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Katrina

01/07/21 at 6:03PM UTC

Career

Age Issues

Hi. I’m in my 50s & I lost my job in March in manufacturing sales. I sold to retail but was let go due to the financial strain the pandemic would have on the company. What I am worried about is my age . I had just landed this Job & was shy a month it being a full year. I did a great job & my boss will tell you that. You couldn’t guess my age, I’m a long distance runner so I have lots of energy & very clear head. My skills are pretty updated. I was pretty depressed after it happened because I worked so hard. I have kept putting off sending resumes because I was scared of being rejected ( I do not know if anyone reading this has felt this way). Who would even think a pandemic of all things would take my new job away. Can you give me any advice and what to put on my resume? I know you change it according to the job deception but I’m really worried about my age. I do not think in any way shape or form I am too old for a job. Anything info on this would be helpful. Thank You

45 Comments

Anonymous

01/07/21 at 6:14PM UTC

I am employed at the moment , however I have tried to change positions and grow and I have had so many interviews and second and third interviews , then the thanks no thanks letter or no reply at all, I am over 50 as well and I try to tell myself it’s not my age, but I think it is even my own manager treats me as if I am to old , it’s disgusting but keep trying and don’t give up try to have a good attitude and just know your chance is out there that’s what I am doing it will come but you should try to be optimistic no matter what

1 Reply

mary

108

Seasoned remote corporate recruiter

01/08/21 at 1:59PM UTC

I am quite a bit older than you and I have to say I understand how you feel however I can promise you your resume isn’t necessarily showing your age it’s the new broken recruiting process that uses technology to parse resumes and parsing is another word for copying but the copying is not accurate I’ve noted it a dozen times and after it’s presented into the recruiting system it’s different and if it doesn’t have the keywords the employer is looking for it gets passed over I keep trying and I try to keep in mind it’s not about my age it’s about my talent and my professionalism and I have landed jobs so please don’t give up because if you give up you give into ageism and we don’t wanna do that good luck just another thought make sure there’s no dates on your resume and only the past 10 years of your employment unless that one employer you were at much longer you shouldn’t have college dates or any other kind of dated information Lots of companies need the skills of the mature multi generational employees are a proven great culture for companies Covid just made it a little bit more challenging

User edited comment on 01/08/21 at 1:59PM UTC

3 Replies

Erin McCabe-Barbera

432

01/08/21 at 4:20PM UTC

Thank you for your advice and your kind words, it’s nice to not feel alone

Katrina

02/03/21 at 2:37AM UTC

Thank you I am just looking at the responses. I

Katrina

02/03/21 at 3:09AM UTC

Do you by any chance have a copy or template for a seasoned sales rep?

1 Reply

mary

108

Seasoned remote corporate recruiter

02/03/21 at 1:16PM UTC

Hi you can Google sample resumes for sales and also look on Pinterest most of them are free but I’ve used samples from those resources quite a few times

1 Reply

Katrina

01/07/21 at 6:23PM UTC

Thank you for your reply. Were your interviews after or during the pandemic?

Jill L. Ferguson

2.03k

Jill of many trades. Lover of life and animals.

01/07/21 at 6:55PM UTC

I have had friends and clients in their 50s and 60s hired for new jobs recently. The only time I've seen it become an issue is related to the higher salary a person may get who has years of experience, but in those cases my friends and clients were more interested in the work itself (and in it being fulfilling) than commanding a high salary so that's what they stressed during the interview process. (One went from a furlough from a management position to a "regular" position because he wanted to give up the stress of being on call all of the time to troubleshoot problems for his team.) Don't let fear stop you from applying or starting the process as you never know what gem you might uncover by starting the first step. And don't be afraid to state in your cover letter that you were furloughed or laid-off due to the pandemic and ask your boss to be one of your references, especially if that boss will say glowing things about you. I'm happy to be your cheerleader as you start to put yourself out there again.

1 Reply

Katrina

02/03/21 at 2:39AM UTC

Thank you.

Cheryl Neas

105

01/07/21 at 7:15PM UTC

I provide my work history back only about 15 years, and no date on my education. Enough to demonstrate significant experience but not to give away my age with the math. I know everyone knows that education without a date means the person is likely older, but I don’t have to make it easy for them to know exactly how old.

1 Reply

Leigh Hammond-Carrillo

01/12/21 at 8:33PM UTC

This one is harder for me to do because I'm a pretty loyal person and the last two jobs I had were 10 years each. (I'm 49 by the way and I feel like I'm only getting interviews with companies offering the bare minimum of the industry standard, either due to being a startup, having only 3 other employees, or just being cheap.)

1 Reply

Katrina

02/03/21 at 2:40AM UTC

Also being interviewed by someone younger than you can be intimating. Are you employed right now or are you interviewing?

1 Reply

Leigh Hammond-Carrillo

02/03/21 at 4:28PM UTC

No, I am still interviewing. I had a good one today, actually. :)

Victoria Cianci

288

Project structure is key and I have the keys

01/07/21 at 7:36PM UTC

It is very difficult and asking for references is becoming my downfall. I researching if there are online networking groups so I can improve my presence online. I saw on article on writing articles on Linkedin for my industry that I question.

Anonymous

01/07/21 at 8:02PM UTC

I can relate to you so well! I was laid off from job of 12 years and even though it had nothing to do with my age, 52, (20% of the company was laid off and 80-90% of them were younger than me) I am also so hesitant to get out there and apply for jobs! I am super qualified but my mind is playing tricks on me and leaving me with a defeated attitude.... i have not even been turned down by any job yet! I think i am anxious and depressed over the pandemic and the state of this country and the lay off at 50+ send me over the edge....trying to get into a more positive productive state of mind but struggling...

1 Reply

Katrina

02/03/21 at 2:44AM UTC

This is exactly what I am going through. I have not been turned down yet. I am now updating my resume. I am just so mad about my job and what happened. I have had anxiety as well. Have you started looking? Let me know your status on this. I just got back on this & I am overwhelmed with all the great replies.

Sweet Caroline

2.67k

01/07/21 at 8:18PM UTC

Someone pointed out to me recently that you never see a job listing asking for 30 years experience. The reality is if your 55, you likely have 30 years experience but no one wants it. 20 years is the max you will ever see. There was a time when experience helped you climb the ladder, that doesn't seem to be the case anymore which is crushing.

1 Reply

Anonymous

01/07/21 at 9:44PM UTC

Not at all my experience at all. In my mid 60s and recently received much interest and several offers at top companies. Now working at a career high salary. This is not unique or special. The labor market has a void of highly experienced candidates with 30 years experience.

3 Replies

Anonymous

01/07/21 at 9:46PM UTC

While there is a huge glut of 5 year experience type applicants, many older more experienced are retiring or going very part-time. Hiring managers are looking for us.

1 Reply

Katrina

02/23/21 at 7:27PM UTC

May I ask what state you are in? Thanks for this post.

Janice Peters

Heath and Fitness Aficionado

01/11/21 at 9:49PM UTC

Thank you for posting good news. It is sad that so many assume that "age" and experience is never considered. Perhaps the companies that do not accept a specific CV are not deserving of the wisdom that experience brings!

Katrina

02/03/21 at 2:46AM UTC

Did you recently just get hired after the lockdown?

Sheryl Brinkley

123

Ignite Your Shine-Own and Drive Your Destiny!

01/07/21 at 8:22PM UTC

Encouraging everyone to maintain/hold an optimistic perspective. If we adopt/succumb to a “fear mentality” about ageism, this energy will come across and impact your conversations and approach to looking for work. Focus on: your strengths, experience, and ability to deliver results. The fact that you are a “seasoned professional” means you have many years of experience in bringing value to many organizations. On the resume, write a strong summary of qualifications, create a functional resume style to emphasize your skills and abilities vs chronological with dates. When listing your education-omit years, and list your most recent 10years of employment history on the resume. Remember on paper, no one knows your age! Adopt an “age defy attitude” and embrace who you are and know that you have many more years of value to bring to the workplace. Blessings✨

Anonymous

01/07/21 at 8:44PM UTC

Let me give my experience for perspective. I am in my mid 60s started a new job in June in the middle of a 2nd shutdown in California. I started my job search in May and interviewed with 5 companies. I received 3 offers within 3 weeks of beginning my job search. I generally work in operations but jumped to a company that combines my contracts and licensing background with more compliance functions in their Legal department. This offered me growth and the ability to expand my skills. More money and better overall package. I tell you all this because each company I interviewed with shared a similar message with me....the labor market is huge in L.A and extremely competitive (one of the companies I interviewed with had interviewed 24 candidates ) but the other candidates did not have the depth of experience nor the varied skillset that would allow them to perform the work at the desired level without training and supervision. So with that , in my experience it's far more effective NOT to dumb down your resume and to play up the varied experience and knowledge gained from your exposure to many different work situations and climates. I limit my work history to the past 15 years and give a broad list of my varied success and skils. I generally only work at really top well known companies and for no more than 5 years. I have not experienced rejection based on age that I know of and have experienced a strong embrace from hiring managers tasked with elevated goals and pressure to get things accomplished. Play up your strongest skills and don't be afraid of age. It has proved to be an advantage when aiming for positions that require strong skills and rich background. Don't go after positions that don't play into this or you'll find yourself up against much younger less skilled candidates.

2 Replies

Teresa

01/08/21 at 9:29PM UTC

Great advice and insights. LA is def. super competitive. I’m in marketing and feeling aged out. Most jobs looking for 3-7 years experience tops. I need to find the right companies. Have been a contractor for a Fortune 5 health care company for past 5 years and finding it difficult to convert to a FTE.

Katrina

02/03/21 at 2:51AM UTC

Congratulations & your reply was gives me hope. Were you by any chance let go because of the pandemic?

T Stack

01/07/21 at 8:57PM UTC

In my (very) late 40s, I was laid off from my job and I was terrified that it was the death knell for my career. It wasn't. I was out 8 weeks and after a bidding war between two companies, I ended up with a $13K raise over my previous position. (I'm not going to lie though. There were a LOT of silences and rejections to a massive number of applications. I spent much of those 8 weeks anxious, depressed, stressed out, etc. but tried to make sure I hid it from recruiters, hiring managers and my family.) In quick time though, this new company lost its shine and I wanted to leave... but I felt like you do. Who will take me? I'm NOT a runner and I'm a (proud) grandma. They might not guess my exact age thanks to skin care products and salon hair color, but it is obvious that I have years under my belt. I applied casually for jobs for a while. Then I paid to have someone help me with my resume, tightening up the verbiage, highlighting the best of me and using current layouts and ideas. Now, in my early 50s, I applied for a job with my "dream company" knowing that it was a stretch. It was a technical job and I'd been management for a decade (still in tech, but not "hands on"). Plus, this was THE COMPANY I'd wanted to work for for the last 2 decades. It took 8 interviews but I got the job. During the pandemic. Do not lose hope. Believe in yourself. You know you are good at what you do. Now, as always, there are a whole bunch of hiring managers that are rotten at the hiring process and will leave you feeling insecure if you let them. Don't let them. They only have the power you give them. Your age is not the limiter.

1 Reply

r francis

01/08/21 at 1:53PM UTC

Can you share which Resume Company you used? I've tried several and wasn't happy. Thanks!

User deleted comment on 02/23/21 at 9:42PM UTC

Anonymous

01/07/21 at 9:35PM UTC

Hi, I came back to the States in 2015 after six years in Canada. I was like 45 may be 46. I had the same feeling. I found a minimum wage job right away. I have a lot of energy, although am not a long distance runner and have been putting off running a marathon, something I wanted to do since I was 27 years old. Then, I lost this feelings, how? It is a long story. The rate of procreation here in the US is quite high and I would say it gets intimidating when you are surrounded by 20 something and 30 something trying to make you cruel into a corner suggesting that their age automatically qualifies them for longevity and even promotion. Why then did they let you go? Now, that you are on the outside, look back with an analytical eye, you will realize there were lots of none sense going on and you chose to ignore to keep your job. Thanks to the melt down of the economy in 2008, the collapse of few banks and the housing bubble, and above all thanks to Bush, age is no longer a factor. Age is a factor because the media and Hollywood makes it one, it is an ongoing comedy provider (I can name few shows). If you are intimidated by the millennium generation, Z generation or whatever other letters, remember that the collapse that happened a decade ago was due to youngsters who wanted to grow fast, very fast, lending money left and right and selling houses to people who cannot afford it. It was not only the big shots but those who did not have a problem with unethical practices. I do not think age is the problem but ethics is. How far is someone willing to go to obtain or maintain a job? Wearing inappropriate dress code, approving loans for people they cannot afford, breaching security, the list keeps on going. The problem here and pretty much worldwide is how far and how low someone is willing to go.

User edited comment on 01/07/21 at 9:43PM UTC

Anonymous

01/07/21 at 9:35PM UTC

I've had along with several friends in our later 50s similar experiences. All 4 of us had been offered better more lucrative jobs during the Pandemic. Never once did we run into ageism. I hear it exists but the reality is much different I'm finding personally. Many companies are looking for us in the market due to work ethic, experience and varied skills and understanding. DON'T LOSE HOPE. you are more valuable than you know.

Victoria Zona

01/08/21 at 1:51PM UTC

Look at how many things you list on your resume sound funny but if jobs you had back in early 1990s really do not matter cut them. Also do not list the year you graduated college no need. This way you keep to newer experiences and makes your time line look shorter. That way when applying they do not use age as a metric site unseen which sadly is against the law many companies do anyway.

Rebecca

01/08/21 at 2:30PM UTC

I'm in the same boat and, when reworking my resume, got conflicting advice about listing experience older than 10-15 years back from two different executive search pros. One said I should include everything on my resume, including an internship I had almost 30 years ago! The other said -- and I followed this advice -- to create a section below the Professional Experience part of your resume called Early Career. There, list the 2-3 positions you've held that are most applicable to what you're applying for or most meaty/impressive, along with city and state. No dates. Good luck and stay positive! You got this!

User edited comment on 01/08/21 at 2:31PM UTC

Anonymous

01/08/21 at 2:50PM UTC

Truly. I'm in my 60s and have received several offers at increased salary in the past 3 months. I'm transitioning to retirement so I'm trying to turn full-time employment into project consulting so I only work 1/2 the year. My problem is the companies keep sweetening their offers in hopes I come on as full-time instead. I have decided to stick to my plan, increase my "ask" with the condition that the project support I offer has a firm start date AND end date. I am currently making headway with one company and am hoping to close that deal by the end of the month. I want this to be my time to enjoy life other than work and to do that I need much more time.

1 Reply

Katrina

02/03/21 at 2:57AM UTC

Wow congratulations. May I ask what field you are in?

Rhonda M Strong, CAP, OM, CWCA, CC, CEI

150

Partnering with EAs & AAs for Success

01/08/21 at 3:38PM UTC

Please don't allow your age to get in YOUR way. It's state of mind. You sound like a very young 50 something. My advice is some good self-talk and an amazing resume and cover letter. If you believe your age is an issue, your age will be an issue. If you believe age is just a number, age will be just a number. All the best to you on your job search. Wherever you choose to land, know that the company that chooses you will be the lucky one.

Rachel Fitch

01/08/21 at 4:29PM UTC

I'm 51 and was furloughed in July due to Covid. Just found out last month that my job would not be reinstated, even though the company needs my skills. They are dumbing down the job and giving the opportunity to a younger while man. I worked for this company twice and the same thing happened to me before with them during the last recession. I've been trying to start my own business, but really miss the corporate world and the opportunity to collaborate with others in an organization. I've tried applying for jobs but in most cases, haven't even gotten a response. I agree with an earlier comment about the recruitment and applicant tracking systems that companies use these days to parse resumes. I don't know what I need to do to "break through". I really want some help with my process as a candidate, but don't know how to access the services of a really accomplished headhunter or recruiting firm. Anyone have any recommendations?

Chrishogg

272

01/08/21 at 4:34PM UTC

Okay, I’m not in sales and don’t know your situation or anything about you … but … I am 78-years-old, and made my last job change (turned out to be very short-lived and my former employer re-hired me) 5 years ago at age 73, and before that was hired at age 66, and before that at age 64, and before that at … well, you get the picture. All that to say this: forget about your age. Look, you were hired around March in 2019, and you were in your 50’s then, right? So now you’re a year older, right? If you could get hired in 2019 in your 50’s, why should it be any different in 2021? I just retired (July) after 20 years in the career-development and job-searching field, and it sounds to me (again, speaking from ignorance here) that you’re discouraged, befuddled, a little scared … and overreacting. You say you are in sales. You say you are good at sales. So, let me ask you this: Do the people who are buying from you care how old you are? Have you ever gone to a business person to sell them something, something that actually and legitimately can help them get customers, make money, or solve a problem, and they agree that they need and want the product or service, but then, at the very last moment they say, “We just found out you’re in your (pick a number)’s, and therefore we don’t want what you’re selling”? Ain’t gonna happen. You have a product to sell, which is, of course, yourself. You say you’re good at sales. If you are, then go out and sell yourself. Or sit at home, spend all your time on Facebook, LinkedIn, maybe even FairyGodBoss, reading all the posts from all the people complaining about ageism and worrying that “I’m too old, no one will hire me.” Haters gonna hate, discriminators gonna discriminate, and there’s nothing you or I can do about that. But c’mon, you’re in sales, right? You’re good at sales, right? So get out there and sell (and just keep overcoming all of Katrina’s objections, keep pointing out the features and benefits, until Katrina finally buys what you’re selling). Oh, by the way, you’re talking here about updating your resume. Wrong focus. And if you’re thinking of applying to advertised jobs (with a wonderful resume). Wrong approach. You should be thinking networking plus informational interviewing. Applying to advertised jobs is like cold calling. Networking and informational interviewing is like warm leads where you’re referred by a prospect’s trusted acquaintance. Look me up on LinkedIn (use the words “balance” and “no” as part of your search), shoot me an email, and I’ll send back a resource guide that lays it all out. PS – You’ll run into hundreds of people who will give you all kinds of suggestions on how to “age proof” your resume. If it were me, I’d forget about all that (my resume begins in 1967) and simply be the salesperson you claim to be.

2 Replies

Anonymous

01/08/21 at 5:57PM UTC

OMG you rock! Love the real life experienced advice. I agree with everything you said. I have not noticed age being a deterrent either.

Katrina

02/03/21 at 3:03AM UTC

Are you under your name Chris Hogg? Thank you for the uplifting reply.

1 Reply

Chrishogg

272

02/03/21 at 11:59AM UTC

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishogg--ohio/ And please include a personal note, otherwise I'll probably not accept

Chrishogg

272

01/08/21 at 5:45PM UTC

Oops --- make that "balanced" and not balance if you look me up.

Anonymous

01/09/21 at 1:31AM UTC

I'm in my early 40's, and I feel like this is starting to happen to me. I think a lot of companies want fresh out of college types they can pay low salaries and seem to disregard experience. That being said, I do know people older than I am who have had no problem job hopping. So, it may be a matter of luck.

Anonymous

01/09/21 at 2:12PM UTC

It’s funny. When I moved from corporate to nonprofit and academia, suddenly my whole life experience became valuable. I’m 53 and my regular resume goes back to 2005, but my CV has work as far back as 1989, before I graduated college. After years of dropping an early job from my resume, digging back that far was at first hard to do but became an exercise in celebrating my accomplishments. And also a source of a lot of good stories that I could bring up in interviews even if I decided to leave them off. (I cataloged buttons at Chanel HQ back in 1991, during one longish temping stint). I think that even if you are planning to drop early experiences from your resume you should still be able to discuss relevant experiences if something comes up in a job interview. I’ve done a lot of freelancing over the years, so my resume has a section on clients where I highlight the most relevant and interesting sounding companies. It’s not dated so I can include earlier projects without calling attention to age. I remove companies where the project might be dated (Lotus Notes, anyone?). I have mentored people in their late 40s and early 50s, men as well as women, and they are all nervous about the age thing. I tell them to build confidence in their experience of working with people in general. Of having a long view of projects and markets. Of having faced and handled multitudes of situations and having the maturity to make calm, non reactive decisions.

Rosa Goes

123

01/11/21 at 4:07PM UTC

In addition to listing only 10 years of past work experience and no college dates, highlight accomplishments & communication skills for each position. You have manufacturing sales so most companies will want to see that you have the ability to bring them new business, i.e. include sales numbers, percentages, etc. Good luck!