Don’t underestimate how many transferable skills you have at 40

If you’re around 40 and feeling like you need a change in your career, one of the first things that can stop you in your tracks is this thought:

“But I don’t have the right experience for anything else.”

Let’s clear that up right now: you absolutely do.

You’ve got 20 years of real-world experience behind you.

You’ve navigated teams, managers, deadlines, politics, conflict, collaboration, pressure and progress.

And along the way, you’ve built a toolkit of skills that are deeply transferable - even if you can’t immediately see them.

Here’s why you might be underestimating what you bring to the table and how to start seeing your career with fresh eyes.

You’ve built more than a job title - you’ve built capability

You might describe yourself as a Marketing Manager, Operations Lead or Project Manager. But underneath the job title you’re also:

• A communicator.

• A problem-solver.

• A leader (even if unofficially).

• A mentor.

• A negotiator.

• A strategist.

• An organiser of chaos.

• A translator of complex ideas.

• A calm head in high-pressure moments.

These aren’t niche skills. These are human, professional strengths that apply across roles and industries.

You’ve done hard things and come out stronger

Think about it - have you ever:

• Navigated a major restructure?

• Kept things running when someone left suddenly?

• Presented in front of a sceptical room and won them over?

• Managed tricky personalities without losing your cool?

• Balanced work with parenting or caring?

Then you’ve already proved you’re adaptable, emotionally intelligent and resilient. Those are valuable career assets that not everyone has.

Experience = wisdom

In your 40s you bring a mix of confidence, perspective and grounded thinking that younger professionals are still building.

You’ve seen cycles - you know when to push and when to pause. You bring clarity, not chaos. You know how to spot a red flag, when to speak up and how to bring people with you.

That kind of emotional and professional maturity is hugely valuable in today’s working world.

You’re allowed to refresh without starting from scratch

Career change doesn’t have to mean throwing it all away.

It might mean:

• Using your existing skills in a different industry.

• Moving sideways to get unstuck.

• Going freelance with what you already know.

• Finally owning the value you’ve quietly built over 20 years.

People often tell me, “I’d love to do something else, but I don’t think I’m qualified.”

But they’re more than qualified - they just need to look at their career through a different lens.

Ready to look differently at what you’ve got?

You don’t need a whole new CV - just a clearer sense of your own value.

To help with this, I’ve created a free Career Clarity Quiz.

In 10 minutes you’ll get clear on your top 1-3 career must-haves which is a great starting point for what comes next.

Get your free quiz now