Major career change can be the best thing you ever did or a devastating setback. By asking these 5 questions first, you can manage the transition from one career to a new career, improve your resume and job interview readiness.

1. 5 hard questions to ask first
Dan Armishaw, MBA
MidlifeCareerist.com

2. “No matter how far
you have gone on a
wrong road, turn
back.”
Turkish Proverb

3. Let’s get that clear

4. • Requires extensive training
• Work history not an asset
• Ideal temperament may differ
• Significant resistance from family,
friends
Major Career Change:

5. Bob, training to
become an
accountant after 20
years as a truck
driver
Here’s a Major Career Change:
Images courtesy of jannoon028 (Left) and Bill
Longshaw (above) / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

6. Alice, training to
become a real
estate agent after
20 years as a travel
agent in same city
And here’s a Moderate Career Change:
Images courtesy of luigi diamanti (Left) and
Stuart Miles (above) / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

7. Alice Bob
Career Change Travel Agent to Real
Estate Agent
Truck Driver to
Accountant
Transferable skills Significant Limited
Work environment Similar Dissimilar
PersonalAdjustments
Required
Moderate Extensive
Why is Bob’s Change Major?

8. 1.What is the real demand?
2.What do people in this career actually do?
3.What are the real barriers facing you?
4.What will the competition be for you?
5.Will you do what it takes to be
remarkable?
5 Important Questions for both:

10. Ask hard questions:
• What positions are usually offered graduates of this
college/university program?
• To the top/middle/bottom third of the class?
• What salaries do these positions typically offer?
• How many of each type are typically available in Bob’s
geographic area each year?
Don’t over rely on answers from anyone with a
vested interest in your decision!
What is the real demand for Bob?

11. • Much entry-level accounting work is tedious.
• Other concerns: working in a cubicle for long hours,
limited autonomy.
• Job shadowing feels awkward but provides reliable
information.
• Bob needs to ask: Can I thrive here?
If Bob is leaving truck driving reluctantly, can
accounting be a good fit? Employers will wonder, too.
What Do Accountants Actually Do?

12. What’s Bob’s New Competition?
Employers will visit
campus and
compare Bob to
students with
identical training.
Where will he rank
on employers’ key
criteria?
What actions can
he take now to
rank higher then?
Image courtesy of Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

13. • How will employers view Bob apart from grades?
• He needs reliable answers now.
• Bob can’t change his age or remove 20 years of
truck driving from his resume.
• Bob can initiate “Remarkable” projects for his
resume.
What Real Barriers Face Bob?

14. • Will Bob:
• Take the Proactive option, face the
awkwardness of change and ignore
pushback from family and friends, or
• Take the Passive option, wait until
graduation and hope “They” will take care
of whatever preparation is needed.
So is Bob Willing to Recreate Himself?

15. Bob will present himself credibly as an
accounting candidate.
Bob’s resume and interview will improve his
ranking significantly .
Research now will pay off later

17. • How competitive is the local real estate market?
• Undersupply/oversupply of agents
• What firms dominate the market?
• Characteristics of the housing market?
• Turnover, demand/availability
Alice may value her relationships with her existing
clients, but are they buying or selling homes?
What’s the real demand for Real Estate Agents?

18. Will Alice accept:
• Inconvenient hours?
• Varying income?
• Intense competition?
• Attention to detail?
What Do Real Estate Agents Do?
Images courtesy of artur84 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

19. • Can Alice build relationships and earn the trust of
prospective clients?
• Can she manage her time and perform all the tasks that
are required?
• Can she build on her closing skills or other weaknesses?
• Does she have the financial resources to meet her
personal needs while she builds her business?
What Real Barriers Face Alice?

20. What’s Alice’s New Competition?
Alice will compete
more for listings than
to be hired.
There are already
many established
agents in an
aggressively
competitive industry.
Image courtesy of stockimages / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

21. • Alice’s transition could be manageable
• Self-employment may be a more significant
challenge
• Family/friends support may erode if success is
delayed
• New agents can be unwilling or unable to deliver
what is required for success, so turnover is high
Is AliceWilling to Compete?

22. Alice can prepare in
advance by
upgrading her
marketing skills,
begin part time or
reduce living
expenses.
Payoff for Alice’s Research
Image courtesy of criminalatt / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

23. • Don’t assume
someone else will
make sure you are
ready
• Don’t just trust it will
all work out
• Do your own research
• Do many information
interviews for reliable
local and specific
information
• Do accept discouraging
and encouraging
information
Major Career Change Do’s and Don’ts

24. Visit the website today
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Changing Career?
MidlifeCareerist.com
Dan Armishaw MBA