To change career?

[CareerChangeConfusion]

A few weeks ago, after a particularly stressful week at work, I applied for a job in a completely different industry to what I’m in now (I’m an accounts assistant now and I applied for a tech role).

I’ve always been interested in tech and have been kind of considering trying to get into it for a while and I’m slowly working through some free courses.

I found out last week that I’ve been offered an interview for the job, and it’s really thrown me. It’s entry level so I don’t really need any experience but I just feel so completely inadequate.

It’s an amazing opportunity but I feel like I don’t know how I’ll manage the interview. I’m normally quite confident and I know nerves are normal but it feels completely over the top from a normal interview, I keep just thinking that even if I got the job I would be so completely out of my depth and mess everything up and I’ll be so much older than everyone else (I’m 36).

AIBU? I’ve been in the same job for ten years. Do I just need to get a grip or should I stick with what I know?

Congratulations on getting your interview! I haven't any experience in restarting in a new career yet, but am choosing to believe it is possible to at least try (and I've got a good few years on you...).

Not quite what you’ve asked but you might find the Mature Study and Retraining board helpful for perspective, here:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students

Perhaps your prospective new job offers training? Or perhaps it might be helpful to find a course / gain a qualification in the new area before trying to find a job, so you can start at a higher level and progress more quickly?

Your inexperience won't last. Your enthusiasm might. I'd go for it. I changed career at 30, never looked back. Good luck to you. IT pays too!

Definitely go for it. I recently had an interview and had to do a presentation without any notes or props/PowerPoint.

I'm telling you this because I was so nervous as I'd failed an interview because if a presentation before. At the end of the interview, she asked if wanted to clarify anything and I laughed and said 'no I don't think so, as anything I say at this stage will come out as waffle!'

I found out two days later that I've been offered the job. Go for it! You won't regret trying.

Go for it ! I’m 48 and had been in the same industry for over 20 years . Saw a job that really appealed to me , got an interview and was offered the job. Started in March and absolutely love my new role . I’m so glad I took the leap.

I was an office manager and moved into tech at 35, definitely go to the interview, what have you got to lose!

You’re all right, I know. I’m doing some prep for the interview now and I’m going to just try and ignore my feelings and go for it. I’m just so puzzled as to what changed between applying for it and now!

How are you finding it @justanotherlaura ? Do you like working in tech, and are you glad you made the move?

I think you should definitely go for it.

Can I be really nosy and ask what the role is? I'd like to get into tech, but have no idea where to start.