Would you change roles in your early 50s?

[CelesteM]

Hi, I’m currently working in a role I’ve been very unhappy with the last 6 months or so. Unfortunately one of my parents recently passed away so haven’t felt up to looking for a new job until now. I recently applied for a government management position and have the first interview next week. It’s a role that I would’ve been so excited about about 3-5 years ago, but now being in my early 50s, gone through menopause, had a marriage breakdown, busy teen children and lost both parents in the last few years, I’m not sure I want to go for such a high pressured role. I’m not really looking forward to the interview.
My current role was changed about 7 months ago from a busy management position to a very easy and low stress and quite boring role by my employer and I can’t see any room for promotion or salary progression. I really dislike the work I currently do, as well as the office location and also have little social connection. I’m a minority as a female over 50 most of my colleagues are in the 20-30s mostly male and feel I have little in common with them. I currently dread going to work to the point of waking in the night with anxiety and I try and wfh as much as I can.
This new role would be with a more diverse group of people and the work would be more interesting and challenging, but at the same time most likely stressful and I would have much more responsibility. The last few years I have felt like moving away from a high pressured job and move into easier part time work as I’m looking to retire at 60, so I am hesitant about this potential job. At the same time I think an easier part time job would bore me and this potential role would offer a better salary and benefits.
Should I go for this job or look elsewhere? Any suggestions to the type of work I could transition to? Thank you!

Do it. It sounds exiting and rewarding and you deserve it.

You don’t want to end up too stressed. Is there a sweet spot alternative job which is between current one and this?

Hi, I suppose I’m asking for suggestions of types of jobs for someone coming from a corporate management role. Or if I should stick to what I know and hang in there for another 6 years or so. A few of my friends have changed to easier part time work from high level careers and have not looked back. I’m at a lost of what type of work to transition to. Also, I realise it’s harder to find work in your 50s. Thanks!

A couple of guys I work with have gone part time as part of their retirement preparation. Another friend inherited money and was able to retire at 54. I'm 52 and I'll need to work through to my normal pension age.

You need to look at your financial position, pension etc. That will give you an idea ofyour options. But you've potentially another decade and a half to go.

Boredom can be as stressful as work being too busy, in a different way. It can be quite souk destroying.

What sort of role could you do? What interests you? Look at your existing experience and qualifications, see what other options there are.

6 years is too long to be in a boring job. Go to the interview and discuss the role; they have not offered it to you yet; see how you feel after the interview.

I also have to dig deep and start job hunting in my early 50s; can’t afford to retire and I am
being pushed out from my current role in a very corporate environment. I was bored to tears in my previous job and enjoyed the first few years in my current role despite the stress; they passed quickly.

Good luck

I would probably go for the more stressful role, earn more and retire earlier.

I changed role is my early 50s. But not due to retire till 66. Fifties isn't old in my view.

Apologies for my late reply. Could I ask what type of work you changed to? I know 50s is not old, I just don’t have that drive I use to have in my 30s and 40s. Also, working with people so much younger than me makes me feel really down. Out of a company of 200 about ten people are over 50.
I’m from Australia so cannot access my retirement superannuation until 60, so another 6.5 years. However, I imagine I would probably keep working at least part time until I was 65 and my children completely finished with university.

I did it and am now looking to step away after a couple of years, but I'm still glad I did it. I'm no .less happy than I was in my previous role, I got a couple of years on a good salary and I didn't lose anyhting by trying it. Staying in the miserable job would have been worse.