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Can I vent? When did 50 become old?

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Can I vent? When did 50 become old?

I mean our last two presidents have been over 70 when elected!

In an interview today, I was asked if I really wanted to work full-time again. (I am currently working part-time). Then the hiring manager said, we are a fast-paced environment and I expect a lot of my people. So funny because he just finished a 2 week vacation and I have never worked at any organization where I was able to take 2 weeks off at one time! LOL

I'm probably 12-15 years older than my potential new manager. He knows I have the ability to do the job. I assured him that I don't want his job. And this race car is hoping to race many more races at full-speed before retiring.

I am not seeking advice, really, I just needed to vent. I know you have to be relevant and have energy in interviews. I also know that years on your resume reveal your age. But seriously when did 50+ become old?!

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  1. Anonymous

    Exactly! I was thinking the same thing - one half of the country is willing to elect a 78 years old, the other - 81 year old for running a country, but we are questioned when we try to just do a good job in an organization! It is madness, really.

  2. Anonymous

    Not job-related but humorous and related to being 50. I spend about 2 weeks a year in the hospital due to an AI disorder that makes me vomit continuously. Causes lots of issues. Anyway, I was admitted over the 2 weeks when my 50th birthday came along. The day before, I had a scan and the guys asked me if there was any chance I might be pregnant. At 49?! I hope not! The very next day, now technically 50, I had another scan by the same guys. Their question changed to “do you still get a period”? I so badly wanted to say, “Nope! It just magically disappears for all of us as soon as we hit 50.” Idiots!!

  3. Paulla Fetzek, MSEd

    Where does this reply have any relevance to the topic from the OG post?

  4. Paulla Fetzek, MSEd

    I believe some of this stems from The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967 - which prohibits discrimination of employees that are 40 or older. Additionally, the fact the US has programs that consider people senior citizens at 55 - a concept I find ludicrous, and I'll be 57 this year.

    Sadly, you're right in terms of ageism, though there are industries where this isn't as much of an issue. For the past 21 years I've worked for a company situated in the Hardware Chanel. In this industry, older age is often viewed in higher regard than those who are younger.

    Ageism - of any kind - shouldn't be tolerated. You can't equate experience, relevance, or energy to someone simply based on how old the person is.

  5. Anonymous

    Both need to step away. The reason we have what we do now is because of the other. Neither are the best choice, but unfortunately...here we are.

  6. Anonymous

    And the other has absolutely no business being the leader of this country (neither do, truthfully).

  7. Anonymous

    Please don' t attach politics to a workplace issue, not looking for shade back, it's not a comparable to consider. IMO.

  8. Anonymous

    You’re right - given the fast pace and monumental decisions required of the president or elected leader of any country, 50 plus should be considered far too old for the job (never mind 70!)

  9. Anonymous

    Let’s get a recent grad in the White House!… sarcasm

  10. Anonymous

    Depends on what you mean by “we.” the kids in cages didn’t do better with Trump.

  11. Anonymous

    I’ve lived in the NoVA area my entire life. Like it or not, especially in an election year, it is what most people are concerned about. A lot of us have jobs that could be in jeopardy with a different administration. Some of us are military and a different admin can be a real threat. DoD civilian and government contractors may lose their jobs due to someone new at 1600 PA Ave. It’s definitely a reason for many concerns! And, rightly so! I don’t care who you want to vote for. I do believe we should be able to post job-related concerns, regardless of what they are, and we should feel heard and supported. Attacking someone for differing POVs doesn’t help anyone.

    The DC metro area is a VERY expensive place to live and when you add policies from different administrations that raise or lower prices on basically everything, it becomes a topic at every bar, restaurant or social event. It comes with the territory.

    Don’t ever apologize for anything that doesn’t require one. You didn’t do or say anything malicious or with bad intentions. I believe we, as women, have a tendency to apologize and placate. Men don’t do that.

  12. Anonymous

    Guess the freedom of expression goes one way. Interesting.

  13. Anonymous

    lack of professionalism lives on, come on people Do and Be Better!

  14. Anonymous

    Now watch how politics overtakes this post...............

  15. Anonymous

    I’ve heard “fast paced” is code for we want recent college grads at the start of their career.

  16. Anonymous

    I think it's different nowadays as our generation is still in demand.

  17. Anonymous

    I have luckily not experienced such blatant ageism yet, but I am super snarky, and I don't think I could bite my tongue if it happened. lol

  18. Anonymous

    I'm 66, disabled and not anywhere near ready to retire. But try getting that across to some hiring managers, interviewers, or even my boss and co-workers. In my view, "experience is an asset, not a liability." I've even added that tagline to my email signature in some cases. Spread the word!

  19. Anonymous

    Experience and WISDOM. Don't forget wisdom!!

  20. Anonymous

    It's really sad because in the 21st century in my mind one must be 80+ years old to be considered old. Mind you all, this is coming from someone that worked in clinical health care with senior citizens for many years, so I know. It's seems that agism discrimination is becoming more prevalent and laws are going to have to be enacted and enforced to circumvent the agism discrimination that people of a certain age are experiencing in the job market. People have to be able to work and not be worried about getting employment because of their age. If one is able and qualified, where is the problem? I just don't get it. Smh.

  21. Anonymous

    I have been to more than one interview where it was said (in some form) that they are "looking for someone who will be with us for a while". Now....IF I find a job where I'm treated well, paid fairly, and given the tools I need to be successful in the position.....I'd stay long past 70! But, I also know, many of the younger people are used to job hopping, moving on to the next better paying and more interesting job every couple of years. It's like some employers are treating me like we're still in the 60's as far as what they expect of their workers (lifetime with one company) and at the same time, punishing someone who doesn't fit their plan of hiring someone they think will stick around the next 40 years. Ha! It's aggravating and discouraging, but then again, if that's the way they are, I'm better off going somewhere else, even if it means lesser pay.

  22. Anonymous

    Being a woman plus older is the double whammy. I was asked why I would want a position that would be ‘more work’? Like I can’t be ambitious and want to advance my career. He noted my ‘work life balance’ which I interpreted as code for being a mom. Needless to say I didn’t get the job. For the young ladies reading this… it’s even more important for women to invest for retirement aggressively. Save money. Eliminate debt and have a plan. Employers will want to retire us before we’re ready.

  23. Anonymous

    50 is not old if you’re a man. Only a woman. ?

  24. GirlBossanova934974

    There's nothing worse than a manager who has his or her ego writing their checks! From where I come from, you lead by example. If you're just getting back from a 2 week vacation, you better not be telling future employees how you expect so much of your people in the same sentence. Vacations are just fine but save those speeches after you have worked for several months in a row without a break. As for your response? I think the best response I ever heard was 40 years ago during a Presidential debate......."I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent's youth and inexperience." Working long or hard is one way. Working efficiently and well is a completely different subject.

  25. Adele Friedel

    That is age discrimination, plain and simple. I’m about to be 70 and I have a job I love, that is very fast paced and mentally challenging. I intend to work until I just can’t anymore.

    Unfortunately, age discrimination is a very prevalent in the business world today. I’m incredibly grateful I work for a company where it isn’t prevalent. The company places value on hiring people who are highly qualified to do the job based upon experience vs anything else.

    I would suggest that you help the company use this as a training opportunity for this manager. Maybe find someone that can help you do that or speak confidently with HR and ask for insight from them?

  26. Anonymous

    Trust me you don’t want to work there anyway! Ageism is a very big problem now and it’s a very hard wall to break down.

  27. Anonymous

    Sorry you had this experience. I was hired for major leadership roles over the age of 50 and just resigned from a company that was implying ageism and it felt like they were working me out the door. This is unacceptable and HR did an investigation but won't take action against the top person.

    While the investigation was going on I applied for a position with the City of NY and was hired for a leadership role, at the age of 70! Yes, I will drive 35 minutes into the city, work a 40-hour week, and will have 15 direct reports. My energy and vibrancy don't share an iota about my age which I am thankful for. I intend to work another 3-5 years and continue my calm, balanced leadership style which is one point that got me hired - nothing can shake me much anymore. I've seen it all it seems, have mitigated it, and stood for women in the workplace.

    Keep searching! Try non-profits as they pay far better than imagined (idealist.org) and go for it! Do not give up.

    If anyone brings up a sniff of ageism, which can be subtle - like the train is leaving the station, are you going to be on it or left on the platform (yes this was said to me) or are you suiting up for the game or staying in the parking lot (yep another good one) - leave the room without hesitation, pass through the door and don't look back!

  28. Anonymous

    You're my hero.

  29. Anonymous

    Gawd. If I have one more 30 something interviewer talk about their "fast paced" environment, I'm going to vomit on them. I can run circles around these arrogant idiots. I've got 2 decades more experience and I put it to good use. I've never worked in a place that isn't fast paced.

  30. Anonymous

    This!!⏫

  31. Shelly Edwards

    I know you are just venting but his comments put him on borderline age discrimination. If you have the qualifications, he needs to focus on that. By focusing on your age, I would say this is a huge red flag.

  32. Anonymous

    um the hiring managers comments weren’t borderline discrimination they were spot on discrimination! If she was younger he might just as well have said “well little lady if you’re thinking of having children this job would be too challenging for you considering what we expect from our workers “

  33. Anonymous

    Ageism exists and this is why I don’t include the first 10 years of my career on my resume. I am 42 with 20 years of experience, but discrimination exists. I don’t tell people my age at all. My age is not their business. Of course HR is aware, and maybe they would share my personnel file with the hiring managers, but so far so good.

  34. Jan Aufdenkamp

    I wrote a post on the very same thing some months ago. It's very real and unfortunately more difficult for women vs. men.

    There have been studies done that suggest that these Hiring Managers and HR are making a big mistake not hiring more mature workers, that this will impact the individuals and organizations future success. A good video on youtube delivered by Mauro F. Guillén is Vice Dean, MBA for Executives at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ80Nov26HM

  35. Anonymous

    To me, "Fast Paced and I expect a lot of people.." translates to I expect people to work late hours and weeknds and not value a life outside of work. Don't even think about taking a vacation." Once you are 50 and have put in a few more years in the workforce you learn that your are never indispensible, employers have no loyalty to you and not having a healthy work/life balance leads to burn out. Many young 20 somethings have not spent enough time in the work world to learn this. Employers love to take advantage of their youth and inexperience.

  36. Anonymous

    "Instead of whining"...nah, this is clear age discrimination, plain and simple. Do better.

  37. Anonymous

    Ignorant !

  38. Anonymous

    OH no, you didn't just go there with your response. I bet you most over 50 workers are more reliable, will work the extra hours and all of the BS you just stated they couldn't do. I am 62 and still going strong. I can put in the 18 hour work days that is sometimes required of our job. What I see are the younger ones who call of for menstrual cramps, a headache, I am tired this morning - had a big weekend at the lake excuse. They complain, when they aren't lead on a project, but when they are all they do is complain because they can't get the younger peers to return calls and emails. They don't want to create documentation for processes and procedures because then people will either know they don't know anything or that means someone knows how to do something and could take their job.

    Before anyone says anything, I know there are younger and older workers who don't fit the stereotype that has been defined by the above poster or what I have written. So just remember that the next time you are talking, working with or interviewing.

  39. Anonymous

    Your response is exactly the reason there are laws in place to prevent people like you from discriminating. We all age, so this is one bias that will catch up with you.

  40. Anonymous

    Yes, I get this all the time. 4 years in the job hunt. It has been brutal! All you hear is you are overqualified but ageism is very real.

  41. Anonymous

    I disagree. Actually, it's not just that I disagree. You are blatently WRONG. Your comment is oozing with ageism. These arguments are exactly the reasoning used to justify one of the last accepted employment biases and predjudices. And frankly, employers like this take advantage of people of all ages. Some of the older folks at my workplace run circles around younger colleague tech-wise and energy-wise. You are making huge generalizations. These same types of arguments were used to marginalize woment, people of color, etc.

  42. Anonymous

    Exactly, I work in HR and they like hire young because they do not have to pay as much.

  43. Anonymous

    Let’s be real at 50 you’ve got a lot more years (especially of work) behind you than ahead of you. 50s certainly doesn’t make anyone decrepit, but you’re on the tail end of your career. But that’s neither here nor there. Someone has to have the experience.

    What is interesting, is that you said you’ve never been in a job where you could take a 2 week vacation. And THAT statement signals to me, what a lot of younger workers (what most refer to as Millennials) would see as problematic. If in your mind a 2 week vacation is a sign of some lack of dedication to working then their fears of your age not being compatible may be accurate. There’s a different mindset around working between your generation & the younger one. They value unlimited PTO, work from anywhere, but also have a 24/7 culture that can get problems solved anytime anywhere which allows a work hard/play hard mentality.

    So while I don’t think actual age is the issue, I absolutely believe there’s a difference in how people of the different generations value their time. To them, you’re the quintessential “Boomer” tied to the old way of doing things. Prove them wrong. Be flexible, be relatable, and be a great colleague and I’m sure you’ll be a valuable asset wherever you land.

  44. Liz Milne

    A 50 year old is Gen X, not Boomer.

    OPs point was that a 'high pressure' busy job as referenced by the hiring manager did not square with the ability to take 2 weeks holiday all at once. Nothing to do with a problematic work-life balance.

    And a 50 yo has a good 20 years or so of working time ahead of them, so your 'tail end of your career' comment is not only ageist but entirely wrong, imo. 'Quintessentially millennial' shall we say?

    -_-

  45. Anonymous

    Respectfully, it seems you’ve missed my point (but also made my case about perceptions based on age). I’m also a Gen X (just under 50), not a Millennial at all.

    Lets also be very clear: If you’re 50 you’ve likely already worked 30+ yrs, which places you in the latter part of your career if you have 15-20 yrs of full time work remaining before retirement. Most people under 25 (and maybe even 35) see people “in their 50s+” as the older generation, as “Boomers.” They don’t care when you were actually born, or what generational group you actually belong to according to sociological studies; if you respond like, or remind them of their parents, you’re a Boomer! I say that somewhat comically, as the parent of a 20-something who’s been calling me old since I was 30. They’re looking at your perception of the workplace, not just your skillset. Ironically, I see a lot of older Gen-X and Boomers call anyone younger than them, with a certain mindset about work, “a millennial,” when that group of adults is mid 30s-young 40s. The groups of young people they really mean to label is Gen Z. But the labels get tossed around and misused and are grossly misunderstood by all generations.

    But the point I was trying to make is that there’s often a vastly different mindset around office culture from people who began working in the 90s verus people who were born in the 90s. Work from home & PTO policies are a clear indicator of the shifts in work culture between the generations.

    Equating a high pressure work environment to being incompatible with 2 weeks of PTO is absolutely tied to cultural fit (and I’m not judging OPs fitness based on this at all. It’s merely an observation). Nothing to do with OPs age or ability to do the job, willingness to work, longevity on the job. Hiring managers know you can do the job, that’s why you get the interview, but they need to know do you fit in. And for some hiring managers there’s some telltale signs, and they can often be highlighted across generational lines.

  46. Anonymous

    I find it hard to believe that you are Gen X... . Again, your comments crass and out of touch. Boomers are Boomers and not Gen X.

  47. Anonymous

    What’s harder to believe is how many people are completely missing the point about how there’s some clear indicators when people of a certain age are culturally divided from their colleagues. None of these generational labels actually matter. Saying it’s hard to believe I’m GenX isn’t any different than saying a 50yo is too old to work somewhere. It’s based on a stereotype of beliefs about what someone at a certain age should do or should believe. I’m not out of touch at all—quite the opposite. I’m pointing out the hypocrisy of the belief about age, and people continue to prove my point. There’s at least 3-4 comments going on a tangent about who was born into which generation & failing to acknowledge why there’s a perception that 50+ year olds are old or unwilling/unable/unfit to work in some environments. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s true. Perception is what matters. Especially if you’re trying to be hired!!

    How relatable do you feel you are to someone 20 years younger? Can you name 3 award winning artists from current pop genres? Do you consume information on social media platforms from individuals in that age range?

    That may seem irrelevant to the job (and it is), but when someone is looking to bring a person on to their team I guarantee they’re thinking about these things. This is what’s meant by cultural fit. And being condescending towards me pointing it out, or being defensive about it, again furthers my point that there is a divide, and a perception that certain attitudes about work are attributable only to younger people.

    When people say ageism is real they aren’t really talking about someone being too old to work. They mean the person responsible for hiring them doesn’t believe they are a cultural fit, and they can pick it out in a heartbeat.

  48. Liz Milne

    If 'a lot' of people are 'missing your point', is it not possible that your point is poorly made?

  49. Anonymous

    People are reading to reply not reading to comprehend. This is how I know.

    1) I’ve never mentioned older workers having poor time management, yet the comments suggest I have. I did however mention people of different ages valuing their time differently. Yet, not a single response to that. 2) Multiple people have chosen to correct the label a generation people of a certain age belong to—although I’ve said multiple times that the label doesn’t actually matter, the perception does. Again, no one has responded to, or acknowledged that. 3) I’ve stated why younger people would find working for 20-30years but never having taken a 2 week vacation problematic, and no one has responded to that. Or acknowledged how it furthers my point about the value of time and how younger demographic would view that as a tell-tale sign of a poor cultural fit.
    4)I’ve stated that while the experience actually lies within the older generation the younger generation (when in a hiring capacity) isn’t necessarily concerned with someone’s experience or skill level—they’re concerned with whether a new hire will fit into the culture of the work environment. And that includes bringing in thoughts or values that some Millennials may see as old-fashioned and reminiscent of their parents’ or even grandparents. No one has acknowledged that this perception not only exists, but is part of the foundation of ageism. So again, I’ve made my points quite clearly. But so many comments are aimed at deflecting their anger over ageism at me, who’s merely pointing out the ways in which it persists. Or may assuming I mustn’t be old enough to actually belong to the age group in which I’ve claimed. If you’ve actually read my posts thoroughly, for content and not out of frustration you’d probabaly have seen all of those points I made very clearly and respectfully, despite the quite disrespectful comments I’ve received from others in return.

  50. Anonymous

    While I am certain that you meant well your comment came across as crass, and out of touch with older generations. Despite what you have made up in your mind, generations older than you are managing their time quite well.

  51. Anonymous

    Sadly, the old adage "first impressions count" is so true in the interviewing process. Whether it's poor lighting and frame positioning on a video interview or rounded shoulders in person and maybe some gray hair or an outdated outfit (look around - even law offices don't dress as they did pre-pandemic) these subtle signals are noticed. Really take stock of your entire visual presentation for interviews. It isn't fair but it is the current hiring environment.

  52. Anonymous

    Um, I'm going to chime in here. I'm going to be 49 next month. I work not just one, but 2 jobs. I put my full 8 in at my main job, then I go from 6-10 at another part-time job. 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. What that means is that I work constantly. I leave early and don't get home until at least 10:30 at night during the week. Between both jobs, I have ONE day off a week on Saturday. I work every single day like this. I have also been doing this over the last year and 1/2. I am in administration during the day, then at night, I work at another place. On Sundays, I open at 10 AM and close the place at 10 PM. So how am I set in my ways and unwilling to work long hours? I've had 2 jobs at the same time most of my life. The only time I did not work for a stint, was when I had a child. He's an adult, and making his way into the world and I've worked for many years. I have health issues. We ALL have health issues. Look at the world! I'm sorry, but you are way off with your statement.

  53. Anonymous

    Oh, honey. I didn't hit my prime until 50. Of course, I thought I knew it all before that as you have demonstrated here. In my experience, I risk more when I hire people of a younger generation because they tend to make immature decisions; but that's what people in my generation can teach. How to look at and think of things differently. I also love learning from them. However, I hire based on the individual and don't make assumptions about generations. I have to keep up with new tech in my field-always have. I work 12-18 hour days at times. I'd love to know what you think makes someone in their "prime". You appear to define it as youth. Oof.

  54. Anonymous

    That's interesting because I have a lot of silver hair that I refuse to color because it looks so awesome! In fact, I get compliments on it all the time and let me assure you that no one and I mean no one that crosses my path thinks that I am 48-years-young. People still mistake me for being in my early thirties. Yes -- dear, I am aging like the best of fine wines! I know for a fact that I look way better than women in their thirties. In fact, me and all of my friend circle and family members under the age of 60-years-young look better than women in their thirties. Another thing that we have going for us that younger women do not have is tactfulness and class! Sweetheart you cannot buy tactfulness and class on TicTok or Temu. Namaste!

  55. Anonymous

    Sorry, not everyone needs botox and haircolor to look young. Good genes can actually do the same.

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