How to Change Careers at 50

By the time you reach 50, you’ve potentially worked for a few decades in the same industry and possibly even in the same job! If you haven’t considered a career change before this point, you may very well be considering it now.

If you want to try something new, a career change at 50 can be a great option. You can use your existing skill set gained for decades of working while finding a new and exciting career to work in. That said, you most likely will require additional training to gain the knowledge. Skills and earn the required certificates to be offered interviews and ultimately accepted for these job roles.

In this article, we will show you how to change careers at 50 and provide some tips to help you transition into a new role after a long time.

Read more: What you need to know about changing your career.

How to change careers at 50

First, you need to explore why you want to change careers. This might be to look for a more rewarding job, higher earning potential, slower pace of work, or to become a manager.

Next, you need to think about what you want to do next. The best way to do this is to list the jobs that interest you and see what skills you will need to be accepted in these roles. As noted above, some may require official training, so it’s best to stay in your current job and study while working.  

Finally, you need to set your goals and update your CV. Explore the certificates you need to earn to be accepted for your new job role and start your training. How long will it take to go from your first training session to passing your exams? You need to factor this time into your plan.

In your 40s? Find out how to change careers at 40.

Understanding your passions and strengths

If you're considering a career change at 50 because you no longer feel fulfilled at work, it could be time to consider a more rewarding career.

Over the years, you would have developed skills, gained knowledge, and learned techniques that you can use across any business. These are often referred to as ‘transferable skills’, and you should make a list of your transferable skills, as these will help you bridge the gap between your current job and the job you are considering next.

To get the most out of this process, remember to:

• Listen to feedback.
• Consider your passions.
• Pay attention to when you are most productive.
• Ask others directly.
• Take a personality test.
• Seek out new experiences.

Read more: How to climb up the career ladder.

Career change ideas at 50

With 20+ years to go until retirement, a career change at 50 still provides you with enough time to become an expert in another chosen field. You most likely have spent time working in the sector you originally chose while in your late 20s and 30s and are looking for a change of pace, or wanting to try something new, with a fresh mindset for the last few years before considering part-time work as you head into semi-retirement.

Below, we have compiled a list of careers you might wish to pursue as a career change in your 50s.

• Marketing Manager
• Project Manager
• Business Administration
• Accountant
• Bookkeeper
• Mortgage Adviser
• Health & Safety Officer

Read more: How to study for a new career while working.

How to gain a qualification for a new career

Once you identify the industry and job role you want to work towards, you can train to gain the skills, knowledge, and certifications required to improve your chances of gaining employment in a role you're interested in. 

Here at e-Careers, we offer a wide range of Online courses and Virtual Classroom training that will enable you to prepare for your future career change. Click to explore our full list of training courses.

When you’re ready to get started, call our Course Consultants on +44 (0) 20 3198 7700 or fill out our contact form, and someone will be in touch with you to go through your training options.

Read our top tips for training towards a new career.