Asking how to change career in 30s?

Feeling stuck in one's career and yearning for a change, but don’t know how?

This could be your chance to shift career if you are in your 30s.

At this point in a person’s life, transitioning careers is hard especially if there are people who depend on your income.

You will be caught in the middle whether you follow your dreams or obey your parents’ desire.

I know it’s hard to choose between two great things, but you will have to do it.

In this page, I’ll share this step-by-step guide explores the journey of switching careers in your 30s with valuable insights and practical tips to ensure a smooth transition.

Even if your boss will double your pay still you can choose to make the right career decision.

Are you ready to change your career?

Let’s go.

Understanding the need for career change in your 30s

You might wonder why do you need to change career?

Know when to change career here.

According to research, people change because of dissatisfaction, and desire for career growth.

Probably, you might change career if you are not happy with your current career. Let’s face it. Everything changes.

If you seem to be not enjoying with your job right now. Not enjoying because of the heavy workloads or maybe toxic people that surrounds you. Or maybe you are looking to fullfil your inner desire.

Transitioning to career is not an easy task.

You need to consider things like your family who depend on you, your passion, your worth or value as a person.

Ask yourself the following career decision making questions.

I am still happy with my career?

Will this help me achieve my goals?

However, it's never too late to make a change and pursue your passions.

Start by identifying your transferable skills and strengths. Consider taking courses or volunteering in your desired field to gain experience and make connections. Networking is also crucial in finding opportunities and learning about different industries.

Knowing those questions will help you make better decisions on how to change career in 30’s.

Still confused on how to change career in 30s?

Read my book and know how to change career in 30s. It’s a complete turnaround after making a wise decision.

No regrets.

Ready to change career paths?

Lets proceed to second tip.

Researching and exploring potential career options

Now that you have fixed your decisions on making career change, it’s time to explore potential career alternatives.

Of course, you need to gather information about different job roles and skills for each career opportunity. However, if you have an option in mind. Then go for it.

Go for your passion instead of profession.

You might wonder should I go for vocation or career?

Short answer is, vocation. But don’t get me wrong. Your vocation can be your long term career. 

What’s the difference between vocation and career? Read more.

On the other hand, if you do not have yet a career to choose, go to online forums and job boards and industry-specific forums. To easily transition to career, consider the skills you already possess and how they can be transferred to a new career domain.

For example, if you have excellent skill in data science, you may excel in roles that involve data analysis, data mining or data engineering. These skills are transferrable or can be applied to any field. Like me, I am a social scientist, but I have passion for data analysis, coding, and data mining. I honed these through various online degree programs. Then joined crash course and competitions to elevate my experience.

Though I am a social scientist, being a data scientist also is possible as long as you are interested in it. Its not hard then to transition career at 30s even at any age with transferrable skills.

Building a new network and seeking mentorship

In my previous article, change career can be done in 7 steps. One of it is to create your network.

It may take some time create your strong professional network. And this is essential when you transition careers in your 30s. Of course, it is expected that at this age you are still gaining some experience in your chosen field. So, you really need to have a network of professionals to help you.

What will happen if you change career, and you have no experience? That is why you need to know how to change career in 30s even if you do not have enough experience.

Gladly networking can help you.

Networking allows you to connect with individuals who can provide guidance, support, and even job opportunities. Attend industry events, join relevant professional organizations, and leverage social media platforms like LinkedIn to expand your network.

In addition to networking, seeking mentorship can be incredibly beneficial. A mentor can provide valuable advice, share their industry knowledge, and help you navigate the challenges of transitioning careers. Look for individuals who have successfully made a similar career change or who have expertise in your desired field.

Gaining relevant experience and skills through volunteering or side projects

Obviously employers need people that is an asset to them. Basically, as you transition to another career, you have to gain relevant experience and skills.   If you have none of this, you can take volunteering projects. Or an internship. This can be a good addition to your resume. It will also impress potential employers and see how dedicated you are with your chosen career.

Updating your resume and online presence

As you learn and dig deeper on how to change career in 30s, it's crucial to update your resume and online presence to reflect your new direction. Tailor your resume to highlight the transferable skills and experiences that make you a strong candidate for your desired role. Use action verbs and quantify your achievements wherever possible to make your resume stand out. Similarly, optimize your online presence, especially your LinkedIn profile. Update your profile to reflect your career change goals, and ensure it includes relevant keywords to improve your visibility to potential employers.

Navigating the job search process

Once you have updated your resume and online presence, it's time to navigate the job search process. Start by identifying companies and organizations that align with your career goals.

Leverage your network to uncover hidden job opportunities and seek referrals. Tailor your application materials to each position you apply for, highlighting the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the role.

During interviews, emphasize your transferable skills and demonstrate how they can be applied to the new role. Be prepared to answer questions about your career change and articulate your motivations for pursuing a new path. Show enthusiasm, adaptability, and a willingness to learn as you navigate the job search process.

Managing the emotional and financial aspects of career transition

Transitioning careers can be an emotional rollercoaster. It's normal to experience doubts, fears, and uncertainty during this time.

Consider emotion factor. This can be your family, wife, mentor, etc. I recall when I decided to change career in my 30s, my father is a bit sad because we have no more source of income. And during the period of making a difficult decision, we are on the brink of financial turmoil. Our house is foreclosure because of unpaid bank loans. Despite this hard experience in making decisions to change career, I still managed my emotions and focused on changing my career.

So, in changing career, evaluate your financial situation and create a budget that allows for a potential decrease in income during the transition period. Consider any additional training or education that may be necessary and budget for those expenses. Having a solid financial plan in place will give you peace of mind and allow you to focus on your career transition without unnecessary stress.

In my case, I did not evaluate my financial obligations and experience. I got still managed to change career without experience and having affected my income.

Learn more about this in my book.

Overcoming common challenges and roadblocks

As mentioned above, transitioning careers in your 30s may come with its fair share of challenges and roadblocks.

Be prepared to face all negative consequences as you embark on a journey you do not know. That’s when you make the hardest career decision making.  

While you are positive that you have the skills an employer need, you might still have perceived yourself lack experience in your new career path. To overcome these challenges, focus on highlighting your transferable skills and experiences. Emphasize your willingness to learn and adapt to new environments. Seek out opportunities to gain relevant experience through internships, freelancing, or side projects. Be persistent and proactive in your job search, utilizing your network and staying open to

Conclusion

Wow. That was a long read. Are you ready to transition your career at any age?

Transitioning to career at 30s is challenging but once you have clarity in your decision making, you will not anymore have doubts that you can successfully make career transition at your 30’s. 

References

Stephens, C. M. (2002). Considering a midlife career change. Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology, 36(1), 62–62. https://doi.org/10.2345/0899-8205(2002)36[62:CAMCC]2.0.CO;2

Osborn, D. S. (2014). Technology-savvy career counselling. Canadian Psychology, 55(4), 258–265. https://doi.org/10.1037/A0038160