How to Execute a Career Change at 40

By the age of 40, you will imagine that a career professional will be settled and thriving in their chosen career path. However, for some, there is a desire for a career change at 40, probably for one or more reasons. More professionals across Africa and beyond are realising that staying stuck in an unfulfilling career carries its own cost.

This post examines the possibility of a successful career change at 40, how to choose the right new career path, ways to acquire new skills for a mid-life career change without going back to school full-time and more.

Is It Too Late to Change Careers at 40?

It is absolutely not too late to change careers at 40; in fact, it is a common and often successful transition. With decades of work left, professionals in their 40s leverage accumulated experience, emotional intelligence, and skills to pivot into more fulfilling roles, often finding increased purpose, better work-life balance, and renewed energy.

In a nutshell, at 40:

• You have a better understanding of what you actually want and what you are good at.
• Employers value the maturity, reliability, and professional experience of older workers.
• You have over 20 years for growth and fulfilment in a new field. 

Assessing Your Transferable Skills

At this stage of your working life, you should have acquired key transferable or soft skills that can move with you into a new career. Transferable skills are essential because most remote roles are built on similar foundations. These skills reduce the distance between your current role and your next one, allowing you to transition without starting from zero.

Communication, organisation, data analysis, time management, attention to detail, decision-making, adaptability and problem-solving are not industry-specific. When employers hire career changers, they are often betting more on these capabilities rather than just technical knowledge.

Choosing the Right New Career Path

Choosing the right new career path involves a structured approach of self-assessment, research, and planning. Key steps include identifying personal skills, interests, and values, exploring industry trends, salary expectations, and gaining practical experience through networking or volunteering. Balancing passion with practical needs ensures long-term fulfilment. 

Instead of asking only, “What do I love?” consider some other questions as well, such as:

• What problems can my current skills solve?
• What new skills can I realistically build in 6–12 months?
• Which roles offer flexibility, income stability, or remote options?

Reskilling Without Going Back to School Full-Time

One of the biggest fears around a midlife career change is the idea of returning to school for years. Fortunately, that’s no longer mandatory. While a degree can be of immense help, today, you can reskill through:

• Online certifications
• Short bootcamps
• Industry training programs
• Employer-sponsored learning
• Free platforms like Coursera, Google, and LinkedIn Learning

Focus on skills that have greater hiring potential. A few months of targeted training are often enough to change into a new field.

How to Rebrand Your CV and LinkedIn Profile

Your CV and LinkedIn profile must tell a new story; not just list your old jobs. Instead of listing responsibilities, focus on:

• Achievements and outcomes
• Skills that align with your new target role
• Keywords used in job descriptions for your desired field

For example, instead of stopping at:

“I was an operations manager for 15 years.”

Mention your job title and say:

“Motivated operations manager that led teams, managed budgets, analyzed data, and improved customer engagement by 25%.”

You can clearly see that the second option has more effect in terms of what you already bring to the table.

An efficient CV builder can help restructure your CV to match modern applicant tracking systems and new career paths.

Managing Fear, Finances, and Expectations

Fear is not unusual during a mid-life career change. The key is to transition gradually:

• Build a financial buffer before transitioning
• Learn new skills while still employed
• Test your new career through freelancing or part-time work
• Network before you quit
• Set realistic timelines; change doesn’t happen overnight

It’s also important to have modest expectations. Your first role in a new field may not match your previous job (eg, in terms of income or seniority), but with perseverance, it can still lead to faster growth and long-term satisfaction.

Success Stories of Career Changers at 40+

Harvey Nagle – From Family Business to Franchise Owner

Harvey spent 25 years in the family meat-packing business before deciding at 42 to buy and run a restaurant franchise. His move illustrates how midlife professionals can leverage business experience into entrepreneurship when their first career no longer feels right.

Mary Lou Quinlan – Corporate Executive to Entrepreneur

On her 45th birthday, Mary Lou pivoted from being a CEO in advertising to launching her own marketing and branding consultancy. By building a business that combined her passion for communication and experience with female audiences, she created work that aligned with her interests and strengths.

John Tarnoff – Entertainment to Career Coach

John spent decades in the entertainment industry before his career stalled in his 50s. He pursued a new degree and re-entered the workforce focused on career counselling, eventually leading show development and leadership training at a major animation company. His example shows that even well-established professionals can reinvent their trajectory later in life.

Justin Pines – Law to Media Leadership

At 40, Justin shifted from corporate law into roles that better reflected his values, including rabbinical work and education, before becoming CEO of a national media organisation. His transition highlights how finding better alignment between work and purpose can evolve over time.

Conclusion

A career change at 40 is not about starting from zero. It’s about upgrading your life using everything you already know and adding some new knowledge as well. Do not be discouraged because opting for a midlife career change can lead to better pay, better work-life balance, and a renewed sense of purpose. With the right strategy, training, and mindset, your second career can be your best one yet.