Can Middle-Aged Professionals Really Change Careers, Make More Money and Actually Love Their New Jobs?

As a mentor for middle-aged attorneys and professionals exploring career changes, I
have often been asked if it can be done, and if so, how. Yes, it can be done. After
spending 25+ years guiding thousands through transitions, I have learned a few things
worth sharing.
Many clients are unhappily employed lawyers and executives in their 40s, 50s and 60s
seeking to change careers and find senior or C-level roles with intriguing challenges,
lucrative compensation, and good work/life balance. This is not an easy task, which is
why there are so few consultants specializing in this niche.
It is worth noting that while the steps I describe below may seem complicated and take
forever to accomplish, they can be done pretty quickly and not even interfere with your
job. Many of our campaigns wrap in 3 to 7 months.
To explore your options, start with an honest personal skills and interest inventory. What
are you good at, and what do you enjoy doing? Many clients are skilled in areas they
dislike, like litigation or drafting. Identify challenges you relish and those you would you
rather avoid.
Next, consider industries that interest you. One attorney client who had wanted to be a
doctor but did miserably in inorganic chemistry, became an employee relations council
for a hospital group. Another, a corporate attorney passionate about design, transitioned
to a finance and administration role for an international architecture firm.
Once you have pinpointed your skills and interests, research jobs that align. Research
classified ads and visit O*Net, an online encyclopedia of job information.
(https://onetonline.org). Look for employer-desired skills. You will not match all of
them, but a partial alignment can work.
One IP attorney beat a seasoned real estate attorney for a GC role with a start up
commercial real estate company. Why? Because of his outgoing personality and
networking skills. The company needed someone who could build relationships from
scratch. He didn’t need to know real estate – he needed to know people!
After doing your research, make a short list of your realistic career options based on
your transferable skills. This is the hardest part. It gets easier from here.
Prepare a career change resume and cover letter focused on what you can do, rather
than on what you have done. Sell your future, not your past! Feature the skills that are
relevant to the job you want. If you trained junior lawyers or educated clients on legal

issues and want to move into professional development, highlight those stories, not
your litigation wins. Make sure your resume is selling the right product!
Get smart about job search. There are books galore and lots of coaches (like yours
truly) who can help you crack the hidden job market.
Before launching your campaign, create a marketing plan. Include target industries, a
30-second intro, outreach goals, and well-considered answers to the questions you
don’t want them to ask, like about your age or why you want to leave a successful
career and try something new.
Once the plan is ready, start sending out resumes, building a contacts base and finding
companies that can benefit from your unique value. With solid research and execution,
you can land a job you love in just a matter of months.
If you are an attorney or senior executive and you have been thinking about discovering “what
else is out there” for you, or if you are not sure how to even start a career transition process, get
in touch with me for a virtual cup of coffee. You will receive a confidential, no-cost consultation
to discuss your situation and goals, and will also get expert advice on how to launch your job
campaign. To schedule a strategy call with me, click here:
https://live.vcita.com/site/bruce.blackwell
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