As the normal retirement age continues to increase (in 1937 it was 65 and today it is 67) you have longer to work than ever before and more time to make a career change or decide what you want to do as you plan for retirement, so make your career choices count.

Tips for a Smooth Career Transition
Dust off your resume!
It's always a good idea to keep your resume current. A good rule of thumb is to add a new job right after you start and continue to make resume changes as your job duties change. Similar to a performance evaluation, include your big wins or results from projects you have been assigned. It is always easier to make updates as they happen rather than right before you want to apply for that dream job.

Uncover your potential.
Identify your strengths and weaknesses. Analyze what you like to do and what makes you unhappy about your current position. In order to advance in your career, do you need to take more classes? Do you need to brush up on skills? What will get you to the next level? Or if you want a complete shift in career, research the necessary qualifications to get you there.

Create a financial strategy.
Work with a financial advisor and express your desire to retire at the market's normal age or even earlier, if you wish. A financial strategy takes into account your interests, your goals during retirement, how you have been saving (aggressively or conservatively?) and your projected future income and bills.

Reconnect with former colleagues.
Learn what your friends are doing and what they like about their current positions and companies. Online networking communities are a great resource for finding former colleagues and making new connections in your desired field. You may find that you like something completely different than what you are doing.

Use the Center to find the career you have always wanted or outline a future you can see yourself living.