What makes women want to change careers at 50? Where do I start? Speaking as a woman in my 50s who spent decades in corporate, I know that feeling of slogging your guts out only to realise there’s more to life than that handsome pay packet and a couple of nice holidays a year. Of course, financial security is important, but work-life balance can be hard to come by if you’re married to your work.

Your 50s are often a pivotal time as you deal with life changes like the menopause, empty nesting, divorce, and caring for older parents. So, if you’re considering a new career path at 50 or over, it’s not only understandable but very possible for you to make it happen.

In this blog, I’ll be exploring what to consider before you make a career change, and giving you some inspiration if you’re unsure which path to take next in life.

Joanne Cornish - coach for midlife women contemplating a career change - sitting at a table writing in a notebook

Should you really leave a successful career you’ve worked hard to build up?

Understandably, you’ll have some reservations about walking out of a career you’ve spent decades building up to get to the point you’re at today.

But – dare I say it? – if you’ve found yourself here, you’re likely fantasising about a different kind of lifestyle than the one you currently find yourself living.

Plus, the experience and skillset you’ve developed over the years is never wasted. In fact, it could be the springboard to open up a new career trajectory for you at this stage in your life.

Questions to ask yourself before a career change at 50

So, before taking the leap to start a new career at 50, it’s a good idea to ask yourself a series of questions to bring some clarity to what may feel right now like cluttered chaos in your mind.

What are your values?

A pivot might turn out to be pretty pointless unless it aligns with your true values and purpose in life. 

So, ask yourself: what do I value most in life? 

In the process of planning to leave my corporate career behind me, I did this exercise and realised freedom is one of my key values in life. Therefore, my desired career had to allow me that breathing space and flexibility in life.

What are your personal values?

What’s your financial situation?

If you change careers late in life, you need to have an honest look at your finances and decide what your bottom line is. 

Does your new job need to be financially driven? Will you need to earn a certain amount to get by, or are you in a position to take a pay cut in favour of a different kind of lifestyle?

Be really honest with yourself about what’s possible right now, and what could be possible if you take a year or so to work towards your new role or life.

What transferable skills do you have?

Many of the women I work with are preparing to embark on a career or launch a business in an industry they have very little experience in.

However, that’s not to say they can’t do it – it’s a matter of evaluating your transferable skills and experience and applying them to a new focus. 

Of course, you may still need to undergo education and training to develop new skills and expertise along the way, but you might surprise yourself with how much you’ve already got going for you in your new field.  

What’s your ideal week? 

What would the perfect week look like to you? What time would you get up? Where would you live? What would the working day look like? 

Whether you’re yearning for long morning walks on the beach or you’d like to work in the mornings and spend your afternoons catching up with friends, it’s important to know what you’re working towards.

Mapping out your ideal life helps us to work backwards and decide what steps are needed to get you there. 

pink notebook and pen on a table with a latte

Employers are wising up to the benefits of employing over 50s

Did you know the employment rate for people aged 50 to 64 years was 71.3% in 2023, compared to 57.2% back in 1995?

It’s a myth that people don’t want to hire older workers. In fact, being a 50+ woman puts you in a unique position to help companies that are struggling to close the skills gap.

In today’s candidate-driven job market, many employers are struggling to find people with the right skills, attitude, and personality.

You don’t need me to tell you what an asset you’d be to an employer. You have decades of experience, impressive skills, life experience and maturity to bring to the table.

Career change ideas for women in their 50s

Dreaming of escaping corporate but stuck on the small matter of what you’d actually do?

I’ve worked with plenty of women in your shoes and helped them organise their thoughts, uncover their passions, and strategise about the achievable steps they can take to move forward into the next phase of their life.

If you’re considering a career change but feel unsure about your job options, it’s worth deciding between your two main options.

Retrain in an area you’re passionate about

Ready to try something new?

Retraining in a new area is a fantastic way to regain your sense of purpose in life and put to use your years of life experience.

If you’re open to learning new things, the following career options might just get you thinking (or even nudge you to start applying):

  • Charity work
  • Retail
  • Teaching and education
  • Childcare
  • Counselling
  • Sales
  • Recruitment
  • Admin
  • Marketing

With some careful thought and planning, there are plenty of ways to find a meaningful career with a new employer in a completely different area using the considerable work experience you already have.

Plus, after decades of working you’ll probably relish the chance of embarking on a new training programme, learning new things, and using your brain in different ways as you do a complete career shift.

Start your own business 

If you’ve been employed all your life, the prospect of starting your own business may feel alien or extremely daunting, but I’m living proof it’s possible and highly liberating!

Did you know Arianna Huffington founded HuffPost when she was 55?

Not to mention the fact that statistically, a 50-year-old entrepreneur is almost twice as likely to start an extremely successful company than a 30-year-old.

In fact, 35% of UK businesses are started by people over 50 and the average age for a UK entrepreneur is 46 in the UK.

Of course, the sort of business you start depends on your interests, experience, and gaps in the market. 

Here are some business ideas:

  • Virtual assistant
  • Coach, mentor or consultant
  • Personal trainer
  • Driving instructor
  • Yoga instructor
  • Bookkeeper
  • Tutor
  • Freelance writer or photographer
  • Events organiser
  • Set up an Etsy shop for a passion project.

Running your own business allows you to take control of your schedule, often work from the comfort of your own home, and move away from that traditional 9-to-5 lifestyle into something that suits you better.

Advice and tips that can help you pivot

Starting your career at 50 might feel like a puzzle you’re unsure how to solve. However, I’m guessing you’re a woman who likes a challenge, so it’s simply a case of working out what the steps are to get where you want to be.

  • Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect everything you have to offer
  • Make sure your CV is relevant to your new career
  • Network in your chosen field – use your connections or find new ones
  • Seek out coaching or hire a mentor to provide tips and advice
  • Write a business plan or list of career goals
  • Speak to people who have already done it
  • Sign up for some free workshops and masterclasses in your new area
  • Read books and listen to podcasts to explore your options.

Get the support you need to start a new career at 50+

Joanne Cornish career change coach for women over 50, sitting at a table with a female client

I’m Joanne, a coach supporting women to discover what they truly want from life and how to get it. 

The idea of changing career at 50 may feel daunting and overwhelming, but I’m here to boost your confidence, help you explore new paths forward in life and empower you to discover a rewarding new career that brings you joy and fulfilment.

I’ll help you determine what you want from life, what your values and purpose are, and how you can use your extensive experience to choose a new career you love.

It’s never too late to start afresh – booking a free, zero pressure chat with me is a great place to start your journey.