4 answers
Asssilem
Student
Kansas City, Missouri
1
Question
Asked
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Should I change job when I turns 32?
I have worked for this company for 5 years but sometimes I feel bored with how my company operates. I want to change my job but I'm afraid that I won't get welcome due to my age. What should I do now? Thanks for reply.
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4 answers
Patrick Meyer
Executive - Data Analytics and AI
988
Answers
Naperville, Illinois
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Asssilem, please understand that deciding whether to change jobs at 32 after five years at your current company is a significant decision, and it’s natural to feel conflicted. Feeling bored or disengaged with your current role can be a sign that you may benefit from a new challenge or environment. However, it's also understandable to have concerns about making a change, especially when it comes to age and the potential fear of being less competitive in the job market. Here’s a structured approach to help you navigate this situation and make an informed decision.
Before making any decisions, take some time to assess why you're feeling bored or disengaged. Is it due to the company's culture, a lack of growth opportunities, or a mismatch between your personal career goals and the company's direction? Identifying the root cause will help you determine if the issue lies with your current job or if a change of environment is necessary. It might also be helpful to have a conversation with your manager or HR to explore the possibility of new projects, promotions, or internal transfers that could reignite your interest and career progression without the need for an entire career change. Take a week to jot down what excites you about your job and what feels stagnant. Then, compare it to your long-term career goals.
Asssilem, at 32, you're at an ideal point in your career to reassess where you want to go next. Reflect on your personal and professional aspirations. Are you looking for more responsibility, a leadership role, a different industry, or greater work-life balance? Understanding these goals can guide your next steps. You don’t necessarily need to change jobs to achieve these goals, but sometimes a shift in company culture, responsibilities, or career focus is necessary to push you toward what you truly want. Define what your "ideal job" looks like and whether it’s feasible to pursue within your current company or if it requires moving elsewhere.
It's common to worry about age-related biases, but it’s important to recognize that many employers value experience, maturity, and the stability that individuals in their early 30s bring to a company. Many professionals in their 30s are seen as highly desirable candidates because of their blend of experience and potential for growth. Moreover, the job market is evolving, with increasing demand for professionals with diverse backgrounds and experience levels. Leverage your experience as a strength. When applying for jobs, focus on how your 5 years of experience have helped you develop critical skills, leadership qualities, and a deep understanding of your field.
Asssilem, if you are concerned about how the job market will perceive your application, invest time in networking and developing new skills. Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with industry professionals, join relevant groups, and attend networking events or webinars. Also, consider upgrading your skill set by taking courses through platforms like Coursera, edX, or Udemy. Pursuing certifications or learning new technologies can make you even more competitive in your field and provide a fresh edge. Join professional communities or attend industry events to stay informed about the trends in your sector. Consider taking online courses or certifications to further boost your qualifications.
Before making a final decision, research the job market in your field to determine the demand for your skills and the types of positions available. Websites like Glassdoor (www.glassdoor.com) and Indeed (www.indeed.com) can provide insights into current job opportunities, salary ranges, and company reviews. This will give you a clearer picture of your options and help you decide whether a job change is a viable option for you at this stage. Browse job listings in your industry to gauge the demand for your expertise and to see how the opportunities align with your career goals.
Sometimes, Asssilem, it can be helpful to seek external advice from a career coach or mentor who can provide objective insights. They can help you assess whether your current job dissatisfaction is temporary or part of a broader trend and guide you on how to make a transition smoothly. A mentor with experience in your field can offer valuable perspective and might even know of job openings or companies looking for someone with your skill set. Reach out to mentors within your industry or look for career coaches on platforms like Coach.me (www.coach.me) or BetterUp (www.betterup.com).
If you're uncertain about leaving your current job entirely, you could explore a hybrid path that allows you to test new opportunities while still maintaining your current role. For example, you could start freelancing, consulting, or even exploring part-time roles or projects that align with your interests. This approach lets you explore new career paths without fully committing to a change, and it gives you more control over your decision. Begin exploring freelance platforms like Upwork (www.upwork.com) or Freelancer (www.freelancer.com) to test new roles and industries on the side.
Asssilem, changing jobs at 32 is a perfectly normal step in your career, especially if you’re feeling bored or unsatisfied with your current role. By thoroughly assessing your motivations, leveraging your experience, networking, and enhancing your skills, you can make a seamless transition to a new opportunity that aligns with your goals. Age should not hold you back—rather, use your accumulated experience and maturity as an asset in the job market. Remember, your career is a journey, and it's never too late to pursue a new path that excites you and helps you grow professionally and personally.
Before making any decisions, take some time to assess why you're feeling bored or disengaged. Is it due to the company's culture, a lack of growth opportunities, or a mismatch between your personal career goals and the company's direction? Identifying the root cause will help you determine if the issue lies with your current job or if a change of environment is necessary. It might also be helpful to have a conversation with your manager or HR to explore the possibility of new projects, promotions, or internal transfers that could reignite your interest and career progression without the need for an entire career change. Take a week to jot down what excites you about your job and what feels stagnant. Then, compare it to your long-term career goals.
Asssilem, at 32, you're at an ideal point in your career to reassess where you want to go next. Reflect on your personal and professional aspirations. Are you looking for more responsibility, a leadership role, a different industry, or greater work-life balance? Understanding these goals can guide your next steps. You don’t necessarily need to change jobs to achieve these goals, but sometimes a shift in company culture, responsibilities, or career focus is necessary to push you toward what you truly want. Define what your "ideal job" looks like and whether it’s feasible to pursue within your current company or if it requires moving elsewhere.
It's common to worry about age-related biases, but it’s important to recognize that many employers value experience, maturity, and the stability that individuals in their early 30s bring to a company. Many professionals in their 30s are seen as highly desirable candidates because of their blend of experience and potential for growth. Moreover, the job market is evolving, with increasing demand for professionals with diverse backgrounds and experience levels. Leverage your experience as a strength. When applying for jobs, focus on how your 5 years of experience have helped you develop critical skills, leadership qualities, and a deep understanding of your field.
Asssilem, if you are concerned about how the job market will perceive your application, invest time in networking and developing new skills. Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with industry professionals, join relevant groups, and attend networking events or webinars. Also, consider upgrading your skill set by taking courses through platforms like Coursera, edX, or Udemy. Pursuing certifications or learning new technologies can make you even more competitive in your field and provide a fresh edge. Join professional communities or attend industry events to stay informed about the trends in your sector. Consider taking online courses or certifications to further boost your qualifications.
Before making a final decision, research the job market in your field to determine the demand for your skills and the types of positions available. Websites like Glassdoor (www.glassdoor.com) and Indeed (www.indeed.com) can provide insights into current job opportunities, salary ranges, and company reviews. This will give you a clearer picture of your options and help you decide whether a job change is a viable option for you at this stage. Browse job listings in your industry to gauge the demand for your expertise and to see how the opportunities align with your career goals.
Sometimes, Asssilem, it can be helpful to seek external advice from a career coach or mentor who can provide objective insights. They can help you assess whether your current job dissatisfaction is temporary or part of a broader trend and guide you on how to make a transition smoothly. A mentor with experience in your field can offer valuable perspective and might even know of job openings or companies looking for someone with your skill set. Reach out to mentors within your industry or look for career coaches on platforms like Coach.me (www.coach.me) or BetterUp (www.betterup.com).
If you're uncertain about leaving your current job entirely, you could explore a hybrid path that allows you to test new opportunities while still maintaining your current role. For example, you could start freelancing, consulting, or even exploring part-time roles or projects that align with your interests. This approach lets you explore new career paths without fully committing to a change, and it gives you more control over your decision. Begin exploring freelance platforms like Upwork (www.upwork.com) or Freelancer (www.freelancer.com) to test new roles and industries on the side.
Asssilem, changing jobs at 32 is a perfectly normal step in your career, especially if you’re feeling bored or unsatisfied with your current role. By thoroughly assessing your motivations, leveraging your experience, networking, and enhancing your skills, you can make a seamless transition to a new opportunity that aligns with your goals. Age should not hold you back—rather, use your accumulated experience and maturity as an asset in the job market. Remember, your career is a journey, and it's never too late to pursue a new path that excites you and helps you grow professionally and personally.
Cliff Schreier
43
Answers
Rochester, Minnesota
Updated
Cliff’s Answer
Assilem,
I agree with the previous peoples' advice. A job needs to provide you enough compensation to provide for yourself and your family. Once it does that, you need to have or make the job into something that provides you fulfillment. If you work 40 hours per week at a job (out of 168 total hours per week), that's nearly 25% of your life. If you sleep 8 hours per day, those 40 hours are nearly 50% of your awake life, so your job shouldn't just be a drag or yawner.
You're still very young and some would say you're at a great time to decide whether you should stay or go. Five years is enough experience to know how the job world works, what you like, and what you want to be happy. You will likely still be working another 20 years, so your job shouldn't be totally boring all the time. That said, any job will require you to do certain things that you don't like or that are boring, but we all need to have certain things that we like or that energize us.
I've been working at a company for nearly 43 years, and I've been a manager over 30 years. There have been multiple tasks I've been given which were not fun, but there were a lot of others which were amazing and uplifting. At this point in my career, I'm looking for ways to 'give back' to younger employees/others with mentoring, coaching, and other activities. That's what excites me now, you need to have things you're able to do to excite you.
If your job provides well for your material needs, you might be able to 'create some room' in it to do things that stimulate you or make you happy like I am able to do with mentoring and coaching. I love working with young students and my company does outreach to schools, so I've done a lot of this throughout my career.
My last point: Take a truly objective look at your job and list out the good and bad parts of it in an unbiased manner (you might need help from others to do this). Is it REALLY boring? Is there anything you can do to make it better? Have you talked with your boss about things you'd like to do and been shot down? If it's truly a dead-end job, then you should look elsewhere, and your age should not be an issue - it will likely be a benefit due to your experience.
Good luck!
I agree with the previous peoples' advice. A job needs to provide you enough compensation to provide for yourself and your family. Once it does that, you need to have or make the job into something that provides you fulfillment. If you work 40 hours per week at a job (out of 168 total hours per week), that's nearly 25% of your life. If you sleep 8 hours per day, those 40 hours are nearly 50% of your awake life, so your job shouldn't just be a drag or yawner.
You're still very young and some would say you're at a great time to decide whether you should stay or go. Five years is enough experience to know how the job world works, what you like, and what you want to be happy. You will likely still be working another 20 years, so your job shouldn't be totally boring all the time. That said, any job will require you to do certain things that you don't like or that are boring, but we all need to have certain things that we like or that energize us.
I've been working at a company for nearly 43 years, and I've been a manager over 30 years. There have been multiple tasks I've been given which were not fun, but there were a lot of others which were amazing and uplifting. At this point in my career, I'm looking for ways to 'give back' to younger employees/others with mentoring, coaching, and other activities. That's what excites me now, you need to have things you're able to do to excite you.
If your job provides well for your material needs, you might be able to 'create some room' in it to do things that stimulate you or make you happy like I am able to do with mentoring and coaching. I love working with young students and my company does outreach to schools, so I've done a lot of this throughout my career.
My last point: Take a truly objective look at your job and list out the good and bad parts of it in an unbiased manner (you might need help from others to do this). Is it REALLY boring? Is there anything you can do to make it better? Have you talked with your boss about things you'd like to do and been shot down? If it's truly a dead-end job, then you should look elsewhere, and your age should not be an issue - it will likely be a benefit due to your experience.
Good luck!
Cristina cristina-maria.tomosoiu@hpe.com
Program Manager
11
Answers
Bucharest, Romania
Updated
Cristina’s Answer
Your age is not an obstacle to obtain what you want. You are experienced and searching to bring your knowledge and experience to a further level.
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1333
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Asssilem! First off, 32 is still young, and you’re definitely not too old to make a career change. If you feel like your current job is more "yawn" than "yay," it's a sign that it's time to shake things up! 🌪️
Now, the idea of switching jobs can feel like stepping into the unknown—like choosing to take the red pill in The Matrix. It’s scary but also empowering. And hey, if you’re getting bored at your current job, you’re probably ready to tackle something new and exciting. The good news is, experience is your superpower! Think about it: You’ve been working for 5 years, you’ve got plenty of skills, and you're probably better equipped to adapt and shine than you were at 22. 🌟
As for the worry about age—forget it. The only time age matters is when you’re trying to apply for the world's oldest living person award. Companies want experience, and there are plenty of employers who appreciate a seasoned pro who’s seen things and learned lessons the hard way (aka “wisdom”). Besides, if your next job is a perfect fit, age will be the last thing anyone cares about!
So, if you feel like it’s time to leave, go for it! Start by updating your resume, networking like a pro, and applying to jobs that excite you. Don’t let fear hold you back. Worst case, you’ll learn something new. Best case? You’ll find a job that makes you excited to get out of bed every morning (and maybe even jump out of bed, superhero-style). 💥
You're not over the hill at 32. You’re just getting started. Go for it! 🎉
Now, the idea of switching jobs can feel like stepping into the unknown—like choosing to take the red pill in The Matrix. It’s scary but also empowering. And hey, if you’re getting bored at your current job, you’re probably ready to tackle something new and exciting. The good news is, experience is your superpower! Think about it: You’ve been working for 5 years, you’ve got plenty of skills, and you're probably better equipped to adapt and shine than you were at 22. 🌟
As for the worry about age—forget it. The only time age matters is when you’re trying to apply for the world's oldest living person award. Companies want experience, and there are plenty of employers who appreciate a seasoned pro who’s seen things and learned lessons the hard way (aka “wisdom”). Besides, if your next job is a perfect fit, age will be the last thing anyone cares about!
So, if you feel like it’s time to leave, go for it! Start by updating your resume, networking like a pro, and applying to jobs that excite you. Don’t let fear hold you back. Worst case, you’ll learn something new. Best case? You’ll find a job that makes you excited to get out of bed every morning (and maybe even jump out of bed, superhero-style). 💥
You're not over the hill at 32. You’re just getting started. Go for it! 🎉