Looking to make a career change at 30? This is how to make it a success!

For some, 30 is a magical age by which they have everything figured out — the corner office, the salary, the house, and the family of their dreams. But what if you discover that the career you had planned isn’t right for you? You may think, “Can I really change my career at 30?” But with a little reflection, you’ll see that 30 isn’t too late to start over, and you can find a career that you love.

In this article, we’ll discuss the challenges of starting a new career at 30, including:

• Is it worth changing careers at 30?

• Signs you’re ready for a new career

• The best way to switch careers at 30

The value of changing your career at 30

It used to be that you found a job and stayed there for your entire career, come rain or come shine. The modern employee, however, has become much more willing to move on to move up — and if they're unhappy in their career, many are willing to make a career change to make that happen.

By the time you’re 30, you’ve probably spent almost 10 years in your current career. What if you’re not happy anymore and lack a sense of fulfillment? Maybe there’s something else you always wanted to do, or you’ve seen others make a big change and you’re thinking that you can, too.

The important thing to remember is that it’s not too late. Think about it — you probably spend around one-third of your life at work. And you probably have 35+ years of career ahead of you. Is it worth it to stay in a career that no longer suits you?

Signs you’re ready for a career change

Still unsure whether you want to make a change at 30? Consider the following:

• You’re feeling bored or unmotivated in your job

• Your job is having a negative effect on your health and well-being

• You’re not making the salary you want

• You dream about another career

Don’t panic and think you’re too old. It can be challenging, but at 30 you still have time to find something you want to do for the remainder of your professional life (or at least for the next decade!).

Questions and concerns

You might have some concerns about starting over at 30. That’s perfectly normal. Changing careers is a big deal, but not impossible. Consider the following common misconceptions

• I’ll have to get another degree and it will take forever. Not true. There are a myriad of online courses and certifications that can help you gain new skills, and you'll save a ton of money over going to a college or university. Most online courses can be done on your own time and while you're still employed.

• I don’t have experience in my new field. No one will hire me. Again, this is a myth. Hiring managers look for all sorts of things in a potential employee. Your past job experience, as well as the hard and soft skills you’ve developed, can make you an ideal choice. Just make sure to dust off your networking skills to connect with new contacts and get your foot in the door.

• I’ll have to start at the bottom. Just because you’re changing careers doesn’t mean your experience is worthless. Leadership or management skills, along with industry knowledge, are transferrable and can increase your chances of obtaining a lateral move.

30 is actually a good time for a career change.

Think about it — if you’re looking to make a career change, 30 is the ideal age. You have some life experience under your belt, and the career you wanted in college may no longer be interesting or important to you. Shifting your career to something you love, while not always easy, will most likely be worth it in the long run.

There are several reasons why 30 is the right time to make a career change:

• You’ll probably have fewer responsibilities and obligations at 30 than you will at 40+.

• Expenses are also much lower for people around the age of 30 than for older populations, as housing, food, and other cost of living categories increase as you get older.

• New industries or opportunities have developed, so there are jobs out there that didn’t exist even 10 years ago, and they require unique skill sets, abilities, and experiences. At 30, you’ve most likely developed these and you’re not too set in your ways to change.

• You’re simply ready to pursue your passion. By 30, you’ve built some experience, contacts, and knowledge, and probably feel more secure taking a risk.

While you can make a career change at any age (and many people do), 30 is the “sweet spot” for it, when you have fewer years under your belt but enough experience to feel confident in your choices.

How to change careers at 30

If you’ve decided that you need a career change, take a moment to reflect. You need to do some preparation before you jump in with both feet — don’t quit your current job until you’re ready, though. Having a clear set of goals and a workable, realistic plan will increase your chances of success:

1. Take a look at your current job, and note what you like and dislike about it, and why you chose it in the first place. This will help ensure you don't land a similar job in the future.

2. Decide what you want to do. If you don’t have a specific job in mind, consider doing a career or personality assessment (such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator), which will help you analyze your personality, talents, values, and interests. This will help you narrow down your list of potential careers.

3. Network! See if you know anyone working in your desired field, and ask if you can "bend their ear." This will help you gain a complete picture of how you might fit into that particular industry.

4. Do your research. You might need more training or education. But closely examine the job to make sure it’s actually needed before you make a change. Look at companies you’re interested in working for or do a job search and see if any of your skills are transferable.

5. Get the education you need. If your new career path requires additional training or degrees, adjust your plan to take into account the time, effort, and financial investment involved.

6. Update your resume to align with your new career aspirations, including prior experience, transferable skills, and any relevant soft skills. And you’ll also want a cover letter that you can tailor for each job you apply for.

7. Begin the job search. It will take time and you want to make sure to utilize all your resources, including networking events, job platforms, and social media.

You only have one life to live, and you deserve the career of your dreams. You won’t be the first person to change careers at 30, and you won’t be the last. Take the steps necessary to follow your passion and get the career you want. It’s your move.

Key takeaways

1. At 30, many workers are much more willing to change careers if they’re unhappy or unfulfilled.

2. You won’t necessarily have to start at the bottom. Many employers value experience, even if it’s in a different industry.

3. Have a plan before you make a career change, including your goals and educational needs.