icon
Home icon

Home

Jobs icon

Jobs

Reviews icon

Reviews

Network icon

Network

Resources icon

Resources

|For Employers icon

For Employers

logo
about
careers
FAQs
privacy policyterms & conditionsfor employers
112k
20k
icon
© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.
My ProfileMy MessagesMy NetworkMy SettingsGroupsEventsMy PostsLog Out
Mystery Woman
Tell us more for better jobs, advice
and connections
YOUR GROUPS
Discover and join groups with like-minded women who share your interests, profession, and lifestyle.
COMPANIES YOU FOLLOW
Get alerted when there are new employee reviews.
YOUR JOB ALERTS
Get notified when new jobs are posted.
Your post is published!
Meg Tully
star-svg
17
09/29/20 at 2:10PM UTC
in
Consulting

64 YEARS OLD

I am 64 years old and now find myself without a job. I am constantly on the career websites and have found jobs that I am more than qualified for. I am not getting the response I would have thought I would of gotten. I am feeling I am not getting the employer to respond because of my age. I have also found that the title of Vice President of Sales that I have had for the last 20 years is reflecting a salary range that is about 1/2 of what I was making. I plan on working at least another 5 years. I need to work another 5 years. I have a wealth of experience, loyal to a fault and am very dependable. I am just not sure what path I should be taking at this time. I would love your thoughts on this very frustrating circumstance! Thank you for your interest and your support.

Share

Join the conversation...
Bridget Fitzpatrick
star-svg
54
63 years old, now what?
10/01/20 at 5:27PM UTC
Hi Meg, I am 63 and kind of in the same boat. I have hired a life coach and that has been super helpful. It's weird to be this age but feel like I am 33 with lots more good stuff to contribute. My advice to you is step a little outside of your comfort zone and figure out what you have always wanted to do. If it is still sales, spend time imagining yourself in that position as if it has already happened. Don't make your age an issue for you or for anyone else. My response to people who think I am "too old" is "your loss!" I know it's not easy but this is the time to gather everything about you that your are proud of, the skills that you are good at, and decide that you are going to be the best employee that anyone can find. Have faith in yourself so the world can have faith with you. Good luck!
Barb Hansen
star-svg
6.67k
Startup Product, Growth & Strategy
09/29/20 at 6:30PM UTC
In my early 50s, I found myself in a similar situation as you - lots of executive experience and only the sounds of crickets when I sent out my resume. If I was a man, companies would be banging down my electronic door to hire me. But would they respond to a resume from an older woman? Nope I started with re-doing my resume. I hired a career coach/resume crafter who was familiar with situations like mine. We worked together to redo my resume. It was difficult because I wanted to show everything that I had done in my career yet she showed me that less is more and focusing on my most recent (last 8 to 10 years) accomplishments was the way to go and she was right. I started to get responses from my resume and landed a new job (which I have since left because I'm now a co-founder of a startup). I'm happy to share the name of the person that helped me with my resume. I'll update this thread in a few hours (I have to get to a few meetings now)
Meg Tully
star-svg
17
09/29/20 at 8:12PM UTC
Thank you, I would love the name and contact info for this person. TY!
Barb Hansen
star-svg
6.67k
Startup Product, Growth & Strategy
09/29/20 at 9:09PM UTC
Angie from Career Benders (it's her company). https://careerbenders.com/ She offers a free strategy session, so there is no harm in talking to her. She really did a great job with my resume and helping me reshape how I thought and talked about my career. Good luck. I'm always happy to connect here on FGB and LinkedIn. I have a startup that will be hiring a sales leader in a few months and I have no problem hiring "women of a certain age" :)
Anonymous
09/29/20 at 12:43PM UTC
Combination of networking and job hunting. When I lived in Michigan, I went to discussions on ageism through their workforce commission. It was helpful and applicable.
Trina Schneider
star-svg
365
I help forge new markets and build brands
09/29/20 at 12:59AM UTC
Never say never - you’ve been 100% successful in the past.
Anonymous
09/28/20 at 10:46PM UTC
Something that many may find if they haven't been in the job market recently is that wage stagnation is very real. Many workers with less years in the workforce are sadly used to making far less than what used to be market value. I think you may need to assess what is most needed - money or continued gratification from work. If you're in the latter demographic, a pay cut may not be the worst thing. If not, you may have to assess other possible titles that perhaps you're overlooking.
Meg Tully
star-svg
17
09/28/20 at 10:54PM UTC
Most recent, I started approaching companies looking for Sales Directors, Sales Manager, even Regional Managers. I think lesser pay is the new norm. I will never see the wages from the good old days! LOL I am willing to accept a lower wage and still enjoy working. TY
Anonymous
09/28/20 at 9:41PM UTC
I am finding that at some companies the position titles are being inflated. Positions that had a manager title may now have a VP title. Have you checked the position requirements? I don't want to make generalizations, but perhaps companies are seeking younger hires, and some early career people are motivated by the title, but the title is not accompanied by the money. It makes it very hard for older workers like us because it prices us out of the market.
JW
star-svg
243
Food & Beverage/Business
09/30/20 at 1:53PM UTC
yes, ive seen ads for good positions that don't pay well, and even asking for experience. Some even say they are looking for energetic people, which seems like the new code word for young.
Meg Tully
star-svg
17
09/28/20 at 9:51PM UTC
I agree with you 100%. I had always said that a title never stopped me from filing or making my own photo copying or answering phones in Customer Service. I will look at the requirements. TY
Trina Schneider
star-svg
365
I help forge new markets and build brands
09/28/20 at 9:40PM UTC
I would suggest that you need to spend greater time networking than on job search boards. Your network is going to be able assist you with finding a position in your title/responsibilities/experience and salary requirements.
Anonymous
09/29/20 at 12:07AM UTC
Trina's advice is sound. 75% of the jobs are not on the job boards but found through networking. You won't have to worry over job titles or all the rest. Your goal is to find a champion or two or three. They are out there. As a bit of encouragement my neighbor who was 66 found her dream job by volunteering at a health fair - met a Dr. who hired her into his startup where she worked until she was 83. It is one of the major stem cell players and she had no experience for the role - she just had an amazing spirit he had to have on the team. Its out there! Just keep going at it every day....Good luck!!
Meg Tully
star-svg
17
09/28/20 at 9:52PM UTC
Thank you for the advise. I'll start networking a lot more. TY

You're invited.

See what women are sharing on Fairygodboss.
What's new today
wand-button
Personalize your jobs
Get recommendations for recent and relevant jobs.
Employer Reviews
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
3.0
Shiny objects aren't always the best. You'll find dozens of...
Seagate Technology
4.4
Such a great place to work, they offer great benefits and...
Recent Content
Are You Feeling the Pressure at Work? Identify and Manage Stress Symptoms With These Helpful Tips
Learn to Be a Workload Management Expert With These 7 Helpful Tips
How to Best Respond to Situations of Ageism in the Workplace — According to an Executive Coach
icon
© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.
  • about
  • careers
  • FAQs
  • privacy policy
  • terms & conditions
112k
20k