How to Make a Career Change at 50
Making a career change at 50 is becoming increasingly common.
According to a 2024 survey by Indeed, nearly 49% of workers over 45 have made at least one major career change, and that number is growing each year. The reasons are clear - the idea of a “job for life” has disappeared, AI and automation are reshaping industries, redundancy rates are rising, and people are realising that it’s okay to evolve and pursue something more meaningful.
But just because midlife changes are more frequent doesn’t mean they are easy.
It is often a time filled with uncertainty - with confusion about direction, loss of motivation, burnout, and even anxiety or depression.
The good news? Most people do make it through successfully. You can too. A report by the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that professionals in their 50s often report higher career satisfaction after switching roles than they did earlier in life.
Here’s how to make your midlife career change at 50 as successful and smooth as possible.
Make a Career Change at 50 - Clarify What’s Not Working
Before rushing in, be clear about why you need to make a change, and what you want from it.
This may feel like taking a step back, but it’s essential. Without clarity, your next move can easily repeat the same frustrations. Or, you will find the journey to your next career much harder - because you are not 100% sure if you are doing the right thing.
Ask yourself:
Am I feeling undervalued?
Do I lack purpose or meaning at work?
Am I craving more challenge or stimulation?
Are my personal values in conflict with those of the company?
Understanding these “pain points” provides a foundation of self-awareness that fuels confidence and better decisions.
👉 Related article: Not Motivated to Work: Midlife Solutions
Self Discovery: The Foundation for a Successful Career Change at 50
Once you’ve identified what’s not working, it’s time for deeper self-discovery.
Are you really clear on who you are right now, or what a fulfilling career should be based around?
Ask yourself:
What strengths do I love using most?
What activities make me lose track of time?
What are my most important values and non-negotiables?
What does my “ideal workday” look like?
This isn’t about fantasy - or going travelling to “find yourself” - it’s about clarity.
Sometimes, this process reveals that your current role can be reshaped to fit you better. Other times, it confirms that it’s time for a bigger transition.
Either way, you’ll gain insight into what a fulfilling next chapter looks like and how to get there.
👉 You may also enjoy: Career transition coach: Are they worth it?
Before Making a Career Change - Identify What’s Holding You Back
There is one more foundational step you need to take.
Many people assume that the biggest barriers to changing careers are practical - skills, experience, qualifications, or financial needs.
But the reality is the most challenging barriers are often internal:
Low confidence or self-belief
Fears of failure or judgement
Procrastination
Feeling trapped by responsibilities or the expectations of others
These emotional blocks are powerful but not permanent. Once you name them, you can begin to work on them - often with the help of a coach or mentor.
The key is to separate what’s unrealistic and a fantasy from what’s just uncomfortable and out of your comfort zone.
Identify and Assess Your Options
With your clarity and confidence building, it’s now time to explore possibilities.
This can feel scary and overwhelming. But you have done much of the hard work already. This stage of the process is not nearly as hard as you might think.
First, spend some time dreaming and brainstorming about all the possibilities - even ones that seem unrealistic. Then narrow your list to 5-10 possibilities and assess each by asking:
Which options align with my natural strengths?
Which roles genuinely excite me?
Have others successfully made this switch before?
What practical steps (training, networking, financial planning) are required?
You can also group the options into a small, medium and large change. And then see which group is calling you towards it. This will tell you how much of a change you are really looking for.
You might also group your options by degree of change:
Small change: same industry, new company or role.
Medium change: related field using existing skills differently.
Large change: new field or reinvention based on passion or purpose.
Sometimes it helps to have external perspective - a coach or trusted peer - to challenge assumptions and highlight blind spots.
👉 Explore more: Career Change Advice: Does it Pay to Be Bold?
Making the Transition: From Planning to Action
Once you’ve decided which path to pursue, focus on designing your transition strategy.
Consider:
Gradual transition: for example, staying in your current role part-time while exploring the new path.
Retraining: investing in short courses or certifications to bridge skill gaps.
Portfolio career: combining multiple income streams or roles for variety and security.
Speak to people who’ve made similar shifts. Conduct low-cost experiments - volunteering, freelancing, or side projects - to test ideas before committing fully.
Support is critical. Surround yourself with people who encourage your growth. If your current circle is sceptical, find new voices who believe in your potential.
Your Career Change at 50: A New Beginning
Making a career change at 50 isn’t about starting over - it’s about building on everything you’ve learned so far.
You bring decades of experience, resilience, and emotional intelligence that younger professionals don’t yet have.
If you take the time to get clear on what matters, face your internal barriers, and take small, consistent action, your next chapter can be your most fulfilling yet.
Ready to explore what’s next?
Book a free Discovery Call to gain clarity, confidence, and a clear plan for your career change at 50.
Author: Tim Storrie
-------------- About the Author: Tim Storrie
I'm an ICF-accredited career coach with an Oxbridge education, an MBA and a corporate background.
Drawing from my own mid-life experience of burnout and transition to a more fulfilling career - I help men over 40 with symptoms of burnout, and who are feeling lost and frustrated, to find a career that excites them by gaining clarity and confidence.
My coaching approach is both nurturing and challenging, and combines a structured, exercise-based approach with a focus on getting to the underlying heart of the matter.
Would you like to understand how career coaching can help you get clarity on a more fulfilling future?
Book a free Discovery Call at: https://www.timstorriecoaching.com/contact-me