I am 65, with great credentials in my field, working as director at a nonprofit organization. My boss was let go last year and there's been a lack of leadership. However, recent forays into job searching have come up empty. I'm recruited and interviewed, but in the end, no offers. I have to think if I were 20 years younger this wouldn't be happening.

6 Comments

1. AnonymousJune 5,2024 at 5:43PM UTC

   Oh yes, indeed ! I’m trying to move around within my current company. I’m hoping they with let me see patients virtually from home. Another summer of home visits is upon me. 115 degrees is over my pay grade. I am 70.

2. Marcia SturtevantJune 5,2024 at 6:52PM UTC

   True and I don’t get it. We have so much learning/experience to give. I did not want a bosses job anymore but still wanted to work in the field. Gave opinions to new boss, no degree, a nighttime aid, and helped her to what!!!! She made sure I was made miserable, let go after I gave all and she was entrenched as boss…..and only immigrants were now her underlings and grateful for their jobs. No one went near the nonverbal but very hard women except me. No one could give drugs, drive can for pu or med appts. No one knew how to cook normal food or food shop/do menus. I could go on but I then did agency work of every kind, memory units to hospice. Worked from poorest to Supreme Court judges.

3. Cassie SpencerJune 5,2024 at 6:56PM UTC

   Often times I find with interviewing there are simple adjustments that can be made to how questions are being answered and what stories or examples someone is giving. Potentially switching up how you're preparing and practicing could help to turn more of those opportunities into offers.

4. Regina BrownJune 5,2024 at 7:38PM UTC

   You are not wrong. This generation should understand that at 65 we are not the type of women that "sit in the corner doing needlepoint and/or knitting", those lovely ladies were our grandmothers.

   BUT they should also understand that just like our grandmothers, we are these intelligent, confident and loyal women that will actually do the job and do it better than it's been done before. My suggestion, go o the AARP Job Board (https://jobs.aarp.org).

   They are a good source for those of us a little more "marinated" than the current job force.

5. AnonymousJune 6,2024 at 12:25PM UTC

   Yes age discrimination exists. But so do dysfunctional companies. We all of every age are struggling in the current market.

6. Tami L CannizzaroJune 6,2024 at 3:04PM UTC

   It could be ageism, or - and as someone in your category I'm throwing this out there - it could be something else. If you're like me, based on the experience shown on your resume and LinkedIn it's pretty easy for hiring managers to see we are not in our 20's. Yet you are still getting interviews! If they didn't want to speak with someone "of age" they wouldn't call you .

   So. It might be time to consider how you present during those interviews. This does include dress and energy levels, but also updated skills. Do you mention how many years of experience or other age-related things? How do you answer "where do you see yourself in 5 years?" Are you on-point with the latest industry trends instead of speaking of tried and true methods we've used in the past? Again, since I don't know you I'm not sure if any of this applies but wanted to throw it out there just in case because I've seen this happen with some of my clients.