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The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Best jobs to switch to mid-life without taking a pay cut & you won't need a degree – including £64k role
LOOKING for a fresh mid-life career start but don't want to take a pay cut or go back to university? Luckily, there are employers hiring NOW for roles where you can learn on the job and get paid up to £64,000 a year. We also reveal why men are more likely to shake up their careers in their 40s. Job satisfaction hits rock bottom in your 40s, based on a survey of 100,000 workers by the University of Surrey. At this age, workers are more likely to feel frustrated in their role and demotivated about their career path, the study showed. Men are particularly at risk of feeling the job switch itch. One in five men aged 44-59 is actively hunting for a new job, while 38% have thought about their career options, according to research from Standard Life. Mike Ambery from Standard Life said: "Lots of men in their 40s and 50s are taking a long, hard look at their careers, and thinking about making a change. "The idea of having one job for life with a traditional career pathway is fading fast. "These days, more people are favouring 'squiggly careers' – where they move between roles or industries over time. "That flexibility has advantages, especially as most of us will be working longer than previous generations." Ready for a change? Jobs site Adzuna has compiled a list of 15 jobs that are ideal for a mid-life career switch. These careers are best for job hoppers because they are available to a wide range of age groups, AND they offer attractive salaries. Plus, you don't need a degree to switch to these jobs, making them ideal for those who want to skip going back to university. Some require training, although many of the roles listed provide on-the-job training so you can earn as you learn - here's what you need to know. We've researched how much you can earn at the start of these new careers based on average salaries - and you may have to take a pay cut. But you can get the qualifications for some of the jobs through evening courses, so you don't have to sacrifice your existing salary. Highest paying roles hiring NOW The highest paying role that tops the list is a software developer. They create and test computer programmes used by workers. Surprisingly, there's no need to go to college in order to retrain. Instead, you can apply for an apprenticeship and earn on the job. The average software developer salary is £64,530. It's £26,000 for an apprentice. You can also study part-time through evening classes, so you don't have to pack in your day job. Some are free while others can cost over £2,000, with course lengths ranging from around 15 to 26 weeks. Visit the National Careers Service website to find an online or in-class course that works for your schedule. You'll typically be working a 37 to 40-hour week with occasional evening and weekend shifts - so it might not be the right fit if you need more flexible hours. You'll be well-suited to the role if you've got a keen eye for detail, have strong analytical skills and are proficient in coding. Best of all, there are plenty of roles going. There are currently 19,950 vacancies advertised. Next on the list is a project manager. You might think these roles are just in construction, but project managers can work in any industry and oversee projects from start to completion, ensuring targets are hit and budgets met. Salaries for this type of role average out just below £59,681. You'll be well-suited to a role in project management if you've got strong leadership skills, are well-organised and can communicate effectively. There is no need to carry out formal training to land a role, either. There are 39,298 vacancies for project managers available. Third on the list is an automation tester. Don't be put off by the technical-sounding name - this is someone who tests software to identify bugs or issues. Someone looking to get into this profession can do an online course in coding or even teach themselves. But you can also do apprenticeships and earn while you study, with them usually lasting 12 to 24 months. The maximum grant you can get from the government to cover your apprenticeship is £18,000. Individuals who enjoy problem-solving, have a knack for detail, and possess strong analytical skills are well-suited to this role. You might have to fight for a job though - there are just 19 vacancies advertised on jobs sites. Fancy being a sparkie? Electricians earn around £48k a year once fully-qualified. You'll work up to 45 hours a week and may need to respond to customer call-outs across a specific patch. The most popular way of making it into this profession is via a college course, which can cost up to £7,000 or an apprenticeship, where you'll earn around £24k a year at the start. You can also take part in flexible courses that fit around a full-time job - some let you study on weekends and others in the evening. Just expect to pay from around £1,000 to upwards of £6,000, depending on who is running the course. There are around 14,367 roles available for electricians. Next on Adzuna's list is a data analyst. They collect, organise and study data to solve business-related problems like how revenue can be increased. You'll find these types of roles across different sectors, including healthcare, technology and retail. You don't have to go to university to land a role as a data analyst either - you can get there via an apprenticeship route. You'll likely be suited to this role if you've got strong analytical skills and are good at maths. It comes with a steady pay packet too - just over £46,000 a year - and there are currently 12,622 roles being advertised. Apprenticeship salaries range between £18,000 and £25,000. The jobs where you can earn up to £44k Next up are plumbers, who can earn around £44,826. Anyone good with their hands and who hates the idea of being bolted to a desk is well-suited to this role. One of the best routes to being a plumber is via an apprenticeship, where you'll start off on an annual salary of around £24,000. Your daily roles will involve installing and repairing water and heating systems in homes and commercial buildings. You'll typically work up to 45 hours a week. There are 6,490 roles currently available - so apply now. Watched Selling Sunset and think you can do better? Why not try being a real estate agent? The average salary is £43k a year. STEVEN Eden went from working in the army to earning around £43,000 as a lorry driver. The ex-soldier and dad-of-four in his late 40s from Wigan now works for Asda, hauling food to stores, unloading and reloading empty cages, after making the switch in 2021. He used to work in the army, where the average salary is much lower at £30k, according to the jobs site Indeed. He said: "I can have the radio up, I'm my own boss. It's me all over, and it's so rewarding. "I'm doing good for other people, filling people up [with food]. I like the manual bits of taking the frozen food off. 'And I've got a few driver friends – they're all in good spirits.' It took Steven about 12 months to do his training, including getting his HGV licence, but he reckons it can be done in as little as three months. He then had a two-week breathing period before being buddied up with another driver. 'You don't get chucked in the deep end,' Steven added. But within six weeks, he was signed off and ready to go on the road on his own. He said: 'That was a good feeling. It was a big step - I was made up.' To become a lorry driver, you'll usually have to be over 18 and comfortable with working alone on the road. You'll need to have a full car licence and a professional qualification called the driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), which means you can be a commercial driver. You will also need to pass your HGV driving test, with the costs of training up to £2,000. However, there are not-for-profit organisations, like Veterans into Logistics, that work with ex-military to cover these costs. The job involves assisting clients in buying and selling their homes, guiding them through the process from start to finish. You might also have to find rental properties for someone to move into, or help a landlord source tenants. One major perk of becoming an estate agent is that you don't need a formal qualification to land a job. You could also be a claims handler, which is someone who assesses and processes insurance claims. They review documents and investigate whether someone is owed a payout, and how much. Expect to earn around £41k in the role once you're qualified, but you'll start on around £17,000 if you're going down the apprenticeship route. There are 16,559 roles, suited to someone with a keen eye for detail, available right now. Next up is an accountant. Most people will be familiar with this job, which comes with an average salary of £46,160. Bag this job and you'll be employed by organisations and private clients to audit financial accounts and provide advice on where money could be better spent. You can learn to become an accountant as an apprentice, earning anywhere from between £17,000 to £26,000. You'll be suitable for the role if you've got strong numerical and analytical skills. There are loads of accountant jobs out there as well - 23,931. Account managers, who build relationships with existing clients and source new ones to drive sales, also feature. Land this job and you could end up earning £45,069 a year, and you won't need any formal training. Someone who is naturally extroverted and competitive will do well in this type of role, of which there are 56,022 roles currently available. A pipe fitter, as the name suggests, installs and repairs industrial pipework, valves and sprinklers in factories, commercial properties, ships and larger buildings like power stations. You can earn £42,308 in this job, which most people get into via the apprenticeship route, which pays around £18,000 at the start. But jobs are few and far between - 2,512 according to the latest data from Adzuna. How to smash an interview LEE Biggins, from CV-Library, gives his top tips for nailing that all-important job interview. "To smash any job interview, start by doing your homework - research the company, prepare solid answers, and think about how your past experience links to the new role. "Whatever your age or background, employers want to see a willingness to learn, passion for the role and industry and an adaptability to thrive. "This matters even more when switching careers. "Show the employer you're eager, driven, and ready to get stuck in. "Make sure your CV is well tailored to the role and highlights your transferrable skills and proves why your experience makes you a great fit. "Remember, you're up against people already in the industry, so come prepared with industry knowledge and a fresh perspective may set you apart." Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers transport goods from one location to another, earning on average £40,981. You become an HGV driver by obtaining a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), which costs between £400 and £500. You get one of these by passing five tests and taking 35 hours of Driver CPC training every five years to stay qualified. There are currently 6,842 of these roles available, well-suited to anyone who enjoys routine and has the ability to drive for long stretches of time. Meanwhile, a car salesperson primarily sells cars to customers but may also organise test drives in order to drive business. Someone in this type of role earns on average £40,139, without any formal qualifications needed to get started. A sales advisor focuses on direct customer interaction, often in a retail or sales setting, driving sales to a business. Someone in this role will earn on average £37,684 a year, with 38,798 of these jobs currently available on the market. A recruitment agent is essentially the same as a salesperson, acting as a bridge between job seekers and employers to fill open positions within businesses. There are currently 28,649 of these roles in the market, which pay on average £36,247. You'll do well as either a sales advisor or recruitment agent if you're outgoing, talkative and naturally persuasive. Why switching to one of these jobs could pay So why are these 15 jobs so worth changing to in later life? Sarah Carroll, career expert at Indeed, said a lot of different sorts of skillsets can be applied to these roles, making them easy to switch to. "Employers today increasingly value transferable skills, experience, and resilience - all qualities mid-life professionals can bring in abundance." Some of the roles are across sectors experiencing major growth in the UK, like logistics and construction. Lee Biggins, founder and chief executive officer of CV-Library, said: "With a £500billion investment into UK construction and a surge in logistics and warehousing, there could be endless opportunities to upskill." Lack of time is a major stumbling block for workers looking to shift their careers mid-life too, but of the list above, plenty offer on-the-job training so your budget won't take too big a hit. Lee added: "Plenty of roles offer on-the-go training, apprenticeships or even sponsorships. "Or, you can use AI tools like ChatGPT to provide you with industry-rich knowledge needed to quickly access the industry you're looking to switch to."
Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
What To Do When You're Bored At Work, But Still Like Your Company
If you're bored at work, you may need to find your why Feeling bored at work is a common challenge for leaders and their teams. In fact, research by Lotta Harju, professor of work and organizational psychology at Emlyon Business School in France, found that between 40% and 50% of employees were either bored or exhausted at work. Being bored at work is a problem – because it can lead to reduced engagement, job dissatisfaction and even mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Overcoming a sense of boredom is not necessarily straightforward for leaders, however – especially if they fundamentally like the organization they work for and don't want to leave. So, what should they do when they're bored of their job, but still like their company? 1. Find new meaning 'Feeling bored at work is a signal,' says Katia Vlachos, a reinvention coach and author of Uncaged: A Good Girl's Journey to Reinvention. 'It's most likely your mind telling you you've outgrown something and need to evolve. Instead of looking for ways to jump ship, it helps to start by diagnosing the root of your boredom. Have you outgrown the role? Do you no longer find meaning? Or maybe you don't see a clear growth path.' Vlachos believes that if you still like your organization – whether it's because you're aligned with its values and vision, have built strong relationships or appreciate the work-life balance – it's worth exploring internal solutions before considering another job. So, how do you do that? 'Start by reconnecting with what once energized you,' Vlachos advises. 'What did you enjoy before in your job that's missing now? Then you can have an honest conversation with your manager and be specific about the kind of challenges or projects you're interested in and how you can contribute beyond your current role.' Vlachos recommends using your connection to the company as leverage. 'You're already invested in the culture,' she points out, 'which gives you a strong foundation to propose changes.' 2. Build new relationships 'Boredom often stems from a lack of growth, so don't be afraid to volunteer for projects outside your usual scope, take on leadership roles or ask for more responsibility,' advises Paul Grant, a serial entrepreneur and co-author of Personalities Remixed. 'It may be that your work feels repetitive, so don't be shy in suggesting ways to improve processes or introduce fresh ideas, as most companies will appreciate proactive employees who drive positive change.' Grant suggests that networking within your organization can help you to build relationships with colleagues from different departments, allowing you to find new interests or potential internal opportunities you hadn't considered. You could also explore passion projects, which might include freelancing or entrepreneurial ventures outside of work that can add excitement and even lead to new income streams. 'Sometimes, a fresh perspective is all you need,' notes Grant. 'Focus on the impact of your work, find ways to make tasks more enjoyable and express gratitude for the positives in your job.' 3. Own your development 'Boredom often arises when work is too easy, while burnout is the result when tasks are too demanding relative to your current skillset,' says Gaelle Devins, an executive coach and strategic consultant and author of Flow Leadership: Unleash the Power of People, Purpose and Performance. 'Aim for the sweet spot – your zone of natural excellence, where you're stretched, but not overwhelmed.' Devins recommends mentoring others – both in your own department and across the company – as a way to reinvigorate your enthusiasm and offer fresh learning opportunities. She also emphasizes the importance of taking ownership of your current and future development. 'Craft a personal vision and growth plan that aligns your strengths, needs, and career goals with your organization's wider purpose,' she suggests. 'Continually practicing curiosity and proactivity is the key to shaping your role into something that continues to excite and inspire you.' 4. Find your why 'If you're feeling stuck, especially in a role you once loved, it may be because your why has changed without you realizing it,' suggests Josephine McGrail, a wellness coach and author of The Morning Miracle, Messages of Love, and Fall in Love with You. 'What once inspired you may no longer align with who you are today, and that's not evidence of failure – it's growth.' The first step, says McGrail, is to pause and check in with the version of yourself that exists right now, not the person you were when you took the job or made that last big decision. Ask yourself: What gets me out of bed each morning? What do I live for? What do I need in order to support and strengthen that drive? How can I best support myself through this transition? 'These questions help clarify your current purpose and uncover what needs to shift,' argues McGrail, 'whether it's your role, responsibilities or mindset.' Once you gain that clarity, you will be better equipped to communicate your needs with calmness and confidence. 'This isn't about dissatisfaction,' says McGrail, 'it's about realignment and growth, for both you and your organization. When you can clearly articulate what matters to you now – this new version of you – you automatically gain the power to navigate change with purpose. You stop chasing outdated goals and start designing a future that reflects who you are today.' 5. Tell your own story 'Sometimes your career can be like a failing relationship,' says Sarah Bird, author of Nail Your Narrative: How to Use Storytelling to Reinvent Your Career in Midlife. 'You don't feel the same as you did starting out and you're wondering why you've stayed so long in a situation that isn't serving your needs. Whether you believe your career is driven by careful planning or serendipity is simply a matter of perspective. It's important to be ready and resilient for your next move by telling the right story to the world – and to yourself. Bird argues that stepping back to look at that narrative can fast-track reinventing your career. What's your North Star? Who has influenced you? What are your values, frustrations and priorities? 'No experience is ever wasted,' notes Bird. 'Even a dull patch could form part of a red thread that leads to the job you were destined for all along.' Bird advises asking yourself regularly what you want out of your working life. 'Play word games to describe your situation in 12 words every day,' she says, 'and it will help you build towards your ideal work future in your mind.' Bored at work? The reality is that most people feel bored at work, at least some of the time. Not every workday can be full of exciting new challenges and most roles involve routine elements. While it's difficult to avoid boredom altogether, what's key is to minimize it. By proactively seeking out new projects and investing in self-development, you will further your own growth and help to keep boredom at bay.
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Surprise! Four-Day Work Weeks Make Employees Happier, Productive
The evidence is growing that a shorter work week is better not just for workers, but for employers as well. The largest-ever study of a four-day work week found that employees working fewer hours weren't just happier, but they also maintained productivity and had better job satisfaction, according to an article on the study published by Scientific American. In fact, the four-day work week was so successful that most companies kept the reduced schedule even after the study ended. Published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, the study looked at 2,896 employees at 141 companies in the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom. Shorter Week, Less Stress Before shifting to the reduced four-day work week, companies involved in the study restructured their workflow to maintain 80% of a worker's weekly productivity by eliminating activities like unnecessary meetings. Some researchers suspected that the condensed schedule would lead to more stress for workers who hurried to get their tasks completed in time. 'When workers want to deliver the same productivity, they might work very rapidly to get the job done, and their well-being might actually worsen,' said lead author Wen Fan, a sociologist at Boston College in Massachusetts, in the Scientific American article. 'But that's not what we found.' Overall, workers felt better job satisfaction and reported better mental health after six months of the study. And while the study didn't look at whether companies' productivity levels dropped, it did say that 90% of companies kept the shorter work week even after the trial ended, indicating they weren't worried about a dip in profits. The study did leave some questions unanswered. For example, since employees self-reported the results, researchers wondered whether they over-emphasized the positive benefits in an effort to retain the extra day off. Read the original article on Investopedia
RNZ News
21-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Study reveals positive impacts of four-day work week
employment 10 minutes ago A new study has revealed a four-day work week can improve employee wellbeing, confidence and job satisfaction. Umbrella Wellbeing Principal Psychologist Dr Dougal Sutherland spoke to Corin Dann.
RNZ News
21-07-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Four-day work week reduces burnout and improves job satisfaction
Paula O'Kane, from Otago University's business school, says global research shows work structures need a rethink. Photo: Dave Bull Working a four day week reduces burnout and improves job satisfaction, a new study has found. The research out of Boston College in the United States tested the effect of reducing employees hours to a four-day week with no reduction in pay. The study held six-month trials reducing the working hours for 2896 employees across 141 organisations in Australia, Canada, New Zealand , the UK, Ireland and the USA. The outcomes of the trials were then compared with 12 control companies that did not transition to the shorter work week. The researchers found that employees with a reduction of eight hours or more per work week self-reported experiencing larger reductions in burnout and improvements in job satisfaction and mental health, as compared with those at companies that maintained a five-day work week. A small change in physical health was also seen, but the researchers said they expected this was less significant because changes in physical health take time to manifest. Paula O'Kane, from Otago University's business school, said it was good to see growing evidence that reductions in working hours could significantly impact well-being, reduce burnout and improve job satisfaction. "While the study centred on a four-day week, the broader implication is clear: flexible and potentially individualised working arrangements can deliver similar benefits," she said. O'Kane said research globally was showing that work structures needed a rethink. "Traditionally, time spent working is used as a proxy for productivity, when in fact better rested and healthier people can be more productive in less time," she said. "Moving forward it would be really good to think about output based measures of production and productivity - making sure that we understand what it is we want our employees to do in a week rather than how much time we want them to spend at work," O'Kane said. She said the traditional 9-5 did not work for everyone and there was a growing body of evidence that non-traditional models of working were in fact working better for people. She said it was also already clear that the younger generation would be demanding more flexibility. "If we look at the students that are coming through university and looking at how they operate their lives, they are going to want flexibility," she said. "We can see it already, they're not going to accept the traditional structures." She said organisations would have to start thinking about organising work structures differently if they wanted to keep attracting top talent in the future. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
