Boomers changing careers? Avoid these 8 mistakes
The urge to switch careers can strike older workers for a
variety of reasons—an unexpected job loss, fear about dimming prospects in their
current industry, or simply a yen for change—but there are pitfalls of which to
be wary.
Certainly, one mistake is to rush the decision. If you have the luxury of
time—that is to say, a current job—consider taking three years to plan.
Depending on your financial situation, “you might have to do it incrementally,”
said Kerry Hannon, a Washington-based career expert and author of “Great Jobs
for Everyone 50+.” “You need a job that pays the bills now. Then, on the side, take the classes you need, build those skills you need,” she said.
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income for life Those who did it faster? Often, they “never got that traction,” she said.
If your new career entails starting a new business, check out these 10 tips for boomers to become entrepreneurs.
Here are eight mistakes to avoid when trying to switch careers:
1. Don’t go into it blind
Test the job first. Before you drop everything, including your paycheck, for your dream career, do a try out by volunteering, moonlighting or shadowing others.
Your dream career “may sound really romantic and fantastic…but when you actually do the job you realize it’s not such a great proposition or your personality really doesn’t fit,” Hannon said.
For example, one couple Hannon interviewed for her book opened their own chocolate business. But first, while the husband was still working as a pediatrician, he volunteered at Dean & DeLuca, the gourmet food store.
“Then, they started making chocolates for a local restaurant. They slowly expanded, and now they’ve got a nice online business,” Hannon said.
2. Don’t assume your skills are up-to-date
People often worry more about their gray hair rather than whether they have the right skills for their new career, said Marci Alboher, author of “The Encore Career Handbook” and vice president at Encore.org, a nonprofit that advocates for older people who start new careers aimed at the greater good.
“Everyone says, ‘Should I dye my hair?’” Alboher said. “I don’t want to say that appearance has nothing to do with it, but you should focus just as much on what you bring to the table.”
“Do you know what’s going on in the field? Are you connected to the right network? That stuff is equally or more important than what’s on top of your head,” she said. Read: 9 tips to for older job seekers to beat age bias.
Consider a certificate program at your local community college. “If you’re really interested in trying something different, take some courses to show you’re up-to-date on what’s happening,” Hannon said.
Also, take the time to assess how your skills can apply to your new field. “You need to sit down and say, ‘What skills did I do at this old job that can translate into what I can do at my new job?’” Hannon said.
3. Don’t put all of your focus on your resume
“You hear it all the time: ‘I’ve sent out hundreds of resumes,’” Alboher said. But “you never hear that people find their next thing by sending out resumes.”
Instead, focus on connecting to the right people. It’s “much more to do with who you know and what you know than having a pretty resume,” she said.
That entails getting out in the world. “The best thing you can do when looking for opportunities is to show up. Go to conferences, volunteer,” Alboher said.
“You’ll extend your network, you’ll probably be doing something that is enhancing your skills a little bit, and you’re also stepping away from that computer—that is really good for your mind set.”
Still, you should also make sure your LinkedIn profile is updated, Alboher said.
“Spend a little more time on the LinkedIn profile and a little less time” on the resume, she said.
4. Don’t ruin your hobby
Whatever your hobby, it’s not necessarily a great job for you.
Maybe you love gardening? That doesn’t mean you’re going to love landscape gardening, which can be solitary work when you’re doing it all day, every day, Hannon said.
“When it’s your full-time job it can be excruciating,” she said. That’s why, as noted above, testing your new career before making the switch is important.
5. Don’t ignore debt
“Debt is the biggest dream killer,” Hannon said. “If you can somehow get a handle on your outstanding debt, get a clean balance sheet—then you can take a job that may not be high paying.”
A related, and obvious, point: Save money before you make the switch. “If you’re shifting careers into something completely different, chances are you’re going to be making less money, at least for a while,” Hannon said. “Money is the biggest stumbling block, without a doubt.”
For those who are switching to their own small business, research the possibility of a loan. See the resources listed at the end of this story.
6. Don’t neglect defining your goals
Often, people are unclear or confused about what their passion is or what they really want to do, Hannon said.
“That’s really important. Do some soul-searching before you even get going. Ask people around you. Your friends sometimes know more about you than you do,” she said.
For example, you may have skills or hobbies that you don’t consider a possible job opportunity, but your friends do, she said.
7. Don’t get networking wrong
“If you’re wearing a name tag, it’s probably not the right way,” Alboher said. “The best ways to network are the ways that are layered into things that are already happening in your life and that are connected to your natural interests.”
For example, “if you’re a parent and you’re already spending a lot of time at your children’s school, that is where your network is. That’s where you show up for part of the day. Pay attention to who shows up there,” she said.
8. Don’t panic
Changing careers is big and at times overwhelming.
When people leave a career, they “lose their identity,” Hannon said. “They lose their confidence and their mojo when they’re in the midst of a change.”
To avoid that feeling, take baby steps, Hannon said. “Do one thing every day to make the change. Make that one phone call every day. Try to make yourself take one step toward what you want to do.”
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