"It's not too late!" The barrage of headlines when looking for a career change at 40 suggests time is running out. Just look at people like Martha Stewart, Vera Wang, and Sam Walton of Wal-Mart to see how some people peak after switching careers around 40.

In reality, a recent LinkedIn survey shows that 83% of Gen-X workers and 92% of Millennials are at least thinking about how to change careers at 40. I was in my mid-40s when I walked away from a career I spent two decades building. A wave of relief and a cloud of anxiety collided.

When figuring out how to switch careers at 40, trending isn't as important as trying to find the best fit for the rest of your career. 

Understanding Your Motivations and Strengths

A change of career at 40 or any age is complicated. Even the Bureau of Labor Statistics can't officially track the data because " no consensus has emerged on what constitutes a career change."

That conundrum is a great starting point for you. 

Do you want to change careers or get a new job within a given industry? Are you looking for a minor tweak in job duties or a seismic shift in industries?

One thing I had to do when I left my corporate job in my 40s was be honest with myself. I had to fix my hustle culture mentality, or I would take it with me to any job. I had to find the line between what seemed like a dream job (opening a dog grooming business) and the reality of my skills (owners still get caught up in the paperwork I dreaded).

Don't make any decisions when you're burned out, overworked, emotional, or tired. Use those moments to identify what skills you bring to any profession.

Finding the Right Path

My path took me from a 24-hour grind as a journalist to a freelance journalist and content creator, which seemed so transferable. In hindsight, I had so much to learn. 

When first wondering how to make a career change at 40, look for forums and discussion groups. Reddit is filled with people just like you (and me) who are at various stages of changing careers at 40. 

A few things that helped me: 

  • Financial: Explore the costs of additional education and the reality of entry-level or mid-level pay ranges. 
  • Logistical: Look at job descriptions in your ideal fields and note the specific tasks, software, and duties required to thrive. 
  • Forward Thinking: Changing careers at 40 is one thing. I didn't want to do it at 60 again. The employment projections from BLS show the future of each industry.
  • Walk the Walk: Find a few mentors through networking groups and shadow them for a few days. 

Bridging the Gap

Even as we look back 20 years, which is when most of those wondering how to switch careers at 40 first picked a profession, the changes are immense. 

Facebook was founded in 2004. The iPhone was still three years away from being released while we all gripped our Blackberry. Zoom wasn't created until 2011.

During your research phase, you saw some of the technological skills you need to thrive in your new industry. That starts the roadmap of ongoing education, certificates, and degrees you should obtain. 

A career change at 40 in 2024 and beyond comes with the ability to take online classes, virtual college classes, and webinars by the thousands just waiting to be watched on your timeline. 

Take time to create an action plan. Consider not just the costs but also the long-term value of getting an additional degree. 

College credits from the past are still valid and can transfer to a first or second bachelor's degree or perhaps catapult you to a master's degree with additional education. Check how far you are away from a new degree. It's never a disadvantage to have extra education.

Need a little boost figuring out what sector suits you? Get started by exploring several of our career quizzes that take just a few minutes to help plan your future and add to the action plan. 

Ensuring Stability During Transition

Let's face it – looking for a job is a job in itself. Switching careers is an overtime job that not only doesn't pay well but can add more debt from additional education. However, getting or adding to your degree collection is a priceless addition to your resume.

The general rule states you should have three to six months of living expenses saved up before you leave your job. Even with that, live frugally until you land a new career at 40. Consider things like what to do with your 401K while you're in between careers and how you will handle health and life insurance. 

Then, identify your new living expenses for the transition based on the income projection for your new job. Live within those means. 

Leveraging Connections

Not everyone who is trying to figure out how to switch careers at 40 is doing it willingly or excitedly. Maybe you were "retired" from your workplace. Perhaps your kids are out of the house, or you're newly single after raising a family. Some of us were also mentally decaying from monotony and workplace toxicity.

You need a healthy circle of friends and family supporting your goal, with three critical needs: 

  • Reality Bites: You need people who will be honest with you and call you out when needed.
  • Die Hard: The people who will do anything to help you succeed and be non-stop cheerleaders. 
  • Lion King: The people who have been through tough times and came out better for it, always reminding you that "you are more than what you have become." 

Then, identify how to get the community and industry rallied behind you. Attend a Chamber of Commerce social function, connect with LinkedIn leaders, volunteer with a non-profit where you'll meet other socially-minded people. 

Setting Goals and Timelines

Not many of us can just up and leave a job to chase a dream. By the time you found this article, you've been stewing about how to switch careers at 40 for a while. 

Now, it's time to put that plan into action:

  • Self-assessment and Reflection: One year ahead, reflect on current career satisfaction, assess skills, and identify new interests.
  • Research and Exploration: Explore new careers, conduct informational interviews, and research educational requirements for the next six to 12 months.
  • Skill Development and Networking: Also, spend that time either leaving your current job with financial backing for ongoing education or training or working those tasks into your daily grind. 
  • Transition: Give yourself three to six months of job searching, interviewing, and portfolio polishing before accepting a new job. 

If you're still stuck on what you want to do next, try out this helpful quiz to get started in the right direction. 

Making Your Move

I had a shocking reality when I made the switch and updated my resume. I showed it to several hiring managers I had connected with, one of whom was a bright, younger Millennial. 

"You don't want to showcase that you worked in the 1900s," she said, barely looking up from her iPhone. 

When it comes to resumes for switching careers at 40, you don't know what you don't know, so let someone help you through a resume service or take an online class. 

Know your skills, but know which of those skills resonate with hiring managers. Here's my best expert tip on resumes for switching carers at 40 – find your dream job and then research the person who is in that role. Look at THEIR resume. 

Staying Motivated and Resilient

A very important thing happens when you turn 40 in any workplace: you're now part of a protected class. 

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)  prohibits age-based discrimination in hiring, promotion, and firing. This protection ensures equal opportunities for those over 40, but it can lead to concerns about age bias. 

Even AARP did studies that show 90% of workers "believe that age discrimination against older workers is common in the workplace." 

Plus, people over 40 use more health care coverage, which can drive up premiums for all employees, are harder to fire under ADEA, and might not be seen as a good long-term investment in training compared to someone right out of college with their entire career ahead of them. 

Hear me when I saw this, and louder for the people in the back - you don't want to work for those people anyway. Surround yourself with positive influences, celebrate small victories, and keep sight of your long-term goals.

Key Takeaways

Switching careers at 40 is a bold and commendable step towards personal and professional fulfillment. 

By understanding your motivations, researching new paths, continuously learning, ensuring financial stability, leveraging connections, setting goals, and staying resilient, you can successfully navigate this transition.

Let go of 2004 thinking, and if you can't find a job you like, invent it. The entrepreneurial spirit in America is strong and opportunities are everywhere. You have life experience, connections, and resilience that only come with reaching the age of 40.