How to Change Careers After 40

Changing careers after the age of 40 is tough, especially if you have been performing the same work or have been with the same company for a long time. The job market has changed since the last time you had to look for work. Welcome to a new age in job hunting. The days of popping into an establishment, filling out an application, meeting with the manager and getting hired are long gone. Many businesses no longer use paper applications, solely requiring the use of online applications. The average hiring process now requires multiple interviews and background and credit checks, taking about a month to be hired. Many of the skills that were once desired are now obsolete.

It's Not as Bad of a Time as You Think
A long stint in your last career may have hurt your value as a modern-day employee by allowing you to get by without learning necessary new skills. Even though there are more applicants applying for jobs that are less available, the current economy does offer an advantage for changing careers after 40. Since unemployment is at such a high rate, you are able to collect unemployment benefits for over a year, giving you a source of income while you go to school or teach yourself a modern skill.

An Old Dog Can Learn New Tricks
You don't need to work towards a degree; just learn the basics. Just to apply for most jobs, you need to know how to use the Internet. Computer knowledge is a prerequisite to job training. If you do not know how to use a computer, the employer will see you as non-trainable. If you are not already tech-savvy, enroll in computer classes. No matter what kind of job you want, knowing about computers is a must-have requirement. Don't think that smaller companies don't use computers. Since digital data is more cost effective than written data, computer knowledge is even important when working for a small business. Learning how to use basic word processing software will position you for fast employment from a temp agency. Once you are familiar with these programs, learning more skills will be simple, since the layout is much the same with most computer programs.

You Are Who You Have Been
There are less jobs right now, but as long as the employer feels you can be trained to complete the job, the determining factor that will set you ahead of the pack is your loyal history with your last job. Low-quality employees cost businesses money. This is why the hiring process has been bloated to multiple interviews as well as background and credit checks. Having a stable work record makes you the safe hire, and in these uncertain times, the safe hire is more valuable than ever.

Sources:
Elizabeth Wasserman , "Tech Talk: Moving Business Applications Online," INC. Technology
Lou Adler, "Identifying and Recruiting Achievers," ERE
"Recruiting in the Internet Age," All Business