Changing professions after forty is much more common now than it used to be. Whether you are making a small or drastic career change, following the steps below can help you switch professions successfully.

Assess your current skills.

Make a written list of your current skills. Include everything no matter how minor. It is important for you to get an accurate view of the skills you’ve acquired over the years. Take several days to work on your list and write things down as they come to you.

Research other career possibilities via job listings and books.

If you don’t know what you would like your new career choice to be then take a look through the newspaper classified job listings, Monster.com, Hotjobs.com or CareerBuilder.com, or go to your local library or bookstore to look through some career guides.

Write out your career goals.

Write down the goals you would like to achieve in your new career. Be specific as possible when defining your goals. Your aspirations are like a road map. They will help dictate which direction your life will take as you move towards reaching them. You will accomplish your desired goals sooner and be more successful if you take the time to have a clear understanding of what you really want from your new career.

Speak to an academic advisor at a local college or university.

Determine if you need more education through college or vocational school. Call your local college or university and set an appointment with an academic advisor in your field of interest. They can help you determine if you need more education in order to pursue your goals. If you still have no idea what career you would like to pursue then you can speak to a general advisor who can point you in the right direction.

Join an organization that pertains to your new career interest.

There are several organizations that are built around careers. The organization can be very specific such as The Graphic Artists Guild or it can be a general organization such as American Business Women’s Association.

Many of these organizations host educational seminars and workshops. They also provide career support and networking opportunities that can be invaluable.

Talk to someone who is already working in the career you desire.

Do some research and find people who are working in the career field you want to enter. Write, email or call them and ask if you can set up an informational interview. Most people are willing to talk about their careers if they have the time available to do so.

Make sure your approach is not-threatening. Make it clear that you are only want to obtain information and not to steal anyone’s job!

Be willing to take risk.

Sure, you were a lot more willing to take risks in your twenties. More than likely you didn’t have a mortgage, kids, car payments and 401k to worry about. However, if you are committed to change then be willing to take the plunge into uncertain territory. Be willing to take a pay cut or a less secure job in order to get experience. If you are giving up a comfortable job that brings in a steady paycheck every week in order to pursue your dreams as a writer then make the realization in advance that you will no longer be able to count on that money going into your bank account on a regular basis.

Make a financial plan.

Even though you are going to have to take risks, a good financial plan can ease your career transition. Make sure you have money saved for the times you might not be earning money or for the times you are earning considerably less money. If you need to go back to college then you will need money to pay for it. Figure out if you will need student loans to pay for school or if you can pay for it yourself up front.

Come up with a budget to live on and make cut backs in areas where you tend to splurge. Although you must be willing to face the fact that sacrifices might be necessary in order to make a career change, you must also realize that certain things cannot be sacrificed. You will still need to eat and you will still need health insurance, especially if you have children. Factor these necessities into your budget.

Tell anyone who will listen about your new career goals.

Telling people you know or people you have just met about your plans to change careers can open doors for you. Let’s say you're at a party and you have just met someone. You tell this person about your intense desire to become a... She responds by telling you that she has a cousin that works in that industry and she suggests putting the two of you in contact with each other. This works brilliantly in your favor as you have now established a contact in the industry you wish to enter.

You never know who you will tell that possibly has a connection that can help you out or advice they can share to make your career transition go more smoothly. Be willing to open up to the people around you. Most friends, family members, and often time even complete strangers are very willing to lend a helping hand.

Be enthusiastic about your new career choice.

Maybe you don’t yet have the education or experience you need to make a career change, but being enthusiastic about a new career and sharing your interest and commitment to learn about a new occupation is a huge plus. Employers are interested in people who show passion.

Write a good resume.

You should do some research before writing your resume. Look at how other people have written their resumes. Read books on resume writing. After your have done your research, you will need to decide on the resume format you would like to use. It is important to include as much information as possible with as few words as possible. Make your resume concise and accurate. If you need help then hire a professional resume writing service.

Post your resume online.

In addition to sending your resume out to companies, you might also want to consider posting your resume on a job board. There are general job boards and job boards that are more specific to certain industries. This is a good way to make sure you are seen by as many employers as possible.

Remember that making a career change isn’t always easy; however, it can be very rewarding. When things seem overwhelming, remember to take it in steps. Rome wasn’t built in a day and your career change probably won’t happen in a day either. Seek emotional support from friends and family when you need it. Make sure to note all of your accomplishments, keep a positive outlook, and give yourself a pat on the back once in a while for all the hard work you’ve done.