I don’t want to leave you hanging, so let me start here:
I’m 35 right now, and I’m in the midst of a career change. So I’d say, no, it’s not too late for a career change at 35.
I finally decided to pursue a new career path at age 32, and admittedly, it feels like it’s taken a long time to get here. But even if I were starting today, at the ripe old age of 35.75, it would be worth it to me.
If you’re considering a career change in your mid-30s, welcome — and get ready to meet your favorite version of yourself.
It’s Never Too Late to Switch Careers
Is 35 too late for a new career? What about 45? 55? 60?
According to ZipRecruiter, about 1 in 4 workers over the age of 55 have reported having trouble finding work during their job search, and over half (53%) have experienced ageism in the workplace.
In the safety of that anonymous survey, even 25% of employers admitted that between 2 equally qualified candidates, one age 30 and the other age 60, they’d choose the 30-year-old. (Bear in mind that age-related discrimination is illegal at the federal level … for workers 40 and over. Sorry, 39-year-olds!)
And if 25% would anonymously admit to ageist hiring practices, how many more are doing…