Changing careers can feel risky, especially if you’ve spent years in the same role. Many people stay where they are not because they’re fulfilled, but because the thought of starting over feels overwhelming. The idea that it’s “too late”, that you’re “too old”, or that you’re already “too far in” can stop people from even considering a different path.

As a recruitment agency focused on building homegrown talent, we believe great recruiters can come from anywhere. We take people from all walks of life and give them the tools, training and support they need to succeed. Over the years, we’ve welcomed joiners, nail technicians, firefighters and more into the industry, helping them grow into confident, high-performing recruiters. Because the truth is, it’s never too late to try something new.

We spoke to Keeley, our Trainee Recruitment Consultant, who changed careers at 30 and has now been with us for almost a year. Her story proves that a career switch doesn’t always mean starting from scratch. It can mean building on the skills you already have, taking control of your work, and finally finding a role that really pushes you to grow.

So, what fuelled Keeley changing careers at 30?

For nine years, Keeley worked as a BMW Engine Assembler. It was a stable well-paying job, but she felt stuck.

“It wasn’t a bad job,” she says. “But there were no promotions. No progression. I was doing the same thing over and over again, and it just wasn’t pushing me anymore.

“I wanted more. I wanted a challenge.”

For Keeley, the work had become repetitive and the days started to blend together. After nearly a decade, she realised she wanted something different. It’s a familiar feeling that a lot of people can understand and identify with.

Many people wrestle with the same thoughts. When life feels comfortable and stable, why risk it all?

We see it all the time, people thinking about getting into recruitment but holding back because of the targets, the pressure, and the chance of failing. But just because there’s nothing inherently wrong with your current role doesn’t mean you have to stay. You can still feel unfulfilled, and sometimes recognising that is the first real step towards a career change. And trust us, it can pay off.

Is it too late to change career?

Keeley didn’t wake up one day with a lifelong dream of working in recruitment (who does?), but like many people considering a career change, she had questions. What else is out there? Is it too late to change career? What are the best career change jobs in the UK?

“I started looking for office jobs where I could actually make money,” Keeley explains. “Recruitment kept coming up. It’s a money game. You put more in, you get more out. That really appealed to me.

“I’m competitive. I want to do well. I liked the idea of progression, flexibility, and being your own kind of boss. It made me think, yeah…I could actually do this.”

At first, it was the earning potential that caught her attention. But as she looked into it more, recruitment started to feel achievable rather than intimidating. Even when the path seemed possible, doubt still lingered in the back of her mind, which is completely understandable. Starting again at 30 can feel daunting, and it’s not something anyone really prepares you for. Sometimes, learning something new can even feel like a step backwards while it seems like everyone else around you is moving forward. We get it.

“Starting again is scary,” Keeley admits. “But I kept thinking, if it’s not now, then when? I didn’t want to stay in a dead-end job just because it was familiar. I wanted to do better for myself. In my old job, you worked overtime or weekends if you wanted more money. In recruitment, you put the work in, and you get the return. That made more sense to me.”

Recruitment offered something her previous role couldn’t. Control.

In recruitment, there is often a clear pathway laid out from the very beginning. You start as a Trainee Recruitment Consultant, progress to Recruitment Consultant, then Senior, Team Leader, and even Director. It’s mapped out early on, so you know exactly what is expected at each stage. If you put the work in and hit the milestones, the progression is there. You are given the structure, support, and training to get where you want to be. Having that clarity puts you in control of your own growth. You know what you need to do, and the only person who can make it happen is you.

Starting a career in recruitment with no experience.

Keeley made her career switch to recruitment in February 2025 as a Trainee Recruitment Consultant and has now been with us for almost a year. Like anyone stepping into a completely new career, her first week was intense and full of information to take in.

“It was a lot of information,” she says. “But it was exciting because it was something new. I didn’t know how it was going to pan out.”

What stood out to her early on wasn’t just the training, but the people around her.

“The team were lovely, really welcoming. They talked me through everything. It was easy to get along with everyone.”

Keeley joined us with no previous recruitment experience, but our 12-week Talent Builder Programme gave her everything she needed to get started. The training combines classroom sessions, videos, call listening, and hands-on desk learning, giving new starters the chance to build confidence while learning the role properly. She got support from our internal L&D team, her manager and her mentor throughout the entire programme.

“It was intense, but it works,” Keeley explains. “If you don’t understand something, they’ll help you again and again and again. There’s a lot of patience. It made me use my brain again. I had to listen, take things in, and be accountable for my own actions.”

More than just a career switch.

Now over a year into her recruitment career, Keeley’s experience has gone far beyond a job change. She’s passed three reviews, earned her first promotion in over a decade, and reached milestones she never thought she would.

“It’s given me my personality back. I’m independent now. I’m not just a number. I’ve come out of my shell, talk to new people every day and do things I never would’ve done before.

“I passed my nine-month review and billed over £13,000,” she says. “I doubted myself a lot. But now I see what I can do, the sky is the limit.”

Recruitment pushed her to discover her full potential, something she had hidden behind comfort in her old job.

You’re never too old to change careers.

If there’s one message Keeley wants others to take from her story, it’s this.

“You’re never too old. It’s not a thing. Vera Wang didn’t become Vera Wang until she was 45. If you’re not happy, why would you stay in a job you’re not happy with?”

Her practical advice for anyone considering a career change with no experience is simple.

“Stay organised. Know where your work is, because it’ll come back to bite you if you don’t. And above all, don’t underestimate yourself. You don’t need to start again. You’re building on what you already have.”

Thinking about your next step?

If your current role isn’t challenging you anymore and you know you’ve got more to give, recruitment could be the change you’re looking for, just like it was for Keeley.

We get it though. Changing careers is a big decision. It can feel risky, a bit uncomfortable, and sometimes just easier to stay where you are. But if that little voice in your head keeps telling you there must be something more, it’s probably worth listening to.

You don’t have to make any big, life-changing decisions overnight. Have a look at our Join Us page, get a feel for what we’re about, or just have an informal chat with Cheryl, our Internal Recruiter. No pressure, just a conversation.

And if you’re thinking, why not, then send your CV over to jobs@niyaapeople.co.uk

At the end of the day, you miss the chances you don’t take.