A career change later in life can be daunting, but careful planning, targeted training and a clear financial cushion can help workers move into a new profession, career advisers say.
The advice comes as retraining becomes increasingly important for people facing job cuts, technological change or the pressure of a role that no longer suits them. Experts have set out seven steps for those considering a fresh start, from identifying transferable skills to tailoring applications.
Overcoming the fear of starting again
Age, financial commitments and years spent in one industry can all appear to stand in the way of a career switch. Dr Sally Ann Law, a life and work coach, said people should not allow those concerns to become excuses for remaining unhappy.
She warned that asking relatives for advice could sometimes make the decision harder, because family members may prioritise stability and fear uncertainty.
“Think about a job you would really like to do – and how you might get there,” she said. “People in these positions often started out just like you. So now is the time to act.”
Robert Long, chief of staff at CV-Library, said fear was often the main barrier. “You only get one shot in this life so make sure that it counts,” he said.
Before resigning, however, prospective career changers should establish what qualifications and experience their target roles require. Job adverts can provide a useful guide, while a careers adviser at Jobcentre Plus may be able to identify suitable training.
Relevant but outdated qualifications may be brought up to date through refresher courses. Any new training should be placed prominently on a CV, while applications should be adapted for each vacancy rather than sent out in identical form.
Making human connections during a career change
Personal contact can be particularly valuable when applications are initially assessed by automated systems. Dr Law advises candidates to attend trade events and local talks, introduce themselves to employers and look for opportunities to meet people working in their chosen field.
Former colleagues and other contacts may also know about vacancies before they are widely advertised. A personal recommendation can help an applicant stand out, while work experience can be useful at any age, not only for graduates.
Free advice is available through the National Careers Service, including skills tests and guidance from qualified advisers. Help can be provided online, over the telephone or through face-to-face appointments at Jobcentre Plus offices.
Those already working for a large company may also find opportunities to move internally. Dr Law said employees should consider discussing a possible change with their manager or human resources department before leaving.
Money remains one of the biggest practical considerations. Mortgage payments, family responsibilities and the prospect of a lower starting salary can make a move appear impossible, but a detailed plan may provide more room for manoeuvre.
People changing careers later in life may have already paid off their mortgage or seen their children leave home. Downsizing could also release money to provide a cushion during retraining or a period on a reduced income.
Dr Law said couples should discuss the decision carefully because financial pressures can cause arguments.
Once the plan is in place, candidates need to present themselves confidently. Networking, a focused CV and a professional social-media profile can all help demonstrate transferable skills, achievements and flexibility.
Mr Long said automated screening systems often look for terms such as “mentor”, “collaborate” and “resolve”, as well as evidence of achievements. But he advised applicants not to rely on software to produce an entire CV or covering letter, as recruiters may identify applications that lack a personal touch.
Sending a smaller number of carefully chosen applications is preferable to applying indiscriminately. Rejections can provide useful feedback, which may help improve future CVs and interview technique.
Older applicants should present their experience as an asset while showing that they are willing to learn and adapt to changing workplace demands. Dr Law also advises concentrating on a rewarding role rather than pursuing the highest possible salary.
Three examples of changing direction later in life
Tim Bott, 62, from Folkestone in Kent, retired from Kent Police after 30 years as a front-line officer. His plans for a year-long backpacking trip were interrupted by Covid, after which he volunteered at hospital vaccination hubs.
There he met Virgin Atlantic cabin crew members who were also volunteering. Their accounts of being paid to travel encouraged him to apply for a role in the airline industry.
“I’d lost my identity in retirement,” Mr Bott said. “A chance to turn my great love of travel into a career was something I felt had passed me by until I met Virgin Atlantic volunteers who were cabin crew. They explained that age was no barrier and encouraged me to apply for my dream job.”
He was recruited four years ago after completing an online assessment, attending an assessment day and undertaking training. He now works on a part-time rota of 21 days followed by seven days off and earns £1,500 a month.
Mr Bott said the role had enabled him to travel during airline stopovers, including ballooning over Johannesburg, snorkelling in the Maldives, sailing off Jamaica and swimming with manatees in Miami. He said experience and being older could be an advantage rather than a drawback.
For Peter McKerrow, a career change followed a serious health scare. The project manager, from Purley in south London, was 55 when he was admitted to hospital with blood clots on his lungs. Doctors told him he had escaped death by 20 minutes.
He had worked in a high-pressure construction role but had always wanted to pursue music. At 57, he enrolled at the University of the Arts London to study sound arts: design.
“Turning up at the age of 57 surrounded by teenage undergraduates I felt like a fool – but it turned out to be the most exhilarating years of my life,” he said.
Mr McKerrow, now 73, graduated with first-class honours, completed a master’s degree and went on to become a music lecturer and producer.
Neil Montgomery took a different route after serving for 21 years in the Royal Navy as a physical training instructor. Aptitude tests at a job centre showed he had a strength with numbers, prompting him to explore accountancy.
He completed an Association of Accounting Technicians diploma at Worthing College in West Sussex and approached a local accountancy firm for work experience when he was 40.
“I was surprised to discover I was mentally dexterous with numbers. Accountancy sounded like a fun challenge,” he said.
The firm later offered him a job. After 14 years in accountancy, Mr Montgomery moved into further education and became a lecturer in accounting. Now 77, he says the discipline, respect and camaraderie learned in the Armed Forces were important to his second career.
