Career change after 30: What to expect

Fear is normal. According to research by SuperJob.ru, half of Russia's working population intends to completely change their profession. But many do not dare to take this step, fearing the loss of a familiar occupation and steady income. And some also believe that it is too late to change the profession after 30.

Over the years, a person accumulates professional experience, accumulated skills, hours of study in the specialty. To leave for a new profession means to give up all this and start all over again. It is difficult to make such a step.

At the same time, by the age of 30 a person has already formed values that help to understand whether he or she is in the right place. At the same time he is still full of energy and emotional strength to make significant changes in his life.

Deciding to make a career change is much easier if you know what to prepare for. Let's break down the pros and cons of this step to make an informed decision.

Let's start with the minuses

When hiring, priority is often given to an employee with experience.

A well-known trap works here: you can't be hired without experience, and you can't gain experience because you're not hired. In the process, you have the opportunity to fill your portfolio with learning projects - a common recommendation for both the young and the older job seeker. Often an employer will lean toward an older candidate, adding life experience and skills in another field to their training portfolio in mind.

You'll need extra time to learn a new profession - and you need somewhere to take it if you're combining your studies with your job.

Find time to study by setting a clear goal and optimizing your schedule. Analyze your actions during the day, throw out all the "time eaters" - and the daily few dozen minutes to study will certainly be found. You may have to learn not to get distracted by social networks and quit smoking.

A job in a new profession will have to start with a relatively small salary.

This is a reality that you should be prepared for. Stock up on part-time work to get you through the first few months. Salary at the new place grows in proportion to the time and experience you gain. After six months (a year at most) you can already qualify for a higher position and salary.

Now to the pros

You can use your professional skills and life experience that young employees don't have.

When you start a new career at age 30, you have more skills for growth than twenty-year-old university graduates. Experience will help you advance faster. Many recruiters value maturity, experience and wisdom that lead to long-term stability. It often takes less time to learn a new profession than it does to acquire the skills to work diligently, organize your time properly, and communicate with colleagues and associates.

Your track record can tell an employer that you are loyal and reliable.

Only the young professional can tell you about himself. For a worker with experience, his track record, references from supervisors, project portfolios speak for him.

For example, you have worked at the same place for ten years. So your main qualities are stability and reliability. You are consistent in your development and committed to the company.

And if in the same ten years you have changed jobs four times - you are dynamic and purposeful. You have consciously pursued your goal, acquiring experience and skills in different companies, forming your own achievements. Your previous positions and jobs will tell the new employer exactly what kind of knowledge you possess.

Experience in your professional field can be useful in new tasks

Any professional skill can be useful in a new job.

For example, you have worked as an engineering systems designer. So, you are familiar with the conditions of strict standards and constantly increasing complexity of projects. Your brain is used to thinking - that also comes with experience.

You have worked as an accountant for many years - so you have an analytical mind, you are able to process large amounts of information and you are not afraid of multitasking.

When your intuition hints that it makes sense to do something else - perhaps it is worth listening to her.

Don't be afraid of change. Leaving years of experience behind and starting from scratch is not a failure. It's never too late to master a profession that will bring in more than just a steady income. And 30 is the perfect age to start a new career.

How to choose the right career path if you have already decided on a career change

Your present job doesn't make you happier and you are sure you are capable of more? Are you ready to change your profession, but don't know what direction to take? Will it be a fundamental career change, or do you want to develop in a related field?

If you can't decide for yourself what you would like to do, in which area you will achieve the best results and find use for your talents, it makes sense to contact a career consultant.