The Complete Guide
Career Transitions
You're not starting from scratch. You're starting with wisdom. Here's how to pivot your career with clarity and confidence.
39
Average age for a significant career change
Source: Zippia
80%+
of midlife career pivoters earn the same or more within 2 years
Source: Career Research
60%
qualification match is enough to apply (men do, women often don't)
Source: HP Internal Report
The Biggest Barrier Isn't Your Skills
If you're mid-career and feeling stuck in a role that no longer fits, you're not alone. The idea that we have one career for life is long gone. Shifting gears in your 30s, 40s, and 50s is more common than ever.
But here's what I've learned from speaking with thousands of career professionals over the past decade:
The biggest barrier to making a career transition is rarely skill-based. It's mental and emotional.
The fears that hold people back:
- •Fear of getting it wrong
- •Fear of what others will think
- •Fear of being too late or too old
- •Fear of the unknown
If you want to future-proof your career and stay ahead in this next decade of work, you can't afford to think like this. Businesses and emerging industries need what you bring to the table. Your job now is to package those skills with purpose, position yourself for what's next, and take bold, intentional steps forward.
From Beauty Therapist to Tech Recruitment
My own career pivot story
At 16, I left school and went to college in Oxford to learn a trade. I chose beauty therapy because I wanted to work on cruise ships and see the world. After managing a spa in the Cotswolds, I flew to Greece to run spas for a travel company, then to the French Alps.
At 23, I packed a rucksack and flew to Australia. After six months running a clinic in Melbourne, I knew I wanted to stay. But if I wanted sponsorship, I needed to pivot my career.
I didn't type "tech" or "recruitment" into job sites. I typed what I was good at: sales and customer service. That's when I saw "Recruitment Consultant." A whole new world of opportunities opened up.
I didn't leave my experience behind. I brought it with me. The way I connected with clients, built trust quickly, listened deeply, and genuinely cared. These skills translated. I just had to learn how to position them differently.
12 years later, I've built a successful recruitment company, coached thousands of professionals, and helped hundreds land leadership roles. That pivot changed everything.
The B.O.L.D. Formula
Your simple pivot plan. Career change doesn't have to be overwhelming.
Begin Where You Are
Uncover what you're already good at
Start by uncovering what you're already good at. You've built years of experience. Now it's time to unpack those transferable skills, passions, and superpowers that can be applied in a whole new way.
Ask yourself: What am I consistently good at? What do people come to me for? What problems do I solve naturally?
Opportunities Open to You
Explore what's possible
Look at growing industries, future-focused roles, and where your existing strengths might shine in a new context. Don't search for job titles you don't know. Search for what you're good at and see what comes up.
Research tip: Visit job sites and search your strengths (sales, project management, communication), not specific titles. A whole new world of possibilities will open up.
Learn What You Need
Identify and fill the gaps
Identify the gaps. Whether it's new tools, certifications, or simply industry knowledge, you don't need to become an expert overnight. You just need to start learning intentionally and strategically.
Be strategic: Look at job descriptions for roles you want. What skills appear repeatedly? Focus your learning there.
Do the Work
Bold moves require bold action
Take small steps. Reach out. Apply. Build. Test. Iterate. The clarity and confidence you're craving won't come from thinking. It'll come from doing.
Remember: Job descriptions are wishlists, not checklists. If you meet 60% of the requirements, apply. Your unique background might be exactly what sets you apart.
Your Skills Travel With You
You have more transferable skills than you realise.
Human Skills
- Communication
- Leadership
- Problem-solving
- Adaptability
- Emotional intelligence
- Relationship building
- Active listening
- Collaboration
Practical Skills
- Project management
- Data analysis
- Sales & negotiation
- Customer service
- Strategic thinking
- Process improvement
- Presentation
- Budget management
Whether you've been managing teams, juggling deadlines, caring for others, solving problems, or keeping things running behind the scenes, those moments have shaped you. They've taught you how to lead, adapt, problem-solve, communicate, and think on your feet. These are the skills employers seek, and they're already yours.
The Mindset Shift You Need
Stop thinking you're starting over. You're not.
Old Thinking
- ✕"I'm too old to change careers"
- ✕"I'd be starting from scratch"
- ✕"I don't have the right qualifications"
- ✕"I need to meet 100% of the requirements"
- ✕"It's too risky to change now"
New Thinking
- "I'm starting with wisdom and experience"
- "My skills travel with me"
- "I can learn what I need to know"
- "My unique background is an asset"
- "Staying stuck is the bigger risk"
Take the First Step Today
You don't need to have it all figured out to take the first step. You just need to pause, look inward, and start with what you already have.
First comes courage. Then comes confidence.
The clarity and confidence you're craving won't come from thinking about change. It'll come from taking bold, intentional action. Start with one small step today.
Ready to Make Your Bold Move?
Bold Moves is a 60-day career accelerator that gives you the strategy, accountability, and frameworks to navigate your career transition with clarity and confidence.
Learn About Bold MovesFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about career transitions
Is it too late to change careers?
No. Research from Zippia shows the average age for a significant career change is 39. Shifting gears in your 30s, 40s, and 50s is more common than ever. The idea that we have one career for life is long gone. Over 80% of people who make a midlife career pivot end up earning the same or more within two years. You're not moving backwards. You're moving forward with wisdom.
How do I know if I should change careers?
Signs you might be ready for a career change include: feeling stuck or unfulfilled despite promotions, dreading Monday mornings consistently, your values no longer aligning with your work, curiosity about other industries that won't go away, or sensing that your current path has a ceiling. The feeling of being stuck is often your signal that it's time to explore what else is possible.
What are transferable skills?
Transferable skills are capabilities that travel with you across industries and roles. They include both hard skills (data analysis, project management, writing) and human skills (communication, leadership, problem-solving, adaptability). Whether you've been managing teams, caring for others, or solving problems, those experiences have taught you skills that employers actively seek.
How do I identify my transferable skills?
Start by reflecting on what you've accomplished in your career. Ask yourself: What am I consistently good at? What do people come to me for? What problems do I solve naturally? Look for patterns across your experience. Skills like building relationships, hitting targets, managing stakeholders, and thinking creatively are valuable in almost any industry.
Do I need to go back to university to change careers?
Not necessarily. While some career changes require specific qualifications, many don't. Employers increasingly value skills and experience over credentials. Short courses, certifications, and self-directed learning can often bridge the gap. The key is identifying exactly what you need to learn and being strategic about how you acquire that knowledge.
How do I explain a career change to employers?
Frame your transition as intentional growth, not escape. Focus on the transferable skills you bring and how they apply to the new role. Explain your "why" clearly: what draws you to this industry and how your unique background adds value. Employers want people who can solve their problems. Show them you understand their challenges and have relevant capabilities.
What if I don't meet all the job requirements?
Job descriptions are wishlists, not checklists. No one meets 100% of the requirements. Research shows women typically only apply if they meet 100% of qualifications, while men apply at 60%. If you meet most of the core requirements and can demonstrate transferable skills for the rest, apply. Your unique background might be exactly what sets you apart.
How long does a career transition take?
A career transition typically takes 6 to 18 months, depending on how different your target role is from your current one and how much new learning is required. The process involves clarifying your direction, identifying skill gaps, building relevant experience or credentials, networking strategically, and applying for roles. Taking intentional action shortens the timeline significantly.
About the Author
Georgie Hubbard
Georgie Hubbard is a career coach, keynote speaker, and author of The Bold Move. With 12+ years in recruitment and 8+ years leading her own agency, she's interviewed thousands of candidates and placed hundreds into senior leadership roles.
She founded CH Solutions (IT recruitment), Sisterhood Club (women in tech), and hosts the Career Confidence Podcast. Her work focuses on helping leaders build career confidence and strategic positioning.
Your Next Chapter Starts Now
Don't let fear keep you stuck. Take the first bold step today.