Whatever you decide, keep an open mind, do a little research and get startedIf you’re one of thousands who dread Monday mornings, having to go to work with nothing to look forward to until Friday, a full 5 days/120 hours/7,200 minutes away, then perhaps it’s time to consider a mid-career switch.
Before you embark on this and effectively jump off a cliff without a parachute, you need to work out an exit strategy. List all your skills and experience, then tick those which are transferable, such as leadership skills, managerial expertise, problem-solving abilities, negotiating skills, counselling skills (which may be already present if you’re a parent), policy development, and so on. You may surprise yourself and end up with a longer list than you first expect. Even social networking is a skill.
Bearing in mind that you would expect a similar level of pay and you’re not aiming to go from being a sales manager to becoming a brain surgeon overnight, let’s look at some realistic alternatives available.
Fundraiser
Charities, educational institutions and hospitals are always in need of money to survive. If you are a people-person, always plugging into your social networks with thousands of followers and friends, you might just fit snugly into the job as a salaried fundraiser. Statistically, as a successful fundraiser with 3 years experience into the job, you could be looking at a salary close to £50,000 per annum. The skill of leading a team, setting and meeting targets, using communication skills to apply for grants and developing corporate donors would all be assets transferable to this new career.
Human resources
All large successful corporations require the right employees, with the right work related policies and procedures to support them. How often have we seen unhappy staff going on strike and as a result, effecting huge revenue losses to their employers? As HR personnel, your role is vital in ensuring that this never happens. A leader in this field would expect an annual salary above £50,000. Skills required for this job are an interest in keeping up with labour laws, government policies and regulations, an ability to keep channels open between opposing parties (e.g. management and their staff) and strong organisational skills.
Market research analyst
Are you an analytical person, able to write detailed and concise reports? Then consider becoming a Market research analyst. With your unerring attention to detail, you could even strengthen your personal business skills when applying your skills of matching products and services of a company to their intended clients.
Sales recruitment consultant
This assumes that you have had years of experience in sales. Taking a sideways career switch, you could join an employment agency as a recruitment consultant to assist your portfolio of clients with recruitment of sales staff. Who would be better placed than you to recognise what kind of person is required in that sales job?
Software engineer
With the ever-increasing dependence on the internet and IT, a career switch to become a software engineer is future-proof. If you’re not already into coding or writing digital security programmes, courses are offered online to help you achieve your dream job-switch. Imagine fighting cyber criminals and developing apps to help a world-leader in telecommunications technology. How cool is that?
Whatever you decide, keep an open mind, do a little research and get started.
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