How to Successfully Make a Career Change in Your 30s or 40s

If you’re in your 30s or 40s and thinking about changing careers, you might be wondering: Is it too late? Will employers take me seriously? Will I have to start over?

The good news: It’s not too late. In fact, career changes in midlife are normal.

A 2021 Indeed survey found that 49% of U.S. workers have made a major career shift, with most of those changes happening between the ages of 31 and 50. Many people in this stage of life realize they want work that aligns better with their skills, interests, or life goals—and employers are more open to career changers than ever before.

Let’s break down how to approach a career pivot in your 30s or 40s and how to make the most of your experience, even if you’re moving into something completely new.

Why Career Changes in Your 30s and 40s Are More Common Than You Think

Long gone are the days when people stayed in one company—or one field—for their entire careers. The modern job market rewards agility, continuous learning, and transferable skills more than it rewards linear resumes.

What the Data Shows:

• The average worker now holds around 12 jobs in their lifetime, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023).
• Over 60% of hiring managers say they value skills over degrees and prior job titles (Harvard Business Review, 2021).
• The rise of skills-based hiring is especially good news for career changers because it shifts the focus from “Where have you worked?” to “What can you do?”

Why It Makes Sense:

By your 30s and 40s, you’ve developed:

• Cross-functional skills like leadership, communication, and project management
• Professional maturity and self-awareness
• Clearer priorities about work-life balance, compensation, and company culture

Example: A marketing manager who wants to move into user experience (UX) design may not have formal UX experience—but they already understand audience behavior, customer journeys, and digital tools, which are highly transferable.

Step 1: Identify Your Transferable Skills

Career changes don’t mean starting from scratch. The key is identifying the skills you already have that can carry over into your next role.

Where to Look:

• Soft skills: Leadership, teamwork, time management, adaptability
• Industry-agnostic skills: Data analysis, budgeting, client management, training, operations
• Technical skills: CRM software, project management tools, social media platforms, Excel proficiency

How to Identify Them:

• Review job descriptions for your target role and highlight recurring skills.
• Compare your past roles to see where your experience overlaps with the new requirements.

Example:

Let’s say you’re moving from sales to human resources.

Transferable skills include:

• Relationship building
• Communication and persuasion
• Problem-solving
• Prospect sourcing
• Data tracking (sales metrics are similar to HR reporting)

Pro Tip: Use the O*NET Skills Search Tool from the U.S. Department of Labor to find careers that align with your current skills.

Step 2: Explore Roles That Align with Your Interests and Lifestyle

Making a career change isn’t just about finding any new job—it’s about finding the right job that fits your goals for this chapter of your life.

Questions to Clarify:

• What excites me about work? Is it creativity, helping people, solving problems, or building things?
• What do I need from a work environment? Fully remote, hybrid, in-office? Startups or large companies?
• What financial security do I need? Will a lateral move support your lifestyle, or is an initial pay cut acceptable if it leads to growth?

Why This Matters:

Job satisfaction isn’t just about the work itself—it’s about the context of that work, especially when you’re balancing family, health, and long-term goals in your 30s and 40s.

Example:

• From healthcare to tech: A nurse transitioning into health tech sales still uses medical expertise but gains a more flexible schedule.
• From teaching to corporate training: Teachers can pivot into instructional design or learning and development roles that offer higher salaries and remote options.

Pro Tip: Use informational interviews to learn what a day-to-day role actually looks like. Reach out to professionals in your target field to get honest insights.

Step 3: Upskill (But Be Strategic)

You may need to add new skills, but you probably don’t need to start with another four-year degree.

Where to Start:

• Online certifications: Google Career Certificates, HubSpot Academy, LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, edX, Udemy
• Bootcamps: Tech bootcamps like General Assembly, Flatiron School, or digital marketing intensives
• Professional associations: Many offer affordable, job-relevant workshops and courses
• On-the-job learning: Look for volunteer projects, freelancing, or part-time gigs in your target field

Example:

If you’re moving from operations into project management:

• A PMP certification (Project Management Professional) or Google Project Management Certificate can give you credibility.
• Volunteering to manage cross-functional projects in your current role can help you build relevant experience.

Why It Matters:

According to CareerBuilder’s 2022 Hiring Trends Report, 61% of hiring managers said they prioritize relevant certifications when considering career changers. Upskilling shows commitment, even if you’re coming from another industry.

Pro Tip: Before investing in a certification, verify whether it’s actually required for entry-level positions in your target field.

Step 4: Build Your Network (Even If You’re Changing Industries)

Your network is one of the fastest ways to uncover job leads—especially when you’re moving into a new field where you might not have traditional experience.

Where to Focus:

• LinkedIn: Follow thought leaders, join relevant groups, and engage with industry posts.
• Informational interviews: Ask for short conversations (15-20 minutes) with people working in your target roles.
• Alumni networks: Reach out to former classmates who may be in industries you’re exploring.
• Industry events: Many virtual conferences offer free or low-cost entry and are excellent for networking.

Why It Matters:

Zippia reports that up to 85% of jobs are filled through networking rather than online applications alone. Connections can help you bypass the “years of experience required” filter and get in front of hiring managers.

Example:

A retail manager looking to move into corporate operations might reach out to former vendors, head office contacts, or colleagues who made similar transitions.

Pro Tip: When networking, lead with curiosity—not with a direct ask for a job. Most people are happy to share advice when approached authentically.

Step 5: Tailor Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile for a Career Pivot

Your resume and online presence need to position you for the role you want, not just the job you’ve had.

Resume Tips:

• Lead with a career summary that focuses on transferable skills and goals for your next role.
• Highlight relevant experience first: If you’ve completed coursework, projects, or freelance work in your new field, make it prominent—even if it’s not your most recent job.
• Use industry keywords: Carefully review job descriptions and incorporate their language into your resume and LinkedIn profile.
  
   

LinkedIn Tips:

• Update your headline to reflect your career pivot. 
  • For example: "Project Coordinator | Skilled in Cross-Functional Team Leadership | Open to Remote Roles"
• Use the “About” section to briefly tell your story and explain your career shift.
• Activate the “Open to Work” setting to make your interest visible to recruiters.

Example:

If you’re shifting from teaching to corporate training:

• Resume summary: "Former educator transitioning to Learning & Development. Experienced in instructional design, team facilitation, and digital training platforms."

Pro Tip: Don’t hide your pivot. Employers appreciate honesty and clarity about why you’re making the change.

Final Thoughts

Making a career change in your 30s or 40s can feel overwhelming, but it’s not only doable—it’s increasingly common.

Employers today are focused on what you can bring to the table, not just whether you’ve done the exact job before. Your combination of experience, life perspective, and transferable skills is incredibly valuable.

Key Takeaways:

• Career changes in midlife are normal and often lead to more fulfilling work.
• Focus on transferable skills and invest in targeted upskilling when needed.
• Networking is essential—people hire people they trust.
• Tailor your resume and LinkedIn profile to highlight your new direction.

Remember: you’re not starting from scratch. You’re building something new on top of everything you’ve already achieved.