I have been a faithful employee for 27 years.Ii have applied for 37 jobs within the company to earn more income and gain more skills.

23 Comments

1. AnonymousJanuary 28,2024 at 5:07AM UTC

   Quite frankly you know when it's time when you want more. It's not an age thing so much as a need for more. It's a feeling inside that you are,no longer in the right place...that there's something missing. Some people call it a hunger.

2. Laurie GrayJanuary 28,2024 at 1:57PM UTC

   As a fellow over-50'er, how much have you kept up on new technologies and trends and skills outside of your defined job role and align to your new roles?

   If the answer is a lot then it may be time to walk away because you're marketable and perhaps your employer IS demonstrating some agesim.

   However if the answer is not much much, start there and focus on building new skills and capabilities TODAY. The job market is BRUTAL at the moment and those new skills and capabilities will help you regardless of where you are working.

   Also consider this advice that a similarly-aged friend gave me recently: work doesn't have to be your passion. Work can be the means to the end to support your passion. So, if you are feeling unfulfilled at work, consider ways to experience fulfillment outside of work. My friend has written two books and does a lot of public speaking, but keeps that day job to cover the income and benefits that he needs for daily living.

3. AnonymousJanuary 29,2024 at 3:15PM UTC

   My friend told me years ago: "You can't be a Messiah in your own country". I have advised numerous colleagues who are not promoted at the organization "You have to go work someplace else and then you become magically desirable".

4. Terri Andrews GutierrezJanuary 29,2024 at 4:53PM UTC

   A similar phrase is "you're never a profit in your own camp."

5. AnonymousJanuary 29,2024 at 5:51PM UTC

   When you know you have enough in your savings account to retire with the help of social security. As an alternative if you truly think ageism is at fault here, speak up, ask for more challenges and to be stretched in terms of your expertise and let leadership know you are not ready to be put out to pasture. Older workers work hard and have lots to offer and should be revered but in some companies they are not. If you cannot feel that wanted there perhaps go over to their competition and seek work at that company instead.

6. AnonymousJanuary 30,2024 at 1:26PM UTC

   Unlike your employer indeed you have been faithful and you are way better than me, because I would have exited the organization a long time ago. I know a lot of advisers might say you should have a discussion with your employer but you and I both know you must have done than. Being 50 and searching for a new job shouldn’t be a stigma as long as you mentally and physically healthy enough to deliver at your role. I wish you all the best.

7. Dr. Deonna Moore TaylorJanuary 30,2024 at 1:54PM UTC

   It’s time to walk away when you’ve applied for 37 positions and you’re in the same position. If you’re not getting what you need, it’s time to make a move. Nina Simone said it best - leave the table when love is no longer served. Wishing you the best.

8. ChrishoggJanuary 30,2024 at 2:17PM UTC

   In case you've not heard it before, do a little research and find and consider the answer to this question: When is the best time to plant a tree?

9. AnonymousJanuary 30,2024 at 2:31PM UTC

   I'm reading this a bit different than others -- I see that you fear you've been blocked because you do your job well, then note that you're over 50. The first being the reason, the second being a note as to why you might be hesitant to walk away.

   Doing your job "too well" can definitely block advancement in certain companies. I've seen it happen to others and I've experienced it myself. After 10 years at a company with no promotion (I lobbied for it and applied for many other jobs), I finally left. I later learned they needed THREE people to replace me.

   Being over 50 myself, I don't feel old - I feel experienced and valuable. However, as I'm also currently looking for a new job, I am very aware that others might see me as old. Those are people I don't want to work for.

   As other said, if you think it might be time to go, then it's time to go. Start looking while you're employed and hang in there ... you've got this!!

10. AnonymousJanuary 30,2024 at 4:08PM UTC

    I do think if you’re over 50, you do need to consider how long you plan/want to work before retirement. If you’re someone that wants to retire at 65, for example, starting from scratch at a new company could be worse in the long run even if there is an initial bump in pay especially if you’ve been with a company for 20+ years. You’ve likely earned some perks that may not exist if you step aside. Just an additional consideration.

11. Vena MooreJanuary 30,2024 at 2:34PM UTC

    I'm in a similar boat.
    Been at my current employer for nearly 7 years and was just passed over for a promotion for the second time. I'm also over 50. I don't need to stay at my job for 27 years and apply for 37 different jobs to know that they don't value me. In many of my jobs, I've been regarded as high performing and went above and beyond my job description. However, in the long run, I've done myself a disservice because less qualified people have been promoted over me and it's shortchanged me financially. We don't owe our employers anything because they've shown they aren't loyal to us. I'm searching for other employment as we speak. I'm aware that due to my age and other intersections (I'm not white), it could take a long time but it's better than being continually disrespected.

12. AnonymousJanuary 30,2024 at 5:19PM UTC

    I was in a similar situation 2 years ago. I had been with the company for seven years. Had been encouraged to apply for internal openings several times and every time, after going through a six months application process I was told that they would love to give me the other position but I was too valuable in my current position and so I did not get it. After that happening 4 times I complained, they promised me a promotion and when the time came to announce it, the promotion was given to someone else. That's when I realised they were stringing me along... and so I resigned. I then took a leap and took a position that was very different with a very steep learning curve and a little less money.

13. AnonymousJanuary 30,2024 at 2:49PM UTC

    Need more info ... Did you get any of the 37 jobs? Did you do anything outside of the company to gain more skills such as certifications, etc.? Why do you feel blocked? If you do your job well, what is the issue?

14. Maggie StoneJanuary 30,2024 at 3:25PM UTC

    I agree. I think I need more info. Were you interviewed for any of these positions? Offered any of these positions? Anything else that could be blocking you like performance issues, education, experience, or training? We’re you perhaps overqualified? But I do think that if the company is not supporting your advancement, it may be time to move on.

15. AnonymousJanuary 30,2024 at 4:05PM UTC

    You can always test the waters and see what the interview process looks like. Keep in mind that if you are in a job where seniority has supported any part of your package including your salary, you may not get that with a brand new role. You also want to think about the long-term picture. Does your current job set you up for retirement as is or are you in need of higher pay immediately to build savings? If you changed companies to somewhere without a 401k would that be a problem? What about healthcare etc?

16. AnonymousJanuary 30,2024 at 7:31PM UTC

    1. Jobs being blocked because one is needed in ones current position is pretty much par for course, and even stated policy in multi nationals

    2. 37 rejected applications does seem like a bad sign. There may be other reasons, besides your current position. Maybe look into that.

    3. I've found the easiest way to get a raise or better title is to move to another company.

    4. Is your boss aware of this situation and can you get further answers there.

    Edit: some multi nationals, I can only speak from my experience and that of people I know.

17. AnonymousJanuary 30,2024 at 9:18PM UTC

    It may be that 37 applies over 27 years includes applying in an automated system at a larger company. In my experience, very often in house posted positions might be in different stages of the hiring process, may have persons already identified, and/or may need to be posted per company policy despite being something else, like already filled by planned internal promotion. So try not to take it personally if you get a lot of auto rejections out of the gate or were not asked to interview or where you got through to be interviewed and they went with the other candidates. It sounds like you need some challenges and are looking to show your skillset in new areas and grow. So I agree that discussion of development activities and stretch assignments with your manager will show you are willing to embrace new skills and looking to make change. Also continue networking as you likely have developed a broad group of allies who know that you do your job well over 27 years , whom can also help to assess your needs and keep you abreast of internal and external opportunities. Note that a lot of folks change positions every 4 or so years- there can be multiple adventures for you before you are content to formally retire.

18. Jenn Paster DetmerJanuary 31,2024 at 1:45PM UTC

    Love this advice about internal networking! Networking is so important for job advancement as often times in larger companies, they do already have someone in mind when they post a job description. A great way to start to show interest is to start sharing the areas you are interested in growing in with your internal network. For example, I'm really looking to grow into a position that lets me tap into analytics as I loved when I was able to do X on project Y and it resulted in a gain of X dollars. (Connect your area(s) of interest with one of your current success stories including an outcome if you can.) While it is true that you want more money, the hiring manager is going to be looking for people that are excited about the job so conveying what you want MORE of (besides the money) can be really helpful for hiring managers to have you in mind for positions BEFORE they even post them. What do you want to experience more of that you can share with your network? With that said, workplace discrimination does happen so if you feel that they are discriminating based on age or any other factor, it may be a good time to start having conversations with HR and asking them if they can give some concrete feedback as to why you were passed over on the last few positions as a starting point and ask them to help you outline the key skillsets required to obtain then next one and how they can help you get there. That way there is clear visibility to a path forward.

19. maria roseJanuary 31,2024 at 8:33PM UTC

    If you have stayed with this company for 27 years, you obviously like working for this company but never considered the steps needed to get the "other positions" you applied to get. We don't have information on exactly what position you have--I am guessing an office-type job where you handle the paperwork for multi-tasks and want to transfer to a position that is less or maybe more multi-task because of praise received on the task you do. --Do you consider yourself the Donna persona of Suits in this company and think you should have another role because of your inner knowledge? Sometimes one has to accept that you are in the best position for your skills, however, the personal opinion, especially since you have been with the company 27 years which in today's age is more of a rarity than a commonality. You probably have a good retirement setup, too. If your heart desires is assume a different role, ask the department head of that section what exactly you have to do to be considered the top candidate for that desired role. It may be simply just getting them directly hear it from you to get considered .

20. AnonymousJanuary 31,2024 at 1:35PM UTC

    Just the numbers here tell me that you are not applying for positions that you are qualified for.
    No one (I mean no one) is qualified for 37 different roles at their company - not even the CEO (especially not the CEO). I would try and look at this more strategically. Have the conversations with your manager, ask about a career path, develop the skills to get to the next job, then network internally while applying.

21. AnonymousJanuary 31,2024 at 2:36PM UTC

    Sit down with your manager at a scheduled time. Advise that you want to advance, earn more income, etc. Be very clear about this. Ask for the manager's help in creating an Advancement plan for you. Ask: What do I need to do to get this spot? (more school, more certifications, etc?)- Ask your direct report manager to co-create this plan with you, and document it. Then, work the plan. In time (less than a year)...you should be able to work into one of the spots that you and your manager have identified as a "next step". Have you been clear about your growth plans with your manager (s)..? Or are you just electronically applying for every "possible" position that's posted? Don't do that- you need someone in your corner. If you are fearful of advocating for yourself in this way, it will never happen and trying to find another job will be hard for you. You are young; don't tag this on "being50". I'm 63 and still very active and productive at work.

22. AnonymousFebruary 1,2024 at 3:29PM UTC

    Yes I have sat down with my manager. I have had a development opportunity. I interviewed for the position that I had the development opportunity several times. I did not get the position I interviewed for other positions did not receive feed back from the manager .My manager reached out to the interviewers also they did not provide feed back to her as well. She told me to just drop the subject.

23. AnonymousFebruary 28,2024 at 3:40AM UTC

    For the positions you applied for, where you given an interview and did they share why you were not selected. It's important that companies interview internal candidates that have the qualifications and provide them feedback on what they need to work on and provide them development opportunities. I would suggest you also speak with your manager to discuss that you would like to have promotional opportunities and what can you shadow others to learn, etc. If they say there's nothing they can do, then you should seek the position you're seeking elsewhere.