How do I find a new career at 40?

The realization that you need to make a shift in your line of work might be a turning moment that prompts you to reevaluate your work-life balance, pursue your true passion, or just try something else. If you want to be successful at the age of 40 and beyond, one of the most enjoyable ways to do it is to choose the appropriate professional path that fits in with your expertise and interests. This article might assist you in identifying prospective positions and explaining how to make the transfer if you are contemplating making a career shift beyond the age of 40.

The following jobs are good options for those in their 40s who are looking to switch careers. Simply clicking on the following links will take you to the most recent wage information that Indeed has to offer:

1. Medical administrative assistant

The national average pay is now sitting at $34,735 per year.

Primary responsibilities An administrative assistant in the medical industry may alternatively be called as a medical secretary or a health care administration assistant. Because this person will mostly be responsible for administrative and customer service responsibilities rather than clinical work, it is essential that they be effective, well-organized, and professional. They are accountable for making appointments, managing medical reports, developing medical charts, and handling billing responsibilities.

Because of the usage of specialist language, having a background in medicine is beneficial for this position; nevertheless, someone who is organized and has the ability to manage their time would also be a good fit for this position. You will often just need a high school diploma to qualify for entry-level positions, but there are vocational courses you may take to obtain skills that are relevant to the work.

2. Event planner

Annual salary at or around the national average: $40,509

Primary responsibilities: If you like interacting with people and are very good at managing your time and being organized, a career in event organizing can be the perfect fit for you. Your application will be strengthened by having a degree or other credentials in hospitality, public relations, or any other subject that is similar to this one; but, they are not often required.

In addition to managing budgets and staff, event planners are typically responsible for negotiating contracts and securing sponsorships. In the field of event planning, individuals who have prior experience managing client and supplier relationships, as well as those who are adept at effectively juggling several tasks, will be at an advantage. Those who are also able to establish their professional networks will also have an edge.

3. Patient care technician

A yearly salary of $43,562 is considered to be the national average.

Primary responsibilities: If you are interested in working in the medical field in a hands-on capacity, then becoming a patient care technician is the ideal career path for you. Patient care technicians play an important part in providing front-line treatment in a number of medical settings. Patient care technicians provide assistance to registered nurses and physicians during patient exams and treatment, as well as collect samples, document information on patients' medical records, and communicate with patients and patients' families on treatment plans.

There are many different patient care technician professions, and the most of them do not need any prior experience. However, there is room for professional advancement for anybody who is interested in acquiring suitable certifications. This is a choice that offers a lot of work satisfaction, and it's worth thinking about if you've been thinking about switching careers because you want a position where you can give something back.

4. Translator

An annual salary of $45,732 is considered to be the national average.

Primary Responsibilities If you are fluent in more than one language, a job as a translator might be an extremely adaptable option for you to consider. Deciphering the meaning of anything written in one language, such as English, and transferring the concepts and facts into another language are the major responsibilities of a translator. An interpreter has a profession that is similar to that of a translator, but their duty is to translate verbal communication. They often act as a facilitator for both sides of a discussion while simultaneously keeping the tone and message that is being communicated between two parties.

Businesses operating in a diverse range of sectors and countries all over the world make use of translation services, which in turn creates a vast range of potential prospects. To become a translator, you need to be completely fluent in each of the languages that you want to translate. A translator would benefit greatly from having cultural understanding, a specialized degree or credential, and whatever language experience they could get their hands on.

5. SEO expert

An annual salary of $52,028 is considered to be the national average.

Primary responsibilities: The technique of enhancing a website's search results in major search engines via the use of smart coding and content curation is referred to as search engine optimization (SEO). Because it has evolved into such an important marketing strategy, changing careers to become an SEO professional may not be as challenging as you would think if you already have experience in the fields of marketing or website design.

There are no established degree programs in digital marketing since search engine optimization is a sector that is always undergoing change. It is essential that individuals participate in on-the-job training, webinars, digital marketing certifications, and online training courses in order to stay up with the constantly shifting alterations made to search engine algorithms.

6. Dental assistant

Annual compensation averaging $60,464 on a national scale

Primary responsibilities: If you have an associate's degree or a high school diploma, you may begin working as an entry-level dental assistant. In this capacity, you will interact with patients, set up the necessary instruments and supplies for dental operations, and provide assistance with X-rays.

When it comes to patients, keeping their medical records current and scheduling visits, there is a substantial amount of basic administrative labor involved. There is, in fact, a well-defined professional path available in dentistry, and dental assistants often engage in a training program in order to get certified in the processes and skills necessary to help with dental treatments, X-rays, and patient assessments.

7. Manager of human resource operations

An annual salary of $69,310 is considered to be the national average.

A human resources manager's primary responsibilities include managing all of the many components of the employee life cycle, including hiring, onboarding, administering benefits, and terminating employees. Other primary responsibilities include recruiting new employees. They ensure that the company's rules and workers' legal duties are adhered to in the capacity of acting as a liaison between senior management and the workforce.

Even though having a degree in human resources is typically required, there are a large number of classes that can be taken online that will also prepare you for a career in HR. If you have previous experience in administration or in leading a group of people, then it's likely that you already possess some of the most crucial abilities necessary for a career in human resources (HR).

8. Web developer

The national average wage is now set at $74,960 per year.

Web developers are primarily responsible for the creation of websites, with an emphasis on both their aesthetic and their operational qualities. This calls for a healthy mix of creative and technical talents on your part. If you have expertise in graphic design, you might add to your current knowledge by going into web development, which would both increase your career prospects and add to the value of what you already know.

The field of web development is a flexible one, offering employment opportunities in-house, at agencies, as a freelancer, or on contracts with a set duration.

9. Project manager

The national average pay comes in at $77,643 annually.

Primary Responsibilities: When it comes to this position, experience is sometimes valued more highly than credentials. Because project managers are responsible for monitoring and organizing all areas of a project, they must possess exceptional abilities in time management, communication, and cost management. Additionally, they must have previous experience managing projects.

In spite of the fact that having a degree in business administration or marketing may enhance your application, having past experience working in office management or in any job in which you were responsible for a number of company operations will show many of the necessary abilities. As a result of the fact that there are project managers in practically every sector of the economy, this is a line of work that may lead you in almost any path you choose.

How to Make a Change in Your Career

It is possible that you may need to continue to improve your talents regardless of the line of work that you choose. This might be enrolling in traditional courses in order to get a new certificate, enrolling in an online vocational school, or just doing research into the new field that you wish to break into.

After the age of 40, the following are the fundamental stages for changing careers:

Consider the sort of profession you would want to have, and then establish a specific objective for yourself.

Do some research on the industry to find positions that interest you.

Find out what kinds of credentials are required of you and how you might get them.

Acquire any and all certifications that are required.

Create a network of professionals in your field.

Create a fresh résumé that reflects your new professional aspirations.

Put in applications for employment within your new industry.

Investigate online degree options if you are required to maintain your current full-time employment prior to making a shift in your professional trajectory. While you are still employed, you may earn a number of different qualifications. Creating a professional contact network in the industry that you want to enter might make the transfer more manageable.

In order to get the necessary credentials for some jobs, a greater time commitment may be necessary. Investing some time and effort into obtaining new credentials might significantly boost your job chances and open the door to an entirely new line of work when you're in your forties.

There are a plethora of tools available to assist you in achieving success in your new job, regardless of whether you want to make use of the abilities you already possess or if you will need to acquire new ones.