How to Choose a New Career at 60
A new career at 60 years old? “Is that even possible?!” we hear you cry. Yes, it certainly is possible to start a new career at 60.
People are living longer, healthier lives and redefining what life in their 60s (and beyond) looks like. Many are choosing to stay active in the workforce or even embark on entirely new career paths. In fact, an AARP survey found that 24% of older workers were planning to make a job change in 2025 – a 10% increase over the year before.
In this blog post, we’ll give you the information you need to make a successful career change in later life (or at any other time). Plus, we’ll look at seven career-change ideas that are perfect for over 60s.
Is 60 Too Old to Start a New Career?
The short answer? No! The longer answer is that plenty of people in their 60s still have what it takes to change careers, and many people do so very successfully. Here are a few famous examples:
- Colonel Sanders was 62 when he opened his first branch of Kentucky Fried Chicken, having previously been an insurance salesman and a gas station attendant.
- Peter Roget, a physician, began writing his now hugely famous Roget’s Thesaurus when he was 67.
- Vera Wang entered the fashion design industry at 40, but it wasn’t until her 60s that her brand became an international powerhouse, expanding into home goods, jewelry, and fragrance. She remains an icon of style and entrepreneurship well into her 70s.
People often find themselves reassessing their lives in later middle age. Perhaps the kids have flown the nest, or maybe 40 years in one career has already been enough. Maybe retirement beckons, but you don’t want to completely stop working just yet. A new phase of life can bring with it a desire to follow a passion, work in a role that just wasn’t possible at a younger age, or take on a less stressful job with a better work-life balance.
The reasons to change careers at 60 are as individual as you are! So we’ll say it again: 60 isn’t too old for you to choose a new career!
How to Choose a New Career
Here are our top tips for choosing a new career in your 60s:
1. Decide What You Want to Achieve
Your wishes may stem from a whole range of objectives, such as a better work-life balance, greater flexibility, additional retirement earnings, or meaningful work in an organization that more closely aligns with your values. Take some time to reflect on what matters most to you at this stage of life. Ask yourself:
- Do I want a role that is less stressful or one that challenges me more intellectually?
- Am I looking for part-time work or something full-time that brings structure to my days?
- Would I prefer remote work for flexibility or a community-based role for social engagement?
If you value community engagement, for instance, careers in nonprofits or local government might be fulfilling. If flexibility and independence are important, freelancing or consulting could be ideal.
2. Identify Your Transferable Skills
By the age of 60, you will have had a lifetime of experience (and not just from your jobs). Think about the transferable skills you already have, for instance:
- Communication: Clear, effective communication – whether written or verbal – is crucial in almost every field.
- Time Management: Years of balancing work, family, and personal commitments means you know how to prioritize and meet deadlines.
- Organization: Being able to efficiently manage projects, schedules, and day-to-day responsibilities is a valuable skill.
- Project Management: Overseeing projects at work or home has likely given you skills in planning, budgeting, and coordinating tasks.
- Collaboration: Working effectively with others to achieve common goals, whether in community projects, workplaces, or volunteer roles is an in-demand skill.
All of these are highly valuable in almost any career field. To understand your strengths better, try conducting a skills audit: Write down everything you’ve learned from each job, volunteer role, or personal project you’ve undertaken. You might be surprised to see how much expertise you already have.
3. Consider Your Values, Interests, and Passions
A career change is an opportunity to monetize what you really love doing. Think about the things you enjoy most – gardening, writing, working with animals – and research what might be available in those fields. Ask yourself:
- What do I love doing that I could do every day without feeling drained?
- Which hobbies or activities have I been passionate about for years?
- Are there projects I’ve done in the past that brought me real satisfaction?
You could even consider signing up for a community class or a part-time volunteer role in your area of interest to test the waters before fully committing to a new career path.
How to Find a New Career at 60
You’ve decided why you want a career change, and you’ve set your goals. Here are the practical steps to help you find, prepare for, and secure your ideal role:
1. Research Potential Career Paths
Before diving into applications, it’s important to understand which career paths align with your skills, interests, and lifestyle goals. Begin by exploring the types of roles that are in demand and a good fit for career changers:
- Visit sites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor to explore job descriptions and understand role requirements. Look for trends in industries that are growing and consider roles where your transferable skills are valuable.
- Read up on industry forecasts to identify sectors that are expanding, such as technology, healthcare, and green energy. This can give you insights into long-term career stability.
- Reach out to people who are currently working in fields that interest you. Ask them about their daily responsibilities, challenges, and what they love about their work.
- Join forums and professional groups related to your areas of interest. Platforms like Reddit and Facebook Groups often have communities where people share job insights and career advice.
As you research, create a shortlist of three to five career paths that match your skills and interests. This focused list will help you narrow down your options and strategize your next steps more effectively.
2. Test the Waters with Volunteering or Part-Time Work
If you’re not ready to commit fully to a new career, you could try volunteering, internships, or part-time roles in your chosen field. This allows you to test the waters, build experience, and grow your network without the pressure of a full-time commitment.
Volunteering not only helps you build practical experience but also introduces you to people in the industry – potential employers or mentors who can guide your transition.
3. Upskill with Online Courses and Certifications
One of the biggest barriers to starting a new career is a lack of specific knowledge or certifications. Fortunately, online learning platforms make it easier than ever to bridge that gap. Here are some popular examples:
- Knowadays offers CPD-certified training in proofreading, editing, and writing skills.
- Coursera hosts a wide range of professional certificates in business, IT, healthcare, and more.
- edX runs university-level courses in technology, business, and education.
- Udemy is known for its affordable, practical courses in almost every field imaginable.
- LinkedIn Learning provides short, skills-based courses on everything from software proficiency to business skills.
- Google Career Certificates teaches job-focused skills for high-growth fields including IT, UX design, and project management.
Many platforms offer free trials or flexible payment plans, so you can get started without a big financial commitment.
4. Polish Your Professional Presence
When you’re ready to start applying, make sure your resume and LinkedIn profile are polished and current. In many fields, it’s also important to have a well-organized portfolio that showcases your work – whether it’s writing samples, design projects, marketing campaigns, or successful projects you’ve managed.
A skills-based resume is perfect for highlighting your transferable skills and relevant experience from past roles, volunteering, and personal projects. Tailor it to each job description, focusing on the skills that match the role. Including keywords from the job posting can also help it pass an applicant tracking system (better known as an ATS).
Many jobs are advertised exclusively on LinkedIn, so make sure your profile is up to date. Craft a compelling headline and a summary that outlines your experience, strengths, and career goals. Engage with industry groups and connect with professionals to expand your network. Consider asking former colleagues for recommendations to boost your credibility.
If you’re moving into a field where showcasing your work is important, a portfolio is essential. This is particularly valuable for roles in writing, design, marketing, project management, and software development. Here are some examples of fields where you might need a portfolio:
- Writing: Include your best articles, blogs, website copy, and content strategies.
- Design: Provide examples of visual projects, branding work, and digital mock-ups.
- Marketing: Your portfolio might include campaign results, social media strategies, and promotional materials.
- Project management: Show your experience with case studies, project timelines, and impact reports.
- Software development: Your examples can include coding projects, application builds, and software solutions.
If you don’t have samples to include, consider starting a personal project or volunteering to build your portfolio. This gives you real-world examples to showcase your abilities and demonstrate your expertise.
5. Use Your Network
If you already have a network of professional and personal contacts, don’t hesitate to use it:
- Reach out: Let friends, family, and former colleagues know you’re looking for a career change.
- Ask for referrals: Many jobs are filled through personal recommendations, so don’t be shy about asking for introductions.
- Attend industry events: Job fairs, networking events, and community gatherings can be great places to meet people in your desired field.
6. Explore Job Platforms and Niche Job Boards
While traditional job boards like Indeed and Glassdoor are great, don’t overlook niche job boards that focus on specific industries or types of work. For instance:
- ProBlogger and Contently for freelance writers
- Reedsy and Scribbr for proofreaders and editors
- Dribbble and Behance for artists and designers
- Idealist and CharityJob for people seeking roles in nonprofits and social-impact businesses
- FlexJobs and We Work Remotely for those seeking remote, flexible positions
Remember to set up job alerts so you’re immediately notified when new opportunities are posted in your chosen fields.
7 Career Change Ideas for Over-60s
Below, you will find a few ideas for career changes at 60 and beyond.
Bookkeeper
A bookkeeper records the daily financial transactions of a business and often helps with other financial tasks. Essential skills for this role are numeracy, computer literacy, and a good eye for detail. If you don’t have the necessary experience or relevant qualifications, there are lots of courses available, both in person and online. It’s always worth asking a local business for work experience to help you gain a better understanding of the role. If numbers don’t scare you, this career could be a great change for you!
Florist
If flowers and design are your bag, working as a florist could be just the thing for you! From making homegrown posies for a few hours a week to being employed by a big company producing imposing arrangements for major corporate events, there are lots of ways to enjoy working with flowers.
To change to a career as a florist, you’ll need some design flair, an eye for color combinations, and knowledge of how to store and care for cut flowers. A good route into working as a florist is a traineeship with an established business. Or if you already have basic business skills, you could just take the plunge and start your own shop or online floristry.
Virtual Personal Assistant (PA)
A virtual PA carries out the same tasks as an in-office PA but is often freelance, working for several clients. This remote role usually includes managing diaries and emails, making travel bookings, screening phone calls, and conducting project research.
To succeed as a virtual PA, you’ll need great organizational proficiency, some administration experience, good IT skills, and the ability to juggle and prioritize a variety of clients and deadlines.
Virtual PAs often start out using platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork to build a client base and earn those all-important five-star reviews. You can also find virtual PA jobs on various agency websites, such as Indeed and LinkedIn.
Dog Groomer
If you love animals and don’t necessarily want to work regular hours, you might consider becoming a freelance dog groomer. Dog groomers also work as employees in salons, but if you’re changing careers to find more flexibility, freelance dog grooming could be a good fit.
Dog groomers care for the animal’s coat, nails, teeth, and ears. You’ll need to love dogs, of course! You’ll also need to be calm around them and confident in handling them. The ability to communicate well with dog owners is important, too.
If you’re an experienced dog owner, you might already have practiced on your own dog, but if not, think about taking a course or a trainee role in a grooming salon before you decide whether to make this your new career.
Gardener
Many people in their 60s have been keen amateur gardeners for many years, and now might be the perfect time to put all that experience and knowledge to work. Professional gardeners undertake a wide variety of tasks in private gardens and public green spaces. These responsibilities can include lawn care, plant propagation, hedge trimming, weeding, and planting. Some gardeners also service garden machinery and carry out hard landscaping, such as laying patios and building garden features.
To be a good gardener, you’ll need extensive knowledge of plants. Growing conditions, care, watering, and pruning are a few of the specialized areas. You’ll also need to be happy working outdoors in all kinds of weather and be physically fit.
You don’t need formal qualifications to be a professional gardener, but there are plenty of courses run by accredited bodies (for example, these in the US and UK) if you choose to go that route.
Content Writer
Content writers produce written materials for clients, including social media posts, blogs, and website copy, and this is often a freelance role. Content writing offers great flexibility in when and where you work.
To be a great content writer, you need a creative mind; the discipline to keep to a brief or to write in a particular style; excellent grammar, punctuation, and spelling skills; and high-level communication abilities.
Getting started as a content writer might not be as daunting as you think. If you already keep a journal or write engaging posts on your own socials, you likely already have the basics of what it takes to succeed. But content writing is more than just the basics, and to make a career change fly, you could consider taking a course that will teach you how to adapt to a particular brand voice, gain knowledge of your audience, and optimize your writing for search engine results.
Proofreader and Editor
Proofreaders and editors are the final eyes inspecting an author’s work. They pick up spelling, grammar, and punctuation glitches and generally give the piece a polish. Many proofreaders and editors are freelancers, with all the benefits of flexibility and work-life balance that entails.
If you have a sharp eye for detail, the ability to concentrate, good IT skills, and a sound knowledge of grammar, punctuation, and spelling, this could be the career for you.
The best way to prepare for a new career as a proofreader and editor is to take a course. There’s more to it than just realizing you can spot the typos in the novel you’re reading, but if that sounds like you, just think how well you’d do with some formal training under your belt!
Become a Freelance Professional
If you’re thinking of a career change, our last piece of advice is to go for it!
Here at Knowadays, we have a wide range of courses that can help you launch a rewarding and flexible career at any age. You can even try them for free!
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