Are you too old to make a career change? Hint: the answer is no!

Are you too old to make a career change

An astonishing 71% of people see their work as just a job, not a career. If you feel stuck in a rut, is it too late for you to change careers? 

According to research carried out by Vodafone, people between the ages of 31 – 35 are most unhappy at work. A second study by GSM found that those over 34 believe they are too old to change careers.

This market is always evolving, meaning standard job requirements are becoming more flexible.  

Does the thought of spending the rest of your life in your current job break you out in a cold sweat? Chances are, you need a new job. Of course, this is easier said than done if you’ve worked your way to a good position and salary within a company.

Is your main concern starting again from the bottom? This doesn’t have to be the case. Over your time as an employee, you’ve gained various skills, experience and wisdom which is invaluable within the workplace. These skills are commonly referred to as soft skills, and are thought to account for 85% of job success!

Career change is not just for those who know what they want to do in life. Gone is the age-old mantra of sticking with a job in perpetuity - now replaced with a dynamic labour market. This market is always evolving, meaning standard job requirements are becoming more flexible.

  You should use the flexibility of the market to your advantage, exploring different job opportunities...

This is good news for those with family commitments, as employees now have the right to request flexible working arrangements. Many employers also offer variable shift patterns, the ability to work from home and part-time work to accommodate their staff members.

You should use the flexibility of the market to your advantage, exploring different job opportunities until you find what your heart truly desires. You may even end up in a career which you have never considered before, but find your skills and needs are matched perfectly.

Lack of confidence is another reason many people resist changing career paths. The best way to remedy this is by consulting with a seasoned professional, such as a consultant here at Just. We will be able to mentor you every step along the way of finding a new job, and we know how to turn a CV into a story; showing employers how valuable you really are.

Rather than ask yourself when the oldest age for switching careers is, sit and have a think about what you really want from the rest of your life. Rest assured, Just will always be there to help you through the process.

 

If you enjoyed this article, you may like:
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Published: 6 June 2025
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2025

Jobs currently available

New job
Procurement Specialist
Sector: Purchasing and Merchandising
Salary: Competitive
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913712
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing manufacturing business, based on the outskirts of Sudbury, to recruit a Procurement Specialist to join their growing team.

The key purpose of this role is to be responsible for the procurement of raw materials, packaging, and indirect goods to support production requirements and business operations. This role ensures cost-effective purchasing while maintaining high standards of quality and supplier performance. In addition to purchasing responsibilities, the role owns the material planning function, ensuring optimal stock levels, accurate forecasting, and uninterrupted material supply to meet production schedules.

Key duties include:

  • Source, negotiate and purchase raw materials, packaging and consumables to meet business needs.
  • Maintain strong relationships with existing suppliers and develop new supplier partnerships.
  • Conduct regular supplier reviews on performance, pricing, lead times and compliance with company standards.
  • Issue and manage purchase orders (POs) to ensure timely deliveries and cost control.
  • Support cost-saving initiatives without compromising quality or compliance.
  • Take full ownership of the material planning process across all SKUs.
  • Develop, manage and maintain the material requirements plan (MRP) based on weekly production schedules and forecasts.
  • Maintain accurate inventory levels of raw materials and packaging to avoid shortages or excess stock.
  • Collaborate closely with production, warehousing and quality teams to ensure alignment on stock availability and usage.
  • Monitor inventory trends and flag risks related to potential shortages or delays.
  • Create and maintain rolling forecasts for materials based on sales, production plans and market trends.
  • Lead the weekly forecasting process, collaborating with production planning and commercial teams.
  • Analyse historical data to improve forecast accuracy and responsiveness to demand changes.
  • Maintain accurate records in the ERP system.

This is an excellent opportunity to grow and develop with the team and business.

This role offers a positive work environment with free parking available on-site.

Due to the company’s location, you must have access to your own transport.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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New job
Warehouse Operative (with FLT licence)
Sector: Warehouse
Salary: £12.49 - £13.07 per hour
Location: Snetterton
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary
Job ref: JT-SNE-WO-0725
About the role

Just Temps is supporting a company in Snetterton, looking for a reliable and flexible Warehouse Operative with FLT licence to join their team.

This is a temp-to-perm opportunity role!

Hours:

  • Contracted: 8.00am to 4.30pm
  • Typical: 8.00am to 5.00pm (Monday to Thursday)
  • Early finish at 2.30pm on Fridays

This is a blended role — while FLT licences are essential, this is not a full-time FLT position. You’ll also be expected to handball stock, work on warehouse management systems, and assist across various departments.

Pay rate depends on your FLT licence:

  • PPT Operator — £12.49
  • Counterbalance / HLOP — £12.77
  • Bendi / VNA Driver — £13.07

What we’re looking for:

  • Valid FLT licence (Counterbalance, PPT, Bendi, VNA, or HLOP)
  • Willing to lift, shift, and get stuck in
  • Basic computer skills and attention to detail
  • A strong work ethic and positive attitude
  • Keen to secure a long-term, permanent opportunity

About the role:
You'll be supporting various warehouse operations. This includes:

  • Operating FLT as required
  • Manual handling and handballing
  • Data entry and stock checks
  • General warehouse duties

Free parking is available on-site.

 

Just Temps acts as an Employment Business for the supply of Temporary Staff.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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New job
Trainee Engineer
Sector: Engineering & Technical
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary to Permanent
Job ref: JT-IPS-TE-0725
About the role

Just Temps is seeking a Trainee Engineer for a well-established company based on the outskirts of Ipswich, Suffolk.

This is a dynamic role that combines technical expertise with customer service. You will have a passion for working with machinery and solving problems on the spot.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Service and maintenance: Supply, fit, service, and maintain compressors, pipework, receivers, dryers, and more!
  • Troubleshooting and repair: Diagnose faults, carry out temporary repairs when necessary, and ensure machines are running efficiently and effectively on-site.
  • Customer-focused: Engage with customers directly to discuss the best options for each job, offering expert advice and solutions. Once trained, you will become the face of the company, so a friendly and professional approach is essential.
  • Safety and PPE: Wear provided overalls and PPE (personal protective equipment) while working on various sites, some of which may be dusty or dirty.
  • Team collaboration: Work as part of a small but skilled team, sharing knowledge and ensuring jobs are completed to the highest standard.

What this role offers:

  • Full training provided: No experience? No problem! You will be trained to become an expert in servicing, including pipework, receivers and more.
  • Competitive salary: Dependent on experience.
  • 24/7 breakdown callouts: Once trained, you’ll rotate on callouts to assist customers in their time of need.
  • Company vehicle: After training, you will be provided with your own van for work travel. Until then, you'll travel with colleagues.
  • Work schedule: Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm (with flexibility depending on job requirements). No bank holidays or nights away!
  • Generous holiday: Enjoy 25 days of annual leave once permanent.
  • Company mobile: After completing your training, you'll be provided with a company mobile phone.
  • Uniform and PPE: All provided once training is complete.

Essential requirements include:

  • A full UK driving licence is required for the role, as you will need to travel to various sites.
  • The ability to work at heights is essential for some tasks.
  • Manual handling with the ability to lift and handle heavy items.
  • Thorough knowledge of machinery, with the ability to troubleshoot, repair, and maintain compressors.
  • Excellent communication skills - completing job sheets, communicating with customers, and signing off tasks on-site.

What’s the role like?

This is a practical, hands-on role where every day is different. From performing repairs on-site to assisting customers in getting their machines back up and running, no two days will be the same. If you enjoy solving problems, working with machinery, and meeting customers, this role is perfect for you.

 

Just Temps acts as an Employment Business for the supply of Temporary Staff.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more