections of your LinkedIn profile.
You may even consider posting content about the industry in which you want to transition. Engage with content published by industry leaders as well. This helps you attract recruiters to your page.
A Word of Caution
When it comes to your headline and the About section, depending on your work environment, it may not be best to mention anything about your new career path. You don’t want to upset your current employer or end up exiting before you’re ready.
You know the dynamics of your workplace the best, so use sound judgment. If the only thing you can comfortably update is the Experience, Volunteer, and Skills sections of your profile, then limit your changes to that.
Strategy #5: Network Like Crazy (Online and Off)
If you're on LinkedIn, join professional groups and seek out industry-insider webinars. Eventbrite, Meetup, and Facebook also offer a wealth of online communities for like-minded professionals.
But don't limit yourself to what's online. Attending after-work events in your local area can open doors to opportunities much faster because you'll form connections with people in real time.
Lastly, tell everyone you know about your goals - they might just surprise you with unexpected connections.
Final Thoughts
Embarking on a new career at any age can be daunting, but it’s not impossible. With careful planning, an open mindset, and the will to step outside your comfort zone, you can successfully transition into a new career.
So get out there and make it happen! It’s never too late to pursue your passions and create a fulfilling career.
Leah Hird is the career and money editor for Hope Magazine. Recently, she embarked on her own bold career change after a decade as a paralegal. Today, she freelances as a ghostwriter and copywriter, specializing in crafting engaging marketing content for women-led businesses. You can follow her on LinkedIn.