Your observations are spot on… and yes as older job seekers we can pivot and adjust our expectations… an we do… but asking the marginalised group to accept bias and discrimination is not the answer… thank you gor raising what is a very real issue
I can’t believe I am reading your analysis in the very week I decided it was time to completely leave the corporate job market.
I’m highly skilled and qualified and have led teams up to 300 in a fast paced career. I’m chronologically 61 but have great health and look and behave younger. All of a sudden my career has stopped. After 71 applications since January (1/3 never answered) I’m done.
I’m over the fake job applications, endless interviews picking my brain for free consulting, recruiters that chase to pitch me then ghost me with no feedback, and employers who start recruitment processes just to compare candidates to an internal who already had the job in the bag.
It’s time to choose a simpler life and look at other options. Thanks for sharing your commentary Bec -I appreciate it 🙏
Ageism is the most pernicious of the ‘isms’. I am a 56 year old woman and I have necessarily had to do all the things you outlined in your article since COVID. I’ve just landed a full time gig - much more junior than anything I’ve done in over 20 years but I don’t care as I know I can make a meaningful difference as does my employer. In addition I know there is longevity in this role. I’m lucky as I’m mortgage free - but I’ve spoken to countless friends and former colleagues who are experiencing the same. With respect how individuals call it out when seemingly companies have a work around for why you’re not the one. It’s systemic and ingrained. It’s a jungle out there.
I am a HR leader who will turn 65 next March and joined my current employer just on 2 years ago, after I was made redundant in an acquisition from a company I had worked I. For 23 years. My experience is that my new employer, in a sector I have never worked before, values my experience, perspectives and insight.
In my role, I see a lot of applicants much younger than me who come across as tired and lacking drive and enthusiasm. If recruiters are forming this view maybe we need to lift our game and demonstrate what we can drive to contribute to the company. Turn up for the job, not just a paycheck.
Are both men and women in that age bracket being seen equally? Often men are seen as being in their prime, bringing lots of experience but women are out of touch and less employable.
The mindshift for me was from thinking “hustling and getting hired” to “hiring myself by offering and broadcasting my value”—from employee to consultant, project-based freelancer, and blisspreneur/soulpreneur now.
You are soo right - I am 79 and believe it or not, I still work 5 days a week - I have an amazing manager and I know how privileged I am to still be working- I love working and I think I am good at what I do- can’t say the same about some of the young ones- not all, but to some it’s just a job- no care and no responsibility
50 is a great age to be and that’s when you are at your best
I have always hated HR- I wonder who thought that was a good idea!!!
I returned to nursing aged 50, emphasising in application & interview I would work full time, and probably 15yrs…as that timeframe rolls around mid next year, I consider your article to contemplate the number of starters after me (whether new graduates or seasoned) with longevity…and it is very few… yet there are still many who were already employed when I started.
Within the past 6 months, two 50yr olds have transferred from another site.
My points: ageism is rife, & younger are very mobile
The question is still unanswered, that is why do employers hire according to age? There must be valid reasons, probably technological, adaptability, energy etc. To frame it as discrimination is also accurate, but there is more to it. I am an older worker (63) and still lucky to have a job I enjoy, and to be honest, I think younger managers would rather manage younger people, it is easier to tell them what to do. Also some older workers I know are coasting a bit, it is normal, we are thinking about other things, like holidays and retirement.
I was part of a public service team that was "restructured" (sound familiar?) in March. All of us over 55 were made redundant. Everyone younger was kept on. I wasn't at all surprised, but age-based wisdom and experience is a liability now, not an asset. It's sad, but it's largely the way of the world in our "shiny and new" obsessed Western society and a fact of life we all have to be ready for.
Whilst in an ideal world it shouldn't happen, it does. Had my own experience of ageism at 53 after a short career break. The only thing that worked was a pivot to short term contracts and consulting type work as employers more willing to take a risk when not signing you up permanently.
This approach reduced my income by up to 25% p.a. in last 7 years and had to adjust my retirment plan. However, have really enjoyed myself and learned to embrace change so its been totally worth it. Retire at 60 next month.
I think it's important to note that as a Brit who migrated to Australia 20 years ago, I find Australians to be far less ageist than in the UK. Far more likely to look at you and your fitability than your age. Just retired at 59 yay!!
Public health services do not value experienced nurses, newly qualified are promoted and older experienced are ignored.
Your observations are spot on… and yes as older job seekers we can pivot and adjust our expectations… an we do… but asking the marginalised group to accept bias and discrimination is not the answer… thank you gor raising what is a very real issue
I wholeheartedly agree Erin.
I can’t believe I am reading your analysis in the very week I decided it was time to completely leave the corporate job market.
I’m highly skilled and qualified and have led teams up to 300 in a fast paced career. I’m chronologically 61 but have great health and look and behave younger. All of a sudden my career has stopped. After 71 applications since January (1/3 never answered) I’m done.
I’m over the fake job applications, endless interviews picking my brain for free consulting, recruiters that chase to pitch me then ghost me with no feedback, and employers who start recruitment processes just to compare candidates to an internal who already had the job in the bag.
It’s time to choose a simpler life and look at other options. Thanks for sharing your commentary Bec -I appreciate it 🙏
Good luck with whatever is next Maria. I so relate. I think SMB are a good place to start. Big corporations are the worst for again in my view.
Ageism is the most pernicious of the ‘isms’. I am a 56 year old woman and I have necessarily had to do all the things you outlined in your article since COVID. I’ve just landed a full time gig - much more junior than anything I’ve done in over 20 years but I don’t care as I know I can make a meaningful difference as does my employer. In addition I know there is longevity in this role. I’m lucky as I’m mortgage free - but I’ve spoken to countless friends and former colleagues who are experiencing the same. With respect how individuals call it out when seemingly companies have a work around for why you’re not the one. It’s systemic and ingrained. It’s a jungle out there.
I am a HR leader who will turn 65 next March and joined my current employer just on 2 years ago, after I was made redundant in an acquisition from a company I had worked I. For 23 years. My experience is that my new employer, in a sector I have never worked before, values my experience, perspectives and insight.
In my role, I see a lot of applicants much younger than me who come across as tired and lacking drive and enthusiasm. If recruiters are forming this view maybe we need to lift our game and demonstrate what we can drive to contribute to the company. Turn up for the job, not just a paycheck.
Are both men and women in that age bracket being seen equally? Often men are seen as being in their prime, bringing lots of experience but women are out of touch and less employable.
The mindshift for me was from thinking “hustling and getting hired” to “hiring myself by offering and broadcasting my value”—from employee to consultant, project-based freelancer, and blisspreneur/soulpreneur now.
You are soo right - I am 79 and believe it or not, I still work 5 days a week - I have an amazing manager and I know how privileged I am to still be working- I love working and I think I am good at what I do- can’t say the same about some of the young ones- not all, but to some it’s just a job- no care and no responsibility
50 is a great age to be and that’s when you are at your best
I have always hated HR- I wonder who thought that was a good idea!!!
I trust most HR personnel do not plan to work beyond 50 years of age ??
I returned to nursing aged 50, emphasising in application & interview I would work full time, and probably 15yrs…as that timeframe rolls around mid next year, I consider your article to contemplate the number of starters after me (whether new graduates or seasoned) with longevity…and it is very few… yet there are still many who were already employed when I started.
Within the past 6 months, two 50yr olds have transferred from another site.
My points: ageism is rife, & younger are very mobile
The question is still unanswered, that is why do employers hire according to age? There must be valid reasons, probably technological, adaptability, energy etc. To frame it as discrimination is also accurate, but there is more to it. I am an older worker (63) and still lucky to have a job I enjoy, and to be honest, I think younger managers would rather manage younger people, it is easier to tell them what to do. Also some older workers I know are coasting a bit, it is normal, we are thinking about other things, like holidays and retirement.
I assure you, I don’t coast- and I have holidays
I was part of a public service team that was "restructured" (sound familiar?) in March. All of us over 55 were made redundant. Everyone younger was kept on. I wasn't at all surprised, but age-based wisdom and experience is a liability now, not an asset. It's sad, but it's largely the way of the world in our "shiny and new" obsessed Western society and a fact of life we all have to be ready for.
Whilst in an ideal world it shouldn't happen, it does. Had my own experience of ageism at 53 after a short career break. The only thing that worked was a pivot to short term contracts and consulting type work as employers more willing to take a risk when not signing you up permanently.
This approach reduced my income by up to 25% p.a. in last 7 years and had to adjust my retirment plan. However, have really enjoyed myself and learned to embrace change so its been totally worth it. Retire at 60 next month.
I think it's important to note that as a Brit who migrated to Australia 20 years ago, I find Australians to be far less ageist than in the UK. Far more likely to look at you and your fitability than your age. Just retired at 59 yay!!