"People in the 40 years have nowhere to take." What should not be afraid when you change work

1. I leave something in that has invested so much effort

To change the work it is necessary to rethink their professional identity and to abandon what is familiar and secure. Naturally, it's scary. It seems to make a step back and thrown to the wind the years spent on skills development.

When you cover this fear, remind yourself that the alternative is not particularly rosy. Staying on the old paper which has ceased to bring satisfaction, you will constantly feel miserable. In this state, it is unlikely to work well and can prevent serious mistake. And even if it does not, you will have the feeling that grow nowhere else.

"I always saw my friends at work there is an opportunity for growth, - said Michael Westphal (Michele Westfahl), a nurse with 16 years of experience that went into recruiting. - Someone passed to senior positions, some continued their studies to improve their skills. But I felt that it was not for me. In his office I have grown as much as possible, and achieved all that is possible. "

If every day you feel that the work is no longer enough, and want to quit, remind yourself that you stop the fear. Slowly start to do something to change their lives, and it will pass.

2. I have to start from scratch

"The hardest thing was to leave it, in what has become an expert, and once again become a novice" - says Westphal. Of course, you will have a lot to learn: to learn new technologies, adapt to unusual requirements to operate according to other standards. But do not forget about the skills that you already have. They will help, even if you go in a completely different realm.

Chances are, you already know how to communicate with people, plan your day, agree. You might even be able to bring their old customers and to offer them new services or zavedet useful contacts with them. All this will facilitate the transition.

If you feel that you are missing some skills that develop them. Find online courses, video tutorials or blogs on the desired topic and learn. This will increase confidence, and change work will not be so scary.

3. Nobody will take a person to work at my age

The labor market is really there is a perception that the elderly are not as energetic candidates, are not able to think flexibly and do not understand the technology. Therefore, it is important to you to present yourself in finding a job.

First, determine what skills you have wide application and how they are useful at the new location. Secondly, think about their experiences - are very valuable, even if at first glance it seems that it does not apply in the new field.

For example, Westphal believes that the long medical practice helped her go from activity to recruiting nurses. "At the interview, I was honest and said that learning quickly and is very resistant, - she says. - and the manager saw that I was really a reliable employee, because I worked in the same department 16 years. "

self-employed professionals want to find someone who will do a good job. Show that you have to do necessary skills and valuable experience. Focus on what your indirect path in this field of activity - an advantage, not a disadvantage.

4. I can not afford it

Scared to give up a stable salary, especially when you depends not only on her. For example, if you need to feed their families or pay the mortgage.

To overcome this fear, make a clear plan.

• How much time are you willing to try myself in a new field?
• As you will realize that things are going well?
• What will you do if does not work out?
• How long you can live without working on the accumulated funds?

Answer these questions before making irrevocable decisions. And be patient. You may need some time to stay in the same place to create a financial safety cushion. Or combine the old with the new responsibilities of undertaking. Be prepared for the fact that it may take several months.

5. And then suddenly I'll be sorry

Mistakes are inevitable in his career. Perhaps the choice of a new field of activity would also be erroneous. But this does not mean you have to put on a cross. Perhaps it is this failure It will lead to what you are looking for.

In addition, it will take time to figure out the correct whether the decision you have made. Do not hurry. Of course, if you feel that a new area is strictly not suitable, change something. But more often it is better to wait. At the beginning of any career path all hard and uncomfortable. Give yourself get used to, so you do not regret the opportunity that you have missed only because of the fact that she seemed too daunting.

6. What if I was not much of an expert

During the first months in the new position, you will be sure to make mistakes and feel at ease. You will feel that our colleagues speak a different language and they can not keep up. Remind yourself that even though you many not know you already have experience. Gradually will join in a new culture, will be dismantled in the responsibilities and learn the jargon.

"Trying to understand how my colleagues say, and they want to hear from me, they looked like a stay in a foreign country - Westphal remembers the first meeting of the new job. - it is very important for me to be familiar with your business and not make mistakes. The first few months I just watched the others. A year later, everything changed completely. Now I feel confident at meetings. I was very reserved, shy person. Now I have a completely different - and I like it. "

Remember that the skills, knowledge and experience gained before, have value and help you. With this approach, while adapting to the new location will not be terrible.