BB Fact Sheet – Money - Changing Careers

The Basics

• For most of us, the days of a ‘job for life’ were really already over. Employment is now far more uncertain, and everyone is most likely having to change roles with their employers.

• Changing careers can often be a very daunting process, but it can also give you a breath of fresh air in trying something completely new.

• Very often further education will be required or the need to acquire a collection of new skills.

• Seeing what skills you can transfer to your new career often makes this process a lot easier, as it means you don't have to start directly from square one.

Baby Boomers and Changing Careers

• Many Baby Boomers have had a selection of careers or jobs rather than one solid path, which makes it easier to change your career, as it means that you have a variety of skills that can be used in a selection of professions.

• Being close to 50 or beyond is no longer a period of winding down to retirement. Some people say 50 is the new 30. Whatever, it’s never too late to try something new. This could just be the beginning of a new adventure in your life.

How to Change your Career

• Make a list of the tasks that you like (A) and dislike (B), and see what careers have the most of column A, and the least of column B.

• Note your current skills to see which ones you can take to your next career, as this will help determine if you need further education in order to complete your goal.

• Check what possible further education you would require, and if it can be used in your current job, apply to your current company to see if they would assist you in this goal – if it is beneficial to your current employer, it may cost less!

• Realise that you might have to change salary levels, locations, and workloads in order to get into a new field, as not every job has the same requirements.

• Research the positions you'd like to move into by going to career-expos. These give you a chance to talk to the people within the careers, and see if they would be right for you.

Career Development Association of Australia - 1800 222 390

Australia - http://www.workplace.gov.au/workplace/Individual/Jobseeker/Careers/CareerJobSearchTips/

              - http://www.workplace.gov.au/workplace/Individual/CareerJobSearchTips/Changingcareers

Multicultural information:

Centrelink LOTE       -  http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/Languages/index.htm

Indigenous Australians:

Workplace Relations -  http://www.workplace.gov.au/workplace/Individual/IndigenousAustralians/

Career Counselling  - http://www.cdaa.org.au/

                                - http://www.cdaa.org.au/emtysearch

Disclaimer: The information contained in this section should not be used for individual financial advice. Please seek independent financial advice if you have concerns or specific questions relating to your money.

This article was created by Jennifer Lawrance for babyboomers.com.au - Australia's website for Baby Boomers. Sources include ASIC and the Federal Government. Babyboomers.com.au is an online resource to help people find information and services on health, money, travel and recreation