';Mid life crisis'; career change?

I'm 40 years old and have been doing the same job (albeit with different companies) since I was 17. I am in a declining industry (worsted wool textile manufacturing) and have a specialised job with no apparent transferable skill (woven suiting fabric design). Although it is fairly well paid and has allowed me to travel to different countries I am bored rigid with it and can not see the industry lasting more than another 10 years (I have been made redundant several times in the last 23 years). There are other opportunities in sales and buying but I want out of textiles altogether.



Now the real problem - I have abslolutely no idea what I want to do! I have tried looking for careers advice in my area, but there are only DSS run services which are not set up to offer proper advice to people in my position.



Can anyone offer any sensible advice on how I could start changing career paths?';Mid life crisis'; career change?
ditto!';Mid life crisis'; career change?
I was in a similar boat - I went to school for one subject - but found out after the 5 years and $50k later that it really wasn't my thing. Although I was only doing that line of work for 12 years, I found it tough to transition to something else.



What I did was a couple of things. First, during my 12 years doing my previous job, I used to dream about what I would like to do. Second, I privately studied, informally, through interviewing different people and reading material, either print or internet. Third, I was willing to take a lower position and make less money, but transition to a career I WANTED to do. The career was related to first line of work, but I brought the experience and know-how from there. The job gave me the ability to switch gears and learn gradually about the new line of work (sometimes the hard way).



I had to get used to the fact I was 10 years (12 years, really) behind my co-workers, but I was okay with that. I try to bring to my workplace a fresh perspective, but also 10 years of professionalism.



I have to admit that location plays a big part in what you do. If you could do something related to what you do, that might help in the career change.
Freaky. I'm not in the wool industry but I'm hopefully embarking on a career change. L started off by looking at mind tool.com/jobhunting/career choice which gave useful advice about thinking what your skills and strengths are, pscychometric tests etc. Also

www.career-descriptions.co.uk/complete鈥?careers

I didn't know about half of these jobs. Hope all goes well for you
My husband was a factory engineer for 23 years with one company and conditions and boredom was killing him. He toyed with the idea of becoming a fishmonger and at 39 he did it. Self taught with help from another tradesman and lots of reading he set up on his own. It was a scary time and very hard work but he built a good business for 10 years when he decided to go back to paid employment again (for a rest!) At age 49 he was much more confident with his abilities than previously when he'd worried he was 'over the hill'. He picked local companies from Yellow Pages who weren't necessarily looking for employees at that moment but whose businesses he felt he could contribute to and sent them his CV. He got interviews from most and was offered 6 jobs from which he took his pick. It was in a care home. The money wasn't what he'd been used to but he was far happier in his work and stayed until retirement. Think what you WANT to do and then go for it. You can change direction any time you want. Good luck.
Hi,



I am looking for people to join my team.



I speak to so many people who feel just like you so you are not alone.



Email me and I will give you some more information to see if you are interested in taking a look.



Good Luck!
Careerkit.blogspot.com is a good place for job tips. They also are linked to a career consulting firm that I used and found very helpful. That address is learntosucceed.biz

Best of luck to you
You have asked the question I have wanted to for months.

Thank you for that first off.

You have received 6 great answers too. (other than mine)



Is this something that is developing in other countries that need your skills for training or management?



Make sure you switch to something you enjoy.

46 years old and going through the same dilemma.
Go to push.topgunsuccess.com.....it will change your life.

Good Luck.
40 is a bit old to completely retrain (ok you are never too old etc, but retrain, get a new job, build up a creer, again?). What about starting a business that utilises your skills? If you hate the idea of business, team up with someone who can do the admin side. Is there not some specialised service you could provide? Or could you supply a certain kind of fabric product from overseas*? Is there some product you could specialise in that has a niche market (or better several niche markets) and for which people will pay a lot? If your industry is in decline its a shame to jump ship but the reality is unavoidable so you have to take care of your future.

(*not touting for business but I can help you arrange that -I am in that line)
in the end you have to do what you like. The best way to find out is to take career aptitude tests like this one http://www.job--listings.info/free-aptit鈥?/a> and if you are lucky at the end they might even offer you a job, in any case they'll tell you what suits your own personality, based on the test you took.

there might be a few more tests here http://www.job--listings.info/

hope I helped, cheers
Try plumbing, plastering, electrician or become an Energy assessor, they reckon that all these jobs are high demand. We're going through the same crisis at the moment and it does seem that you only get help to further your career if you are already unemployed. Although grants and loans are available for you if you want to enhance you employment prospects. Your bank could tell you about these. Hope this helps.