I am trying to find employment and I know that I am experiencing ageism.

28 Comments

1. J WilliamsOctober 28,2024 at 7:59PM UTC

   Hi Joanne,

   do not give up there is A job for you out there, that will want your experience !

   Be encouraged.

2. AnonymousOctober 28,2024 at 11:01PM UTC

   Ageism is real. I deal with it on a daily basis. But I do believe there is a great place for us all. How do we change the mindset of others? I’m almost 60 and have years to work. Not going out to pasture, ever. My oldest colleague is 80! ❤️

3. AnonymousOctober 29,2024 at 12:38AM UTC

   hi joanne. I am so sorry. I'm 63 and feel this. but, perhaps it's time to go somewhere in which you will be appreciated. maybe the "hospitality" folks are superficial and looking for that 29 year old blonde..who knows? In the meantime, make sure you're looking sharp on interviews (fresh haircut, makeup, shoes, etc). Look sharp! :) After I lost one job due to corporate buyout, I did volunteer work at a womens shelter...and WOW...I found my tribe! They don't care about age- they care about hearts! I'm now working in addiction medicine with 29 yeaar olds and 78 year olds! I love it! Start volunteering and stop trying to "fit" into someone else's box. You've got this!

4. AnonymousOctober 29,2024 at 3:17PM UTC

   Great advice!! I’m in my mid sixties and thought during the pandemic I’d have to retire because of my age. Wrong! I leveraged all my admin skills and went for an exec asst position.. I did not want to be a manager anymore and did t want to be the big cheese. So I opted to assist the big cheese. I ended up in a foundation and just love it! My age is not an issue except for me. My boss is over 20 years younger than I am, the ceo is mid 70s. The majority of workers are much younger. So fun! So glad I don’t have to retire it would drive me crazy.

5. AnonymousNovember 3,2024 at 10:50PM UTC

   So happy for you!!

6. Star7October 29,2024 at 3:45AM UTC

   Hmmm. If you don't mind working from home, there are a lot of those types of jobs, especially customer service if you have a computer. Some companies provide this for you. I have considered it for a side gig, to make a little extra bank. A tip someone once told me years ago, the Yellow pages are possible employers.

7. AnonymousOctober 30,2024 at 1:08PM UTC

   The hospitality industry is a great place to be a consultant. Not sure what roles and responsibilities are in your wheel house. Look at that as a possibility. Real Estate is huge. You could offer seminars to a niche market(s). Start by partnering with a local real Estate office or a Credit Union and offer a first time home buyer seminar( Maybe they will pay you to present as this will give them a list of clients) . If not, charge a nominal (introductory) fee. Make sure to have great marketing materials and presentation. Cover topics of need to have this, this, and this before you start your search. Then offer addition classes on how to improve credit score, how to be prepared for NO's, Why a home inspection is worth it. Maybe offer a class in the pitfalls of absentee landlord, Flipping houses, etc. Again, not knowing your real estate experience is i am only giving some ideas.

8. AnonymousOctober 30,2024 at 1:53PM UTC

   The social services industries are more open to older workers. To be brutally honest, it’s because high turnover, burnout and low pay have forced them to. But as another poster indicated, it may be a good fit. Low pay is better than no pay and the need is huge.

9. AnonymousOctober 30,2024 at 2:11PM UTC

   Also, seek jobs that give some/all the wages you need. Talk withe everyone you know about looking for work (taking on a new adventure). Friends, neighbors, house of worship, hobby. Perhaps they know of someone.

   Strangers - who don't have a history of employing folks over a certain age, may have a bias. While some folks suggest to always update your look (contemporary clothes, hair, etc.) to help - and it can help in certain groups, at the end of the day, it comes down to the job - can it get done in the speed and way they want it done.

   My mom retired a decade ago. To make some buffer money (also for community and sense of responsibility as she liked having something to do), she started working seasonally at local stores stocking shelves. She's also been an assistant in the career she worked in - real estate (she found some women she knew in the same field who owned their own business and they hired her to help around the office with filings, calls, showings, etc.). She also worked for my brother and helped him get his property management business off the ground. She volunteered locally, and through some friendships, a few of them worked at the local grocery store for a time- as a friend group.

   If you're in real estate, is there any benefit in you keeping your license and being a referral agent? (it's some money). Could you connect with your former colleagues and be a speaker or trainer? Even on a consulting basis?

   I hope these suggestions (mainly PT work) help spur some ideas. Definitely network strategically.

   The good news is, with your background, it sounds like you'd be great working with people. Tap into hobbies too (pets, etc.). Freelance work via sites like Upwork.

   Write down your absolute needs (wages, hours, physical work, learning capabilities) and start shifting to areas that serve those better. If there is an Aging resource center near you (or ask a librarian or hospital services)--they may also have contacts to help you.

   I wouldn't advise getting a career coach on this topic- only if you need help creating your own business.

   Good luck!

10. AnonymousOctober 30,2024 at 4:04PM UTC

    This is a tough one, if you can prove they did not consider you due to age them make a claim with the EEOC and also the FEHA.

    As for what to do best is come in energetic, engaged, and ready to hit the ground running. These days the value of experience in some situations is not valued as it has been in the past so you have to do things very nimbly to show that whatever gets tossed at you, you can handle. Keep going!

11. Regina BrownOctober 30,2024 at 8:54PM UTC

    The AARP job board has lots of positions available.

12. AnonymousOctober 31,2024 at 12:46PM UTC

    Just wondering how is your appearance? Ageism

    is real. But, you can control your appearance. Is your wardrobe hair and makeup making you look older? Or. Do you appear young and energetic?

13. CYNTHIANovember 1,2024 at 12:40PM UTC

    Are you suggesting that she dye her hair, dress like a 30-year-old, and get a facelift to land a job? What do those parameters have to do with her ability to perform?

14. AnonymousNovember 2,2024 at 12:20PM UTC

    Are you saying appearances don't count?

    I can see many of the women here don't understand the simple fact:

    "Image is everything!"

15. Rebecca MillikenNovember 1,2024 at 1:03PM UTC

    There is only so much you can do. You can dye your hair and get a face lift but at some point those efforts are more of a distraction than making you look younger.

16. Abbi GoldOctober 31,2024 at 1:47PM UTC

    Ageism is rampant. Every application wants graduation years. It’s easy for employers to do the math. I’ve been applying for work for two months, for roles that I have decades of experience, and keep getting a “thanks, but no” response or simply ghosted. So frustrating. I wish you luck in your search.

17. Ellen ClarkNovember 1,2024 at 1:45PM UTC

    Some of the things they ask for is illegal. I am certain some of them are looking up my age.

18. AnonymousNovember 1,2024 at 12:29PM UTC

    AARP job board has companies they have vetted to appreciate seasoned workers

19. Dr. Angela Honeycutt, DMNovember 1,2024 at 1:31PM UTC

    What type of work did you do in hospitality? Do you have a mentor? Are you active physically? Do you have transportation?

20. AnonymousNovember 1,2024 at 2:17PM UTC

    You are exactly the type of person that is the problem if this is how you think. I wonder how you will feel when you experience ageism? It's very real and starts around 40. Also some people can't afford to retire or don't want to.

21. Tricia zoccoNovember 1,2024 at 2:25PM UTC

    your response is the def of ageism

22. AnonymousNovember 1,2024 at 2:38PM UTC

    Your response is the VERY definition of ageism and is in direct violation of the ADA. The questions you ask should be of no relevance. The only thing that should matter is if this person is ready, willing and able to work. I hope you aren't anyone's manager, supervisor or in any type of leadership position. You will earn the company a big, fat lawsuit. God help us all (as we will all age god willing) if we EVER come across a person like you. Your response seems like a cruel joke! The audacity is outrageous!

23. AnonymousNovember 1,2024 at 2:52PM UTC

    It's a very cold response

24. Cat the CoachNovember 1,2024 at 2:59PM UTC

    Your very own reply reeks of ageism. You prove her theory. "someone who should be retired"??? Retirement may not be an option, nor a desire.

    My husband just turned 60 and you can rest assured that he has more up-to-date technological savvy than 99% of the population, regardless of age.
    Appearance? As long as she is showing up professionally in accordance with the job she is applying for, what is the assumed issue?
    As for physical health, she may outperform people half her age.
    You don't know but made several erroneous assumptions about potential problems based on her age.

25. Elizabeth j jacksonNovember 1,2024 at 4:07PM UTC

    Im sorry that you're experiencing these issues. I think you could still land something, just stay patient and keep it going. At 70 you can fully retire, from the research Ive done. Maybe this will be a great option for you at that time? I am considering retiring at 62 (5 more years!), but if I stay working, Im not gonna let anyone stop me. I know alot, have a lot and give a lot, Im a working machine! lol

26. AnonymousNovember 1,2024 at 4:08PM UTC

    Your statements are all perfect examples of ageism, how do you know that physical health is compromised or that tech skills are lower? YHou are an ageism violater not a helpful commentor.

27. Teri GordonNovember 1,2024 at 4:52PM UTC

    Your reply is exactly ageism! So would you tell Biden (81) or Trump (78) for the past 18-20 years they should have retired because they would be 60? Seriously. You are the problem. Look at the leaders of companies. Many are over 60. And if younger people would have issues working with someone older, then how about fatter? how about a different skin color? how about a different sex or sexual orientation? wouldn't you fire that person for being insensitive and not a team player? As a leader, you should re-evaluate your comments.

28. AnonymousNovember 1,2024 at 5:52PM UTC

    To those of you criticizing this poster's response - what she's saying is something we don't want to hear but should. Although her message is rife with misconceptions, at least we know some of the obstacles.

    And to Anonymous - what you are saying is contradictory. You're implying that the OP is playing the victim yet at the same time validating what she already suspects. People who've been around the block this long know BS when they see it. Plus, if you keep any mention of this in writing there would be legal ramifications.

    What is the difference between a 30-year-old who leaves after 2 years for a better job vs. a 62-year-old who doesn't plan to retire till her 70's? Chances are you'll end up with a responsible, mature, and knowledgeable employee everyone can respect. Don't make assumptions about people. Someday you might be in their position and know what I'm talking about.