{"id":393,"date":"2015-04-22T13:55:05","date_gmt":"2015-04-22T18:55:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.headwaycapital.com\/blog\/?p=393"},"modified":"2020-10-05T16:40:54","modified_gmt":"2020-10-05T21:40:54","slug":"how-begin-career-later","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.headwaycapital.com\/blog\/how-begin-career-later\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Begin a Career Later in Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are many paths one can take to pursue a career. Some people know what they want to do at an early age and take a direct route. Others build their knowledge and skills through a variety of different work experiences before deciding what they\u2019d like to do long-term. If you find yourself in the latter camp, it may feel like you are trying to catch up with those in that profession that started at an early age. But that shouldn\u2019t discourage you \u2014 let it motivate you! With the proper attitude and these tips, you can see for yourself that it\u2019s truly never too late to become the professional you aspire to be.<\/p>\n

Freelance<\/strong><\/h4>\n

If your desired career allows the opportunity to work on a freelance basis, strive for that to get your foot in the door. In addition to allowing you to get a better understanding of the job market and the companies you\u2019d like to work for, it can serve as a valuable opportunity for you to improve your skills. Working on your craft for several hours a day over an extended period will undoubtedly improve your knowledge and skillset, and make you much more qualified for full-time employment.<\/p>\n

Volunteer<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Consider the expression, \u201cif opportunity doesn\u2019t knock, build a door.\u201d It applies well when put in the context of volunteer work. Volunteering most often doesn\u2019t require certain qualifications or prior experience, and can be rewarding on a couple of levels. Personally, you can obtain a sense of pride for your work. Professionally, you can gain skills that may improve your resume and job candidacy.<\/p>\n

Work On A Side Project<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Do you have a passion or interest that motivates you? Find a way to make the most of it by embracing a side project. Side projects allow recruiters (or others involved in hiring decisions) to understand you better, and see a side of you that may translate well into a role within their company. If your side project can address a business challenge, it will demonstrate problem-solving skills and give you something relevant to talk with potential employers about.<\/p>\n

Network<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Each of the three previously mentioned tips all includes great potential for networking. When you\u2019re freelancing, volunteering or working on a side project, there will be opportunities for you to connect with people who work in the industry you aspire to be a part of. In fact, you may want to consider that a primary reason to pursue unpaid work such as volunteering or side projects. These networking opportunities can be more valuable than forced occasions such as career fairs or networking events, because you won\u2019t be competing with countless others to gain a small bit of attention from just a handful of decision-makers.<\/p>\n

Read<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

At no point in your career will you ever be allowed to stop learning, so you\u2019d better start now! The more you know about your industry and profession, the more prepared you\u2019ll be to jump in. While popular job-hunting advice may say \u201cIt\u2019s not what you know \u2014 it\u2019s who you know,\u201d who you know won\u2019t get you far if you don\u2019t know what you\u2019re doing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There are many paths one can take to pursue a career. 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