Change profession after 40 years: what is easiest to learn at this age

Work in retail chains

Large companies doing business in the trade sector are among the largest employers. Such enterprises constantly face personnel problems: finding decent and attentive people is more difficult than it seems. Even in small towns you can usually find work in shops and supermarkets in the following specialties:

• salespeople and cashiers;
• consultants;
• employees putting goods on display;
• goods receivers.

Career growth is possible: the best employees often become store managers or directors. The disadvantages are relatively low wages and monotonous work.

Important: when talking about trade, you don’t have to limit yourself to groceries and other everyday goods.
Working in a clothing or toy store pays no worse, but can be much more interesting.

Barista

The smell of coffee, the softness of the foam, the exotic music of the names of the varieties - some simply sip their morning coffee, while others enjoy the process, and if you are from a clan of coffee lovers, then try to put this passion at the service of your career interests.

Coffee has long been in fashion and is not going out of fashion yet.

Even a monkey can press the button on a coffee machine, but in order to become a barista, you need to really understand the types of coffee, be able to distinguish ristretto from espresso, know what consistency the foam on a latte should be and be able to draw all sorts of patterns on it, so touching guests of coffee shops.

Barista courses are often held under the auspices of large chain establishments, and the best students have a good chance of getting a job there.

The basic course lasts only two to three days, but a good barista will improve throughout his life.

Work with children

Figure 1. Working in children's clubs or playrooms often does not require specialized education

If you love children and easily find a common language with them, why not make it your job? In this case, age will not become a hindrance, and sometimes even provide an advantage over other candidates. It will not be possible to get a job in a school or kindergarten without specialized education, but there are a number of professions that do not require long training:

• nanny;
• children's media studio worker;
• teacher in a private children's club.

Don't forget about your previous work experience. Philologists and linguists can take up tutoring, and camera operators or musicians can work in children's media studios.

Psychologist's advice

If you decide to change your profession at 40-45-50 years old, listen to the advice of a psychologist.

1. Ask yourself again, are you ready to change everything? If yes, then move on to the next point.
2. If possible, start getting an education in a new profession while you are still working in your previous place.
3. At your age, failures are taken more seriously than in your youth. You must be prepared for the fact that not everything will work out right away. After all, getting a job after 40 can be problematic.
4. When you get a job, the salary will not be high at first. The beginning of a career is always the same, whether at 20 or 50.
5. You must be sure that if you fail, there is someone to support you financially. Or prepare for yourself a reserve of funds that will be enough for at least six months of looking for a job.
6. Ask family members for support. It is very important. Your family will not let you give up in moments of failure, which inevitably occur on the path to achievement.

Manager at a travel agency

An option for sociable people with travel experience. If you are ready to engage in sales and have a keen sense of customer needs, everything will work out. Specialized education in this field is rarely required, and the necessary knowledge and skills are acquired with experience. The work is office work, so it does not impose any special restrictions on health and physical abilities.

Figure 2. You can get a job with a travel agency at any age

An important requirement that most employers make is knowledge of English. However, you can find a place in a good company without being a polyglot. Not all positions require knowledge of English, so in vacancies this item is often indicated “for show.”

Choosing a new specialty

If you are going to change your profession at 40-50 years old, you are unlikely to consider options that require long training. For example, you will not study from scratch to become a doctor or lawyer, because it takes many years.

However, there are many professions for which you do not have to study for a long time. In this section we will talk about interesting options for women and men.

1. Food industry.

You can view vacancies here:

• cook;
• confectioner;
• dumpling maker;
• production of semi-finished products, etc.

Finding a job without experience is not difficult, although the salary will be lower. Not every place requires a specialized education. And in most cases, completing the courses and having a medical book will be enough.

Working as a cook or pastry chef is a good option for those who love to cook. As a rule, women are hired for such positions.

BY THE WAY! Men can try it too. Moreover, a man has a higher chance of rising through the ranks from an ordinary cook to a chef.

1. Security guard.

To become a security guard, you will need physical fitness and endurance. Most likely you will have to undergo training and pass an exam. You need to be prepared for the following:

• in many organizations, security guards are forced to stand on their feet for the entire shift;
• there are night shifts;
• often the schedule involves going out for a day;
• It is unlikely that you will be provided with a comfortable office; most likely you will have to work in a small room, a production or retail space, in a warehouse, in a car, or even on the street.

Think about whether this suits you and whether it’s worth changing your profession.

1. Beauty saloon.

There is a place for everyone in the beauty industry. There are always a lot of clients. Therefore, despite the abundance of companies in this area, they all receive their income.

There are a variety of vacancies:

• master of manicure, pedicure, nail extension;
• visagiste;
• hair removal specialist: for example, waxing, laser hair removal, sugaring.
• hairdresser, hair extensions;
• masseur.

IMPORTANT! In most cases, all you need is a great desire to work, good taste, and completion of courses.

Physical endurance is required for a massage therapist. If you have a medical education, this will be an advantage for a cosmetologist position.

1. Florist.

If you are interested in working with flowers, arranging bouquets and flower arrangements, then consider becoming a florist. Here are a few important points to be aware of:

• you will need a sense of style, art education is not necessary, but will be a plus;
• good fine motor skills to easily and quickly assemble compositions;
• you expect physical activity (buckets with flowers are quite heavy) and frequent contact of your hands with cold water;
• work in a cool room all year round.

If you haven't given up on the idea of ​​becoming a florist and getting a job in a salon, first take a short-term course. You may be employed immediately after completing the courses. Otherwise, pay attention to the “florist assistant” vacancies; no work experience is required here.

1. Work in supermarkets and hypermarkets.

These are companies that represent a huge number of jobs. In addition, they are always looking for new employees for various positions because there is a high turnover of personnel in this field.

Most popular vacancies:

• cashier;
• salesman;
• goods receiver;
• packer;
• scanner (product scanning);
• merchandiser.

If you want to change your profession at 40-45 years old, we recommend considering not only classic hypermarkets, but also chain stores with other products.

ADVICE! Selling clothing, home goods or children's products can be much more interesting than working with food.

1. Tourism manager.

As a rule, special education is not required here. However, computer knowledge at the level of a confident user is required.

The fact is that all applications and bookings are made via the Internet. Therefore, a travel agency employee must understand how to open a website, type text in a program, print it on paper, send an e-mail, etc.

The benefits will also be:

• knowledge of one or more foreign languages;
• general idea of ​​tourist destinations;
• traveler experience;
• communication skills;
• nice appearance.

IMPORTANT! Finding jobs that don't require experience can be difficult. Most likely, at first you will have to work for low pay and for a small travel agency.

1. Driver, taxi driver.

Getting a job as a taxi driver is not difficult. It is enough to have a driver's license and driving experience. A personal car is desirable, but not required.

Peculiarities:

• flexible work schedule;
• the need to communicate with passengers;
• a number of dangers: ranging from inappropriate behavior of passengers to robbery and assault.

1. Repair specialist, “husband for an hour.”

If you are a man who has “golden hands,” this can become a source of permanent income. The demand for generalists is always high. Here are the most popular areas:

• plumbing;
• electrician;
• laying tiles, laminate;
• household needs: hang a picture, a mirror, install a bracket, a screen on a battery, etc.

If you are a woman, you can, for example:

• wallpapering;
• to paint walls;
• do painting work.

Initially, it will be difficult to find clients. You can submit advertisements:

• to sites like Avito;
• to local newspapers;
• Post it on porches and notice boards.

BY THE WAY! Later, if customers are satisfied with the quality. Then there will be a lot of work (and money).

1. IT specialist.

To start working in this field, you must undergo training. As a rule, you will have to study for at least six months. And mastering a new profession will not be easy at all. However, do not forget that salaries in IT are quite high.

Common vacancies:

• programmer;
• System Administrator;
• technical support specialist;
• tester;
• computer repairman.

1. Realtor.

To start a career, a realtor does not need to have a specialized education. Although the specifics of the profession are such that you need to have a good knowledge of real estate legislation. Therefore, if you have a higher or incomplete higher education in law, you can try yourself in this field.

ADVICE! You should start your career in an agency. There you will learn the specifics of the job and gain valuable skills. However, wages are unlikely to be high.

In agencies, the best clients go to experienced employees. Beginners can only settle for small deals.

After a while, you can start your own realtor practice. Here you need:

• active life position;
• constant search for clients;
• people communication skills;
• representative appearance.

A realtor receives his income depending on the number of transactions completed. Therefore, everything is in your hands.

1. Organizer of joint purchases.

If you are a participant in joint purchases and have managed to become familiar with the basic principles of their work, you can become an organizer.

First of all, you should look for vacancies. Joint purchases are usually carried out in social groups. networks. Subscribe to different groups. Find out if they need an organizer.

Think in advance about what kind of purchase you might be making. Ideas can be drawn from joint purchases in other cities.

BY THE WAY! It is better to start your organizing career by purchasing cheap goods. This way you can get acquainted with the business process and not risk a large amount of money.

A registered individual entrepreneur (for you personally or for a close relative) will be an advantage, because a number of wholesalers cooperate only with legal entities.

1. Toastmaster, DJ, photographer.

If you are an active and charismatic person, you can try yourself in the entertainment industry. Age will play into your hands here. Agree, few people would want to invite a 20-year-old toastmaster to a wedding. It's either a matter of 40 or 50 years.

• Toastmaster.

This is not an easy activity. Suitable only if you are sociable, confident and love holidays. There are leading courses that it is advisable to complete before starting a career.

In addition, there is a lot of information on the Internet about how to hold celebrations. Many ready-made scenarios for weddings, birthdays, etc.

IMPORTANT! Remember that the toastmaster must maintain complete sobriety during the holiday, be able to create a pleasant atmosphere, hold interesting competitions, and avoid quarrels and fights.

• DJ.

The profession is more masculine than feminine. Usually a DJ works in tandem with a toastmaster. You will need professional equipment and the ability to use electronics. Ready-made track lists are easy to find on the Internet.

• Photographer.

Also difficult, but interesting work. Here you also need professional equipment and a willingness to wear it (weight can reach 15-20 kg.)

To become a real photographer, you need to take courses. There you will be taught how to properly build a composition and take high-quality photographs. And also process them in special computer programs - graphic editors.

1. Animator at children's events.

The job is suitable for those who love children and know how to organize them. Of course, specialized education in the field of pedagogy or preschool education will be a big plus. But even without this you can find a good place. Some companies train animators themselves.

Important aspects of working as an animator:

• physical endurance is required;
• willingness to fool around in public, wear ridiculous outfits;
• leadership skills.

1. Freelancer.

Freelancing is remote work via the Internet. Today there are a huge number of vacancies for both men and women. Here are some of them:

• copywriter (write texts to order);
• content manager (post texts on websites);
• translator;
• author of scientific works for students/schoolchildren;
• SMM manager (publications on social networks);
• programmer;
• designer, artist.

The big plus is that age does not matter for this job. Even if you are 55 years old, you can write 25. And no one can check.

Florist

Figure 3. Floristry is an activity for those who are tired of the hustle and bustle of work

If you have a developed sense of beauty, try yourself as a florist. It will only take a couple of weeks to learn this profession. A good florist in a large city can claim a decent salary and a wide selection of vacancies.

Interesting fact : floristry is not just about arranging bouquets for sale. The profession is in demand in landscape design, as well as organizing weddings and other special events.

New profession after 40 years: prospects and pitfalls

The results of opinion polls show that employers often give preference to young employees, and this applies to women even more. Many bosses have a prejudice against them: 40-year-old workers are more often focused on family than on their careers, do not agree to work overtime, and their performance decreases with age.

At the same time, older employees have already gained experience and developed the ability to communicate competently with people. They know how to present themselves favorably and how to conduct business.

In addition, if in youth the choice of a future profession is often influenced by the opinion of parents, the desire to enter a university for free and with a minimum of exams, then in adulthood women approach this consciously, understanding what they really need and what they can and want do best.

And learning after 40 is in some ways easier: you have a good base of knowledge and skills, life experience, and self-confidence. And the children, most likely, have already grown up a little and do not need their mother’s every minute supervision - which means you can take care of yourself.

Tester in the IT sector

Contrary to popular belief, you can start a successful career in the IT sector at the age of 40. A tester is a specialist who conducts software testing, writing reports and identifying problem areas. The profession has become extremely in demand in all major cities of Russia, and the number of IT companies will only grow in the coming years.

You can learn a new profession in parallel with your old job, in the evenings and on weekends. Articles about how to become a tester and what online courses are worth taking are regularly published on Habrahabr and other IT communities.

Get an education for free

This right is granted only to the unemployed. To study at the expense of the state, you must register with the Employment Center. You will be offered training in a variety of profiles.

BY THE WAY! The state is interested in citizens obtaining new, in-demand professions, going to work, and paying taxes. By the way, students are paid a small stipend.

Lists of professions differ in different regions. Here are some of them:

• repairman;
• loader driver;
• electric and gas welder;
• turner;
• seamstress;
• store cashier;
• computer operator;
• cook;
• baker;
• manicurist;
• hairdresser.

Work in beauty salons

Figure 4. You can quickly learn hairdressing in courses

The beauty industry is a big market and there is always room for newcomers. The advantage of this area is the wide variety of professions, each of which can be mastered in a few months:

• hairdresser;
• manicure and pedicure specialist;
• visagiste;
• hair removal master;
• massage therapist, etc.

It is noteworthy that hairdressers' incomes are approximately equal to the national average, and experienced professionals can surpass this level with in-home haircuts and other personal services. Experience in medicine will be a big advantage: in this case, it is worth trying yourself in cosmetology and other specialties that require specialized education.

Own business

No one says that starting your own business, much less making it successful, is easy. It will be hard, but you have a safety net. By the age of 40, people have already managed to accumulate certain experience and knowledge that allow them to organize their own business. Always remember that it will be difficult at first, but then you will be your own boss. No one will tell you what to do or how to do it.

Rely on your professional experience; most likely, it will allow you to come up with exactly the direction that will give you the opportunity to earn money. Write a business plan for yourself and follow it. Do not pursue an area that, although profitable, is contrary to your inner world. Do what is interesting, and then everything will work out.

Realtor

Figure 5. Realtor is an interesting but difficult profession that is not suitable for everyone

Real estate trading is an activity for those who know how to communicate with clients and find ways out of difficult situations. To get started, you only need desire and minimal communication skills, and employers usually take on all the training. It is better to start your career in large agencies, where experienced mentors will help with useful advice.

You need to remember that this profession is in many ways similar to running your own business. A realtor’s income directly depends on the number of transactions concluded, so the specialist is required to have initiative and high efficiency.

How to become a realtor

A realtor provides intermediary services and conducts real estate transactions.

The job of a realtor is to support real estate transactions

Responsibilities include:

• searching for clients;
• Negotiation;
• conducting analysis of the real estate market;
• collection of necessary documents;
• consulting on transaction issues.

It is necessary to obtain a higher education.
The specialist draws up the necessary documents and signs contracts. He introduces clients to the selected property, agrees on the terms of the contract, studies monitoring, and re-registers property rights. The better and more active a realtor works, the higher the reputation and sales volume of the agency.

A realtor is in demand among real estate agencies. The work schedule is irregular. We have to travel to sites and negotiate at different times and days.

Salary depends on the percentage of the transaction; it can reach 100,000 rubles.

A purposeful, sociable young specialist can build a successful career as a realtor and open his own real estate agency.

You can become a realtor after studying at a university for at least 4 years. Higher education costs from 46,000 rubles annually. Distance learning - from 10,000 rubles.

It is recommended to start a career as a realtor without specialized education by attending monthly courses and seminars at training centers.