Changing jobs at 40? Possibilities and opportunities

Life is constantly changing - and sometimes this also means that you are no longer as happy in your job as you once were. That's perfectly normal, because life should continue to develop over the 40 to 50 years until retirement. Whether it's directly after training, in the middle of your career or even shortly before retirement - there are many reasons to change careers at any age! When the right time is right depends solely on you and your personal life situation. The usual reasons are often cited, such as more salary, more time or simply the desire for a change. It is now just as normal to change jobs for health reasons: constant physical strain and stress at work affect your health at this time and can also have serious consequences in old age. There are also countless reasons why you might want to change jobs. And it doesn't matter whether you want to take the children to school without stress or finally get a dog!  

Whatever your reason for thinking about changing jobs at 40, you're not alone! Once the decision has been made, you, like many others before you, will make the important step. In this article, we'll show you what options are open to you and how you can successfully implement your job change step by step.

Your options for restarting

Whether you are 20, 40 or 65 years old - there are always many options open to you! Above all, you can now benefit from the experience you have gained in your life and in your previous job.
Basically, you always have the following options for a new career start:

Training or retraining: 

There is no age limit for an apprenticeship. If you are ready to start all over again, a new apprenticeship may be the right way to go. You can make a completely new start in a different professional field that suits your circumstances and interests right now. You have very good opportunities, as there are many apprenticeship vacancies in a wide variety of fields every year. Whether in the healthcare sector, skilled trades or a completely different direction - you can choose freely according to your interests - a very simple example: your garden is your passion - then perhaps training as a landscape gardener is for you!

Further training: 

If you want to stay in your current or similar professional field but still want to develop personally, further training for a job change at 40 can be the key to success. Further training offers you the opportunity to enhance your existing skills or acquire completely new skills that are in demand in your desired profession. What is particularly practical is that many further training courses can be completed alongside your job, so you can continue your training flexibly without having to sacrifice your salary and job security. 

Digital skills, project management and presentation methods are always very popular areas. There are also many courses that teach leadership and communication skills, for example, which can also help you in other professions. Admittedly, not every further training course is relevant to your professional field and career. It is best to find out in general what further training opportunities are now available in your profession. The range on offer is constantly adapting to the latest developments. 

Are you an electrician or are you interested in this industry? Take a look at our article on further training opportunities for electricians, for example.

Career changers: 

Many professions offer the opportunity to start out as a career changer, even without formal training. This is a particularly good option if you want to gain new experience in one or more areas. For example, as a care assistant , you can get to know the work in retirement homes, hospitals or other healthcare facilities without starting a formal apprenticeship or retraining. There are often offers where you can work as a temporary helper on an hourly basis and gain an insight into the profession. You can also find more inspiration in our article on well-paid jobs for career changers if you want to secure a good salary at the same time.

How do I successfully change careers at the age of 40?

A successful job change requires good preparation and a lot of inner motivation. Here are some tips that can help you:

• Self-reflection and motivation to change jobs: Think carefully about what you are looking for in a new job. What didn't you like about your old job and what would you like to do differently in the future? Maybe it's the colleagues, the work itself or the place where you do the work?
• Find out about the possible new profession: Gather as much information as possible about the professional field you would like to change to. What qualifications are in demand? What is the job market like? Do you have friends or acquaintances who can share their experiences with you? 
• Use existing options: Whether it's further training opportunities, support from friends and family or advice centers - use your personal options! 
• Build a network: Contacts are incredibly important no matter what point you're at in your career. When it comes to finding a new job, they can also make the process a lot easier. Network with people who work in your desired profession.
• Adapt your application documents: Once the decision has been made, it's all about making your job change as successful as possible. The first step is to create an up-to-date CV. To make your job search as successful and quick as possible, we highly recommend that you write a cover letter as a career changer. In it, you can introduce yourself, explain your motivation for a job change at 40 in more detail and show why you are ideally suited to the new position.

Find jobs on WorkerHero

Changing jobs at 40 can be exciting and challenging, but with the right support, anything is possible. WorkerHero is the ideal platform to find your dream job - regardless of your age or previous experience. Whether you're looking for a lateral move into a new industry or want to find a new job in your current field, you'll find a wide range of job opportunities on WorkerHero.

Even if you are new to Germany, WorkerHero can help you find your way into the German job market. Take a look at the job vacancies for truck drivers in Germany if you are looking for a practical, well-paid job.