How to Make a Career Change at 40: Tips to Successfully Pivot

Many people view their 20s as a time to figure out what they want to do, frequently changing jobs and professional paths. By their 30s, they may become less comfortable with the idea of switching directions. And as they reach their 40s, some feel trapped in their career path—thinking a career change at 40 might be “too late.”

But is 40 too old to start a new career? Absolutely not. Can you change your career at 40 (and be successful at it)? Absolutely.

Just because you’ve invested time on a certain career path doesn’t mean you have to—or even should—stay on it forever. If you’re not fulfilled, happy, or working on something that excites and suits you, making a career change at 40 (and beyond!) is totally doable—and often the best move you can make, both personally and professionally.

So, how to make a career change at 40 and thrive? Here's everything you need to know.

1. Manage your mindset

The first (and arguably most important) step to making a successful career pivot at this stage of life is believing that you can build a new career at 40.

Thinking that you can't will sow doubts about your ability to succeed—a self-fulfilling prophecy that makes switching careers, navigating a job search, and finding a career path all the more difficult. Instead, believe you can start fresh. Because the only answer to “what career is best for a 45-year-old woman?” is “whatever career she wants.”

Work on your mindset. Build confidence. Invest in personal growth. Tell yourself every day that there are plenty of careers to start at 40—and you’re capable of transitioning to any field you want. Own your age—and look at it as an asset in your career pivot rather than a hindrance.

“There's no need to apologize for being 40-plus,” says Niki Yarnot, licensed social worker, career coach, and head of career assessment at Wanderlust Careers. “You have a unique advantage over younger candidates; more experience not just in work, but in life, communications, partnerships, problem-solving, and other areas.”

2. Think about what you want

The next mindset shift requires getting crystal clear on what you want from that career change.

If you’re unhappy in your current industry and try to switch careers without figuring out what's not working in your current path, there’s a high likelihood that you’ll find yourself in a similar position one, five, or 10 years down the road.

“Take the time to analyze what it is about your current that you like and dislike,” says Fintan Collier, author of Change Careers Without a Pay Cut: Eighteen Tools to Unlock your Professional Purpose.

For example, maybe you’re sick of working nights and weekends and want a job with less pressure and more work-life balance. Once you know what you want—and don’t want—in your next career, use that information to bring more intentionality to your job search.

“Don't randomly apply and see what sticks,” Yarnot says. “Be intentional about your choice of new career path.”

3. Brainstorm new applications for your existing skill set

A career pivot doesn’t mean you have to start from square one—even if you’re pivoting to a completely new role or industry. After all, you’ve developed plenty of skills in your 40+ years. 

“Look carefully at your skill sets and experience—and identify how they are transferable to the new area you want to move into,” Yarnot says. (Here are 51 transferable skills you can't afford to leave out of your resume.)

For example, let’s say you’re a real estate agent. In your job, you’re responsible for managing the entire process of buying and/or selling a home, which can be pretty complex—and those organizational and management skills could be transferable to a project manager role. 

Or maybe you’ve spent the past decade working in customer service. You could take the skills you’ve developed in dealing with customers and apply it to another role—like being an executive assistant (which requires you to be a good problem-solver) or a sales manager (which requires solid communication and people skills).

The point is, you already have plenty of strengths. In order to make a career change at 40, you’ll need to take stock of those skills—and figure out how to use them in a new, different way.

4. Get training when needed

You might not have all the skills needed to pivot—and that's OK. If there’s a gap between your current skill set and what's required for your dream career, take steps to fill it. Get the training you need.

For example, if you’re concerned about making a career change at 40 without a degree, you might consider going back to school. Or maybe you want to get into the tech space, but aren’t familiar with the different software necessary to land a job—in which case you could take a specialized course or class to get your tech skills up to speed.

You could also look for opportunities to develop new skills in your current role—and then use those new qualifications as a jumping off point to landing your new role.

“Start today by acquiring the additional skills you need to secure your dream job while in your current role,” Collier says. “This could be with online courses or cross-functional projects.”

5. Look for opportunities to show off your skills

When switching to a new career, gaining relevant experience is key. One of the best things you can do to support your transition is to find opportunities to work on projects, add value, and show off your skills in a way that aligns with your desired new field.

For example, let’s say you want to pivot to graphic design. You could offer to do part-time design work for a local charity or nonprofit. This will help you develop your skills and build a portfolio to share with hiring managers when you feel ready to apply for a GD role.

You can, once again, also gain experience in your current role by volunteering for projects outside your usual scope. For example, if you’re an administrative assistant wanting to pivot to marketing, you could offer to support the marketing team on an upcoming campaign. Then, when you apply for a marketing role, you can highlight your experience with that campaign.

The point is, the more work you do that aligns with your desired career, the better positioned you will be to land the job—so take advantage of any opportunity to gain experience.

6. Network, network, network

Successfully changing careers at 40 is easier if you already get a foot in the door—and knowing the right person can help you get there. That's why networking is so important.

There are a few different ways to network that can help you pivot, including:

• Go to industry networking events. Make sure to go to events where you’re likely to meet those “right” people, like industry conferences or job fairs. Talk to as many people as possible. They can help unlock opportunities—whether that’s at a company you’d love to work for or an industry or field you’d like to get into.

• Network with people that have the job you want. People who are already in the career that you want can provide invaluable insights about the job and how to get into the field. For example, you might ask friends and family if they know anyone that’s currently working in your target role or industry. Then, see if you can take them out for coffee to ask a few questions.

• Connect with a career coach. Having a career coach in your network can be really helpful, especially when you’re navigating a career change at 40. They can help you figure out what career you want and make a plan for how to get there. In some cases, they may even have connections that can help you get that foot in the door. If you choose this route, do your research and find a career coach with experience, credentials, and positive reviews. You can even look for a coach that specializes in career transitions!