There comes a time in almost everyone’s life when they feel like a change. Sometimes that means moving to a new home. Sometimes that means taking up a new hobby. And sometimes that means starting a new career. People’s circumstances can change over time, as well as their goals, aspirations, and interests. But sometimes the thought of trying something new, changing up a routine to which you’ve become accustomed, can be intimidating. As people reach their 40s, some worry that they may have waited too long to make a drastic change in their careers. But here’s some good news: Many business experts say it’s never too late for a change.
Peak Performance and Perks
The modern business world has changed noticeably since the mid-20th century. At one time, it was common for people to stay with one company for the entirety of their careers, working their way up the corporate ladder, before eventually retiring after several decades of work with the same business. But that is seldom the case these days. Most people hold more than one job in their time as an active member of the workforce, and age isn’t a limiting factor in this. One study shows that 21% of employees in the U.S. from ages 40-49 consider a career change. Making a career change at 40 can actually be to your benefit.
By age 40, most people have been in the workforce for 20 years or more. Through this time holding one or more jobs, you’ve acquired considerable work experience. Even if you’re considering a new career in a different industry or field, general business experience provides a lot of transferrable skills that are useful in many lines of work.
Starting a new career at 40 can also be a good choice based on your remaining time in the work force. The average age of retirement is a person’s mid 60s, so a career change at 40 means you’ll still have roughly 25 years or more before you reach what most people consider to be retirement age. This means companies you want to join aren’t likely to see you as a short-term investment.
Finally, starting a new career, whatever your age, can prove beneficial to your physical and mental health. If you’re dissatisfied with your current job, particularly if you find it stressful, then starting a new career may be just what you need to find a rewarding occupation that doesn’t push you beyond what your comfortable tackling.
More On Your Plate
Making a career change at 40 isn’t a bad idea. However, it’s a decision that shouldn’t be made lightly. A career change at any age has its challenges, and as you’re approaching middle age, you tend to have more responsibilities to consider. If you have a spouse, you need to make sure they’re part of the decision-making process, as your career change may affect their life too. This goes double for children if you have any, or other dependent family members, like elderly relatives. You may also have additional expenses by age 40, like a mortgage, putting aside money for your children’s education, medical bills, etc.
Outside of your personal life, when considering the best careers to start at 40, remember that you’ll need to make sure to obtain any specialized education or training necessary, making some careers more challenging to start than others.
Lessons Learned
As you consider your options for a new career, make sure to think about the skills you’ve picked up during your time in the workforce. Different jobs help you learn different things, but a lot of skills can be carried from one job to the next.
Critical thinking and problem-solving are two skills that will help you with a variety of occupations. A new job can require you to think of detailed, specific solutions for any number of situations that may come up, like handling a special request from a client or dealing with a sudden change in deadline. Adaptability and teamwork are also important for any job that involves collaboration with others and handling multiple responsibilities. It pays to be able to think on your feet and know who to turn to. Finally, attention to detail and management experience are great skills to have going into a new job. Companies want workers who are ready to take the lead on a task or project and who can be thorough about whatever task they’re given.
The Right Career for You
When considering a career change at 40, you’re probably thinking about a job a bit higher up than entry level positions like a cashier. You should be sure to research the careers you’re interested in and know their requirements. You should also be certain about your reason for wanting to change careers and be willing to experiment with new lines of work.
If you’re an ambitious self-starter who’s searching for a new job to have more control over your career and be your own boss, you might be ready to own and operate a business of your own. Starting your own business is an ambitious next step for anyone and can be daunting if it’s your first time in any kind of supervisory or administrative role. Even those with experience as administrators or supervisors may be intimidated by the thought of having no immediate supervisor to turn to for advice or guidance. However, there’s a solution to this: franchising.
Becoming a franchise owner is a great way to start a business while ensuring you get the training and support you need, and your 40s is a great time to get into franchise ownership. Study shows that 63% of franchise owners in the U.S. are 40 and older, while the average age of a franchise owner is 44. A person’s 40s and 50s are considered a good time for business ownership because of the skills and experience they have in the workforce, the self-confidence many of them possess to be a business owner, and the capital and credit history they’ve built up over time to help fund starting a business.
Start in A New Field with GrassRoots Turf
GrassRoots Turf may be just the company you’re looking for in a career change at 40. We’re a family-owned lawn treatment service franchise with a unique monthly billing model that ensures our franchisees have a steady cash flow. We also offer exclusive franchise territories based on populations in specific markets. We’re seeking franchise partners with a drive to succeed, the ability to follow a proven business model, strong sales, customer service, time management skills, high personal standards, and an ability to meet our initial investment requirements. As a franchisee, we’ll provide you with operations support, marketing and sales services, management tools, purchasing power, and initial, on-site, and refresher training. Our training programs cover such subjects as marketing, sales, operations, management, leadership, and industry-specific knowledge. Visit our website for franchisee testimonials and to request more information today!
