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Anonymous

09/24/20 at 7:28PM UTC

Career

Mid-career change of path

My position was eliminated in the Spring due to loss of company sales (covid downsize). For the past 6 months I have been looking for a new position in my field, but not necessarily in the industry, while freelancing. This week I was offered two great positions. One is a step-up (Director to VP) in my current career path and industry with a well-known company. The other is the same title as I had, but in a different industry that is a little more stable, at a local company with better work-life balance. I am about half way through my career (40 years old) and if there was ever a time to make a change, it would be now. I am really excited about both opportunities even if the local one is less prestigious. Since I am 75% sure I am accepting the latter option above, my question is, if the new role does not work out and I want to go back to my old world, will a hiring manager/recruiter ever consider my 20 years of experience in my old industry or will they only see what I have done in the past 1-2 years for relevancy? Can you ever go back, and at a senior level, to a career you had taken a break from? Thank you!

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Kelley

306

Higher Education professional in Upstate NY

10/03/20 at 11:57AM UTC

You can absolutely go back to your previous type of work! Your previous 20 years will certainly be taken into account if you go in another direction and decide to come back. I think hiring managers understand that new opportunities come along and you may go for it and eventually realize that it’s not quite for you so you come back to the type of work you were previously doing. If anything, it may give piece of mind to the employer that you already understand the work and they could spend less time on your training—which is beneficial for the company.

Anonymous

10/02/20 at 12:06AM UTC

I am in a similar position. And while I am very grateful to be employed after losing a job, I am bored. I took a lesser position to rest after a very stressful career, but I am restless. I have applications out, but if I am honest with myself, I have no desire to be a Business or Systems Analyst. I used to do that as part of a career as a Tech Project Lead and as a developer. I majored in Criminology quite awhile ago, but it has always been a love of mine. My question, at 50, should I just suck it up for 17 more years or should I go back to school? College isn’t always worth what it used to be, and it is a lot of money. I also have an issue of having no clue what I now want to do. I have taken career quizzes but they don’t help. Does anyone have a suggestion for a place that will help you determine career #2? I want to find a place that I feel valued and where I am making a difference. Thanks!

Anonymous

09/28/20 at 12:19AM UTC

Give yourself the opportunity to try something new. You are adding to your experience and diversifying your background. Who knows, in a few years you may be on a position to level up there and the added feature of life balance is not something to take lightly as you consider the needs of your family in this moment in time. Enjoy!

Lynn Emenheiser-Lathberry

09/27/20 at 12:58PM UTC

I went from banking, to working for a nursery ,to working for a clam processing factory. All of these positions have been related as far as in the financial, numbers crunching aspect with each industry wildly different from the other. My takeaway is my future employers should see my flexibility and adaptiveness. I was 53 when I took this last position. I think I can go yet again to the next opportunity.

Carol McDaniel

Global Talent Acquisition Executive

09/27/20 at 12:50PM UTC

Absolutely! In fact diversifying your experience makes you all the more desirable as a candidate!

Trina Schneider

365

I help forge new markets and build brands

09/26/20 at 6:46PM UTC

Thank you to all that replied. It was reassuring to read that you have all made industry moves, and had equal success with those moves.

[email protected]

410

#girlboss #newlymintedceo

09/26/20 at 4:08PM UTC

You can absolutely go back. I recommend you keep up your network connections, regardless of the industry. I’m a firm believer in who you know! My husband worked in professional sports (communications), took a 5 year break while our kids were young, and then was recruited by another team at a VP level through his long term connections. I started in a new industry in my late 30’s when I was recruited by a former colleague. 10 years later, I became the CEO of that company. Best of luck to you!

Rhonda L. Carson

126

Cybersecurity Program Strategist

09/25/20 at 1:01PM UTC

Absolutely you can switch industries without issue. Within the past ten years I moved from Finance to Aerospace Manufacturing, then to Apparel Manufacturing and I am now back in Finance. I find that marketable skills is what matters. I have been out of cybersecurity for 3 years working in change management and compliance. Currently I am back in cyber security.

Alicia Mason

Retailer!

09/25/20 at 8:56AM UTC

I think it is clear you have answered your own question about what is the right decision for you now, and who knows where that may lead in the future. Transitioning back would absolutley be possible, just expect a learning curve again if that happens.

G. Susie Smith

Experienced Software Professional

09/24/20 at 10:28PM UTC

You can go back but be prepared to accept that your skillset may not be as current as it could be and you may have to scramble to get yourself up to speed with the latest trends and changes. It can be quite a shock to the system to find out how much as changed since you left but, then again, it may be just the motivation you needed to get back into the game.