to consider a change of career at my age? dh thinks so

[lilitaly]

i'm 43, and have worked in logistics/distribution for most of my life. in the last few years, it's been co-ordination duties for ad hoc projects - i do a lot of client facing stuff too - heavily focused on new business side of things (not at the sales side though, i can't sell!).

dh works for the same co. - warehouse work - that's how we met but we don't work on the same site, i'm at head office, and he's at one of the distribution centres.

a new (internal) vacancy has come up which they've decided not to advertise externally until after chrismas if they can't fill it. it's a role where the job title is as a business analyst - normally i wouldn't pay much attention to moving jobs as i'm quite content (if a bit bored) where I am - but i read the job description on the intranet on friday lunchtime and for the first time in years my heart gave a little flutter of excitement. it sounds like it's the sort of thing i've been moving into on an informal level for about 5 years, but technically i'm still under my same job title ('project co-ordinator' in my contract)

i want to apply, but i'm not sure if i'm being daft! and my stomach has been in knots all weekend about it.

Pro's are:
the actual duties involved aren't that far removed from what i'm expected to do already
training is covered (don't know what that entails though)
the starting wage is £19k more than i'm on right now
i'd apply as an internal candidate, so maybe a good reference from my boss would count strongly?

Con's:
job ad says international travel maybe needed (who'd look after the kids if i was away and DH was on shifts?)
i'm suspicious at the salary listed - either i've been underpaid hugely all these years or the duties involved are much more complex than i've picked up on?
i don't have a degree, so don't meet 1 of the essential bits of criteria
as DH says, would i be able to cope with extra pressure or training courses at my age? i haven't been in any formal eduaction for 20 years - what if i apply, get it, and can't cope?

am i totally mad to consider applying for this? i don't really have anything to lose - do I?

Apply, you really do have nothing to lose. Good luck.

I think you should go for it.

(ps i'm a namechanger obviously, i don'twant to risk my boss finding out that i am wondering about applying for a transfer when i donn't even know if it's a good idea yet.. just in case)

Doesn't sound mad at all! As you say, what have you got to lose? The idea that at the "grand old age" of 43 you'd be unable to cope with training courses is, frankly, ludicrous.

DO IT!

If you don't you'll regret it. You'll figure out the travel stuff etc as you go along.

Do it now!

Totally apply.

No harm in giving it a go - Good Luck! (And no way is 43 too old for a job change!)

Bue i think my problem is that i left school at 16, went on a few training courses (typing) in my early twenties - on paper i probably look stupid for wanting to apply

at least that's what DH said - he is supportive but he says i shouldn't get my hopes up because on paper i won't probably get past the application bit (even if i do warn my boss in advance and risk asking for a glowing reference to attach)

I'd go for it.

If you get a respectable pay raise then if you have to work away whilst you husband is on an inconvenient shift, then you can get an agency nanny/babysitter to cover childcare.

It sounds like a great opportunity if you're so excited about it :). Is there any way you could do some digging about whether the degree issue will stand in your way if you are a strong candidate?

You should consider how it may affect you if you are not successful as you will still presumably be working with the same people who chose not to appoint you in the new role. at your DH saying you might not cope with training 'at your age' you are 43 ffs not 90!

If you do go for it make sure your application is the strongest it could possibly be, consider getting it checked over by friends or trustworthy colleagues to ensure you are presenting yourself in the strongest light.

How old are DCs? With extra 19k surely you could afford CM or other childcare when needed?

Just do it! You have nothing to lose

So what if you don't get an interview? Doesn't matter does it! And who says you won't anyway

Apply!

I bet your DH would help spend the payrise!

Besides, applying for this sort of thing shows management that you are keen and wanting to progress, diversify etc so even if you don't get it it could open all sorts of positive dialogues.

It's possible that not having a degree will go against you at the first run-through of applications. But a well-constructed CV and a glowing reference from your boss might get you over that hurdle. You can only try.

You've got another 20+ in employment. It's a long time to stay in one type of career especially if you feel a little bored by it now, I'd go for it. You've nothing to lose by applying.

It is better to apply, risk the possibility of being unsuccessful but having no regrets about it than to not apply and always wonder if you'd have got the job.

Good luck!

'20+ years

The not having a degree is the main problem - it depends how flexible they are prepared to be. But you have been learning all your working life - learning doesn't finish when we leave formal education!

Focus how your current job has developed exactly the sorts of skills they are looking for, and how keen you are to build on those skills and to have the challenge of applying them in a new environment.

You husband might be right - they might say "no degree" and pop your application into their "filing" system. Or they might not - and you never know until you try!

Go for it and good luck!

Do it.

My previous career lost its shine after many years in the same field, even though I finally reached director level. At 42 I gave it up (at the same time I gave up my husband, mad eh?) and started a business in a field totally alien to me.

I'd have gone mad through boredom if I hadn't done it, even though the money was good I couldn't bear 20 years doing the same. 3 years down the line I've never regretted it, even though I'm not (yet) as financially comfortable. The challenge really brought me back to life.

What have you got to lose by applying?

Of course you can undertake training! I am currently retraining at the age of 38. We don't all have to get in that hamster wheel and go around and around in circles doing the same thing for ever more.

You have nothing to lose! One thing I would say is strongly match your core skills on your CV to those listed as essential in the job description.

There's nothing worse than beating yourself up over a 'missed opportunity'. So go for it !! The rest will fall into place.

There was an interesting comment radio 4 yesterday about changing carrers after a long time (in this case post redundancy) and one of the comments was that women don't apply for jobs because thay don't tick all of the boxes required, whereas men tick a few of the requirements and apply anyway.

Go for it (43 is certainly not too old to learn another skill or undertake training).

Do it !!!

My job title is Business Analyst. I have been in this position for a couple of years but before that I had posts that (in my view) had much more responsibility and where I had to manage staff - but I got paid far less.

I was wary of becoming a BA as I thought there must be more to it but found that a lot of the duties are based on good old fashioned common sense. I do not have a degree either (and it did ask for one in the job spec.) but, like you, I had experience of doing quite a lot of the duties in my previous post.

I am 49 by the way.

Go for it! See what happens. An extra £19k can pay for some childcare if needed. Good luck!