Job searching at 61.

19 Comments

1. C. GarrabrantMay 19,2025 at 2:56PM UTC

   Have you reached out to temp agencies? Many companies are offering freelance or temp work, regardless of age.

2. AnonymousMay 19,2025 at 3:03PM UTC

   Hi! Yes, it is so tough out there, and recruiters do seem to be inundated with a high volume of unqualified, qualified, and entirely spam/bot applicants. If you're getting referrals, have you asked for feedback from those orgs? It sounds like continuing to network might be a good call for you.

3. AnonymousMay 19,2025 at 3:15PM UTC

   If you are removing things such as work history more than 20 years (maybe shorten that up even more?), dates for education, etc. and you aren't even getting contacted for a phone screen...it's not your age. Have you had your resume reviewed? Worked with a job coach (opinions will vary greatly on them, but there are good ones out there who actually know what they are doing)?

4. AnonymousMay 19,2025 at 3:34PM UTC

   Are the roles you apply for remote, hybrid, or in person? I can guarantee you that you are likely correct--there aren't 100's of qualified candidates in person, but if management made a decision that the role could be done remotely, then there might be. I, myself noticed when I became frustrated with getting noticed, I switched to applying for hybrid/in-person and got a better ratio of response.

   Glad you have removed every trace of dates. Maybe scale back the roles you held to the last 8 years, and/or don't put dates for projects. I list relevant projects (and their accomplishments) in my last page so

5. AnonymousMay 19,2025 at 4:17PM UTC

   I am sorry you are having this experience. The job market is tough; I know some people who took almost a year or longer to find a job. Please don't give up. I will look at speaking to different recruiters. Also, have someone review your resume to ensure it matches what some employers are looking for.

6. AnonymousMay 19,2025 at 6:11PM UTC

   It's a rough market for everyone but especially hard for older workers. Whether or not age has something to do with your particular search is anyone's guess.

   What I would consider is networking hard. Cold submissions are fine in a robust market, it is not enough in a very competitive market such as this where you are going to have to get an inside track to get noticed.

   Other than that keep your certifications and education up to date and give the process patience. Good luck!

7. AnonymousMay 19,2025 at 9:58PM UTC

   Former IT recruiter here. Consider applying to insurance companies like BCBS or Unum/Colonial Life. Also I know y’all are tired of me responding and saying look at higher ed. This is where I work now and they hire multi generations. I work with 20-80 year olds. Maybe pivot to state employment.

8. KatMay 20,2025 at 5:13PM UTC

   State employment is stable, though the main trade-off there is much lower wages. But higher ed is not as stable as it used to be. Federal funding cuts to research are hitting higher ed very hard. Budgets are already tight due to tuition freezes, deferred maintenance and years of saving money by not filling positions as people leave or retire. Many places are looking at program closures and staff layoffs - including tenured professors. Not every program is friendly to older workers, so if you're in a space where they aren't trying to force you out due to your age, you are lucky.

9. AnonymousMay 21,2025 at 4:48PM UTC

   Yes, I left a very lucrative career as an IT recruiter making a lot more, but I have a better life/work balance. Federal funding is not affecting the work we are doing. We are not in research nor are faculty. Our tenured faculty have not left. Our oldest worker is 81. We are good here!

10. AnonymousMay 19,2025 at 9:59PM UTC

    Why not post it here for all to see or are you seeking to charge for your services??

11. AnonymousMay 19,2025 at 10:30PM UTC

    As I always say network. And not just LinkedIn and business contacts but like everywhere you go make sure people know that you’re looking. For example I got my job through my synagogue

12. Lacy WestonMay 20,2025 at 3:30PM UTC

    I can totally relate. I'm 70 with 30 years experience in my type of work. Age discrimination, radio silence and unemployed since Oct 2024.

13. Titra HamiltonMay 20,2025 at 3:50PM UTC

    I would definitely consider working on contract as an independent consultant (1099) and contracting temporary job/staffing companies. Willingness to work onsite is a plus. As a seasoned employee, you have a depth of experience that younger candidates do not have. They do not know because they simply haven't experienced it. Consider revising your resume to highlight problems solved, value delivered, money and time saved, etc. instead of focusing on what you did/tasks performed.

14. AnonymousMay 21,2025 at 6:02AM UTC

    Have you looked into consulting and or teaching? One of my retirement goals is to be a professor and teach a couple classes. You can even do some remote teaching. Something that brings in some income but not a typical 9-5.

15. ZeeCeeMay 21,2025 at 4:50PM UTC

    sending good vibes.

16. AnonymousMay 21,2025 at 6:59PM UTC

    Yes, I hear you.

    I saw this coming and at 68 am glad I embraced the world of contracting. About 5 years ago I got fed up with my lack of autonomy and time for my life so I took an area of my job that was very specific but most in my field of government licensing require. I slowly built a business offering this service only (no admin or managing others) and approached former employers and competitors my services. They were very trusted and our former relationships aided the access.

    This work is a bit self contained and so very easy to spin off to a contractor. It doesn't hurt that no one wants the responsibility of this work and unless you've done it before it is impossible to train for.

    Because my former employers require these licenses to complete their projects they pay handsomely and it is quite simple if you know what you're doing.

    This type of work can be performed 100% remotely with very little interaction with my clients and has proven to be recession proof and layoff proof. I was looking for a way to control my work, time and ensure my revenue was determined by me. Not an employer.

    It's not glamorous but I work 20 hours per week and make 2x my former W2 salary as a 1099 contractor. I set up an LLC and am working well past retirement age because it is too good not too. I travel, garden and take all those annoying 10am yoga classes I could never attend while working full-time.

    So think about areas of your business and the expertise you can offer and consider running your own show. With a.i. you can build a very flexible work-life and earn a great living. I'm finding ways to make my work even easier with a.i.

17. AnonymousMay 22,2025 at 12:49PM UTC

    Great ideas. The traditional formula of work. Getting promoted, earning bonuses and having security with your income is gone. The thought of hoping and praying for a little raise and breaking your spirit making your company rich is so depressing. Adding to that, bad managers. Unreasonable goals and considerable stress is not an easy pill to swallow. I don't want that life. So working for myself, remote and making money for me is what I'm building.

18. Patricia Osborne RandolphMay 22,2025 at 1:52PM UTC

    Have you considered a professional review of your resume?

19. Lisa ApolisMay 23,2025 at 1:09PM UTC

    As a pharma person with Quality and PM experience, you have a great skill set and knowledge base. I would suggest contacting the consulting firms (large/medium/small). Many, if not most, of them hire per diem consultants where assignments could be short or long, remote, hybrid or on-site. Medical writing/reviewing CMC documents is an area that has demand. A PM that has a quality background is desirable. Have you thought about looking into regulatory? I am a consultant for the generic drug industry focused on the US FDA. My career started in Quality (QC then QA) then moved into RA. I love it. Do you attend industry conferences? These are a fantastic place to meet like-minded folks who are always willing to help out. Pharma jobs aren't done in a silo - we have to work together. Feel free to reach out on LinkedIn.