I am 35. Is that too old to change careers?

Question

I have already changed my career three times and I feel like such a flake. I have made some poor choices in the past in terms of career moves and I wonder not only if I am too old, but also if my track record of changing careers will count against me.

Don't get me wrong, I have excelled at every job I have ever had, even awarded at several. I have even worked in several different types of jobs in several different countries but I have never been particularly happy at any of the jobs I have had. Even as of today, I feel like I just want a regular job that makes a lot of money so I can simply pay my bills and take care of my family. Not very altruistic but I am just being honest. What is a confused,middle aged man to do?

I would especially like to hear from human resource people and decision makers at companies that make these kind of decisions daily. Thanks.

Answer 1

Colonel Sanders was an old man when he founded KFC.

Answer 2

Change Careers At 35

Answer 3

How Old Is Too Old
Myth #1: I'm too old to make a career change.

Reality: Without changing your perception of what you are capable of, you'll never make a successful career change. Unfortunately, while younger workers are often expected to explore different career paths, older workers are not encouraged to do so. And if you've progressed up the corporate ladder to an enviable position, friends and family may be shocked you would consider leaving success for uncharted waters. With this much pressure to stay put, it can be easy to allow your dream job to remain only a dream. As Harkness explains, some serious soul-searching is needed to understand how and why you want your career to change, so you'll have the conviction to stand up to others' disapproval.

Myth #2: If I make a career change, I'll be starting over at the bottom.

Reality: Not necessarily. You're not the newbie you were when you entered the workforce. You've gained an impressive array of skills, plus you have professional wisdom and perspective acquired only through time. The key to bypassing entry-level status is to market these assets in your next interview. The skills that made you successful may be transferable to your dream job. Believing and convincing yourself, and your interviewer, of this puts you leagues -- and salary grades -- ahead of younger competition.

If you are ready to take the professional plunge into a new career? Go for it with these words of caution:

Keep your expectations realistic: If you've been fantasizing that your dream job will be the antidote to your personal and professional troubles, you may be glorifying what a new career can really do. Research the economic outlook and job duties for your new career, and how it will affect your lifestyle and relationships.
Give it time: Deciding to venture into a new career can mean changes in your work environment, coworkers, income and how you view yourself. Even if your new position is something you've always wanted to do, all these changes can be a shock. Before calling it quits, allow enough time to let the dust settle and adjust to your new profession.
Know yourself: Most people don't know what they're good at, but midlife is a good time to figure this out. You have a history of professional and personal experience to draw from when determining your natural strengths. Think about what you truly enjoy doing, what you do well and what you are proud of. Is there an underlying theme unifying these experiences that lends itself to a job description?

Answer 4

You are not a flake nor are you too old. In fact, a studies shows that a person will make a career change as many as 7 times before they retire. The reason they do is basically because they want a regular job that makes a lot of money so they can simply pay their bills and take care of their families with a job that is found rewarding. It is realistic to do this? Absolutely as long as the change is a step up, and to be truthful would not be recommended after age 40 because you need to be working towards retirement by that time. Some actually retire, go to college, graduate, and start the process over again. Taking classes to improve or make the change a person is needing in the area they will be changing to. You never want to do this without being fully prepared or you will end up dissatisfied with a job that is not as rewarding as the one you left.

Answer 5

You have lots of positive answers. What seems like an issue here is the perception of you versus what you really feel. First of all, 35 is NOT old! And it's not middle aged. Middle age is not until much later. At least these days :) And about changing careers, with today's globalized economy, it's a major asset to have worked in different countries and in different fields. Things are merging and it's really important to have had experience in different places and to have some perception and insight into various forms of doing things. SO.. if you're worried about justifying your chanes on your resume or in an interview, just write a summary/profile at the top of your resume connecting all your different jobs with a very steady and purposeful string (ANYTHING can be tied to another.. if you were a shoemaker turned banker talk about the economy of shoe-making and how that sparked your interets in banking or if you were a French teacher truned computer scientist, then you love languages and see the computer as a major source of language and communication...) if anything, you can insert a lot of passion and depth into your resume and into your interviews. If you are posting your resume, make sure you have a lot of buzz/keywords as they are being scanned via words versus a person sifting through them all. Do NOT be apologetic in the slightest for your changes. Be almost cocky! it's wonderful to be fearless, flexible, and adaptable. You're Darwin's dream and you should be proud! You'll survive in the jungle! :)

Answer 6

Hey Umokay,

This is some of what i have done. Nuclear subcontractor administrator,oil refinery construction sub contractor superintendent, nuclear construction superintendent, cable advertising sales, manager, regional manager, general manger, hotel night manager, stocker, night cashier, guarded chickens at chicken plant, made boxes at box plant, nationals natural gas sales. land man, car sales, and a bunch of other stuff. I enjoy building stuff that will be around a long time and doing dangerous work where my crews worked late at night when no on ewas around and no one wanted the job and I love sales and people most of the tie and I have always been honest. In tv sales if ratings came out up I would cut my customers frequency.

It's what you want to do. You may not be happy and want something else. In nuclear stuff carter was going to sub the industry.

Can you make it again. What we look for is an asset that is a team player and independant. If you like what you do stay, if not move on. I done a ton of different things and if contracts or government had not gotten involved I would still be there. OUt of high school I worked with a shoe company and was about to get my own store in Fort Walton beach Florida, can ou imagine, but went ot college and worked mroe jobs, I would have prob been a buyer.

I don't know your expertise and thus cannot advise you, but suggest several head hunters that are regional. take care. Grass is not always greener nad today anything can happen.

Answer 7

Not at all. Although I am not a HR manager, I was involved in a lot of hiring decision making processes. I am a few years older than you and I have changed my career several times. To me, it is better to find the right career than to suffer. Besides, you can be 50 and still don't know exactly what you want. I think it is absolutely all right to look for the right career. Money is important. But job recruiters will tell you people money is not the top 5 reasons why people change jobs or career. Job satisfaction is the number one factor.

So be honest to yourself. Your family will support you.

Answer 8

You are kidding right? I am over sixty I have young wife and two small children (6 & 7 years old), and grandchildren of the same age as my children.

Your problem is not your age. Your problem is that you are asking somebody else to evaluate you, to put a price on you like some king of an aged piece of Alberta Grain Fed beef. That is also exactly the same reason why you are asking for a job (Just Over Broke) that will only pay your bills. What kind of happy life is that when there is no security in jobs? How long will you be able to keep your standard of living after you get fired? Six months, a year? Are you debt free?

And your track record of changing careers will count against you!!? Man, if you could see my track record, you would not hire me to wash the floors according to your twisted standards. I'll bet you anything that with my track record I will get hired over most guys of your age anytime. But who wants some lousy job anyways?

You know my friend, the only sure way to get out of the hole is to stop digging.

Answer 9

Depends on what you want to change to. 35 is not to old to change careers to just about anything but, you will probably take a hit in pay. Depending how removed your next position is from your past experiences will determine where you start on the "totem pole". Plus there is a learning curve or in other word, "paying your dues".
Honestly, if you have a family, you must take into consideration their needs before yours (IMO) or you will end up making them suffer for your unhappiness. Most people hate their jobs, making a good amount of money offsets this because you can afford to supplement your happiness with security and diversions. My advise would be to consider your entire situation before jumping ship and moving to another career path; family being the primary consideration, happiness being secondary.

Answer 10

Nope, not too old.
Your resume will tell all, as well as your references. The most improtant thing in life is to be happy, if you aren't, then everything and eveyone around you will be affected. Find a job that makes you feel satisfied.
Age is only a number! It's all about how you market yourself and confidence.
It sounds like you have a lot going for you.....keep on going!!
p.s. I'm 35

good luck

Answer 11

I totally understand where you are coming from because I too have changed careers many times until I realized that I will never make the money I want to make if I work for someone else. I left my corporate job 5 years ago to pursue my passion and I never looked back.

I can see how you would be stressed because you want to provide for your family, and feel guilty for not doing what you think they expect from you. Trust me, you are your own worst enemy.

Just ask yourself this; What is your dream job?

Everyone has a passion and something they are good at. You should find yours because at this stage of the game, you need to do something you enjoy, or you will just get caught in the cycle. Don't settle for something you won't like because you just won't stay. That patience you had in your 20's was motivated by money. Now you just want to be happy.

One idea is, if you don't have a degree, you might consider getting one online. Find something you really like.

Another idea is, you might want to look into working for yourself. Whatever your passion is, you can do it and get paid for it.

Lastly, be honest with yourself on what it is you want to do. You sound like you are a jack of all trades but in business, it's better to focus on one thing, one strength, and give it all you've got.

Just find yours and good luck!