New Decade, New Job: How to Change Career in Your Thirties

Many college graduates (or soon-to-be graduates) are mismatched to their jobs. Are you one of them?

Chemistry was your favorite subject in high school, so you figured out that you must pursue a degree in Chemistry. It turned out that your heart wasn't into it, and it happened during your second year. Changing courses required a leap of faith, which you weren't worried at all. The cost didn't sit well with your folks, though. If you didn't fancy any science-related field, then you could be a bookworm. You thought that studying literature would be a walk in a park, but you were dead wrong. You barely kept up with the deadlines and examinations, but you managed to meet the requirements. You were dead tired, though. Graduate studies wouldn't be an option, and the prospect of venturing into an academic career seemed like light years away. You didn't sit this one through, of what related fields you could parlay the skills you learned from your department. You may be pursuing another degree, but you were living the moment during your college days. You wanted to acquaint with other students, hoping to make lots of friends along the way. It didn't cross your mind that only a few, if not one, would matter in the end. It won't be your fault, though.

You're living in a goal-obsessed world, which can confuse anyone, everyone. You might not know yourself well enough, such that you were unaware that you were studying the subjects that didn't inspire you at all. There's nothing wrong about making sensible choices in life, yet you must look ahead. You must think of something that you really want to do for the rest of your life. It's fine if you're a young professional, as your twenties should be a period of considerable personality development and professional growth. It would give you several miles on your clock, which your colleagues would notice sooner or later. In other words, it makes you more attractive to them. A few employees won’t change careers when they reach their thirties while the rest discover who they really are. It can mean starting from scratch, which can be a scaring thought. After all, you wonder if you're too old to start all over again. Not at all.

Many professionals experience this dilemma, which can be a turning point if they reinvent themselves right. If you happen to be one of those people, then you already know that what you're doing didn't turn out to be right for you. It's time to muster your courage, and analyze your career path.

The Dos and Don'ts of Changing Careers

Know your values. It won't take you a minute to know your values. If you don't have a clue, then it would refer to the things that inspire you. If you're still in the dark, then you must determine what you enjoy the most. (Traveling must not be the answer unless you have lots of money at your disposal.) The next part might take some time, as you must identify the skills and knowledge that identify with your values. It won't be hard to look for another job after you find out.

Don't analyze the situation a lot. This step requires action, and you must not have trepidation about failure. No two companies require the same set of skills. In other words, you must not be dejected if a certain company doesn't give you a job offer. The right one is still out there, so you must be relentless in your pursuit of it. If you want to succeed, then you must pay attention to the next item.

Never do it alone. If you're a smart individual, then you should have realized, during your college days no less, that the people you meet in college could lead you to your dream job. If you need a change in career, then your network should play a pivotal role in it. Not that the job ads won't be good enough, yet it may take some time. (And time might be too short for some people.) Don't be afraid to tell your family and friends about it, even if they have a different, if not bitter, perspective about it. You may stumble into something that you haven't thought before. And you may regret it for not thinking it earlier.

How to Build Your Confidence and Resilience

There will be setbacks, which is expected. It’s fine if you take a retreat, spending more time in your room (if you still live with your parents). You shouldn’t do it for more than a week, as you won’t be the only one looking for a job. Stop comparing yourself with others. If you happen to hear someone doing it, particularly if it’s something you know, then let it roll. If you can’t do it, then let it motivate you to try harder. Last but not least, you know your strengths (and weaknesses) after working for a number of years. It should make you help you market yourself better in social media (like LinkedIn). You also won’t speak to anyone in your network in the same manner again. If you can’t visualize it, then visit a market. What prompts you to buy a certain product? If you have the answers, then you must think about what makes you attractive to employers.

If you’ll turn 30 next year, then you have one more year to go through it. Playtime is over.