To try to start again at the bottom at 44 (career change)

[Careeria]

I'm 44 and an experienced accountant. I am bored and looking for a new challenge and I've seen an admin role offered at an institution (museum) which I've had a personal interest in for decades, am a current Friend of and would love to work for. However, it's nothing to do with accountancy- it's a general admin and fund-raising position. The pay is a lot less than I currently earn but I could afford the cut.

I've read through the essential criteria for the role and can make a good case for meeting them all (organisational and communications skills, professionalism, IT skills, relationship building etc.). They don't ask specifically for museum experience but they do want proof of an interest in the sector and knowledge of their work, which I have. However, I'm well aware that they probably have in mind someone much younger, perhaps looking for their second job in museum administration, and that's not me. I'm over-qualified, or perhaps better to say, oddly qualified for the role. I also have a completely unrelated doctorate- would it be better not to mention this if I apply?

I wondered whether anyone had made a move like this? It's a very prestigious institution so I imagine they will have a lot of applicants. I don't mind having a crack and can take rejection but I'd rather not look a fool.

If you can afford to make the cut financially, then why not? If you're unhappy and looking for a new direction this might just be what you need, make sure you study the criteria for interview and stress your transferable skills, of what there must be many, and go for it

Why would you look like a fool? Your application is what gets you the interview, if you're not successful, they aren't going to come knocking at your door to laugh at you, only you'll know

Go for it OP

People make downward career moves all the time - because they fancy a change or want a new challenge in a different area or just because they fancy stepping down from the pressure or responsibility of their current senior role. As long as you’re clear in your application that you recognise that this is step some way down and that you specifically want to make a career move and develop your experience in this new field then nobody going to think you’re an idiot and you won’t power overqualified in the sense they have to worry you’ve e.g. been made redundant and are just applying for anything you can but will leave the moment you find something better for you.

And I’d mention the doctorate where asked for qualifications etc but not make a big deal of it in your personal statement unless you’re drawing out how it / the experience of doing it / the skills you learned relate to this particular role.

I left my profession at 50 and have gone on to have a less lucrative but very enjoyable career in a field that interests me. Best decision I ever made. Just do it.