I’m over 50 and not getting any responses to my resume submissions.

44 Comments

1. AnonymousApril 1,2022 at 12:09PM UTC

   I'm getting fewer and fewer responses. Aging sucks. Maybe you can find a way to be your own boss. Idk. Good luck!

2. Goalsetter620337April 1,2022 at 12:33PM UTC

   You shouldn't be able to tell how old one is from a resume. Delete yrs from your education. Keep 15-20 years of your job history, you can leave off jobs before 20 years ago.

3. Nancy BrennerApril 1,2022 at 12:47PM UTC

   Females over 45 land interviews, but not jobs.

4. AnonymousApril 1,2022 at 4:46PM UTC

   This is categorically false and a wildly irresponsible thing to post. We can continue to perpetuate this female victim status in the work place or take a proactive approach to crafting our ow

   career paths. Shame on you!

5. AnonymousApril 1,2022 at 6:21PM UTC

   I think YOUR response is awfully harsh and YOU should be shamed.

6. AnonymousApril 2,2022 at 5:43PM UTC

   It's not categorically false. It's reality. I've seen the internal reports on health care costs for older workers and the internal reply from higher ups that they don't want that expense. There's no repercussion for them not to hire someone who falls into a demographic that costs them extra money in time off and/or rising premiums, so they won't do it. I can't even imagine where you get "wildly irresponsible" from......you do realize that you sound a bit dramatic? There's nothing wrong with asking for other people's experiences; it's not a shameful thing to ask a question.

7. AnonymousApril 2,2022 at 5:35PM UTC

   Yeah, I upskilled into a profession that advertises itself as having a huge shortage of workers, got a full scholarship to study it, got straight A's by staying up nights to study while I worked, took all the dates off of my resume, changed my wardrobe, hid my grey hair, went to conferences on scholarship, etc. and all I have gotten for the last year is tons of interviews. I've taken their logic tests (did fine), their personality tests (did fine), done virtual taped interviews (did fine), done CAR interviews, done panel interviews, and done individual interviews. Recruiters call me, tell me how much I'd like the good job they can get me, and then ghost me the minute I ask about age. The only people in my field who will hire me are the semi-drunk older males who (not kidding) walk out of the interview halfway through it to pee or vomit, then wander back in to hire me when they remember they left the conversation. My other option was to keep cleaning for $10 an hour, or work in child care and get exposed to COVID because parents dope their kids up with Tylenol to hide the fevers. I still make more money at my current job, and it's safe, but it's not secure, since the people in charge are less than sober. I'm considering becoming a bug bounty hunter right now, there's no age limit on hacking. I guess I just had to learn the hard way; I haven't met anyone yet who has gotten a decent job after 50.

8. KathyApril 1,2022 at 1:50PM UTC

   Ugh! Frustrating. A large part of getting your resume seen and landing interviews is who you know. At one point, as a hiring manager, I received so many resumes, it was impossible to spend time digging deeply into them. A cover letter helped but what helped more was someone recommending someone they knew who had the qualifications. LinkedIn is a powerful tool for this. You might have a direct connection (1st) who is "related" to someone working for a company you'd like to work for (2nd). Ask for an introduction. Those soft introductions can make all the difference. Good luck!

9. Sarah StadtherrApril 1,2022 at 2:03PM UTC

   I signed up for a free resume rewrite service.
   They did a good job (for the most part). The one I used wanted me to "tip" PAY for the service. I replied that I had been out of work since October and couldn't afford anything. After a couple of days they released my resume. Point of the story is that my same info got buffed up into a more modern format and I'd recommend perking yours up too. There are many templates available too. If all else fails ask a few friends do it and see which set up looks better.

10. Sabrina CortesApril 2,2022 at 4:06PM UTC

    As a professional Resume Writer, I'd recommend choosing templates that are simple. Graphic templates with a lot of lines and tables don't do well with most applicant tracking systems (ATS). Unfortunately when these systems scan your resume, if it's in a graphic format a majority of the time the information in those boxes either is misinterpreted or left out completely. We definitely don't want that.

11. Sabrina CortesApril 1,2022 at 2:06PM UTC

    I'm a professional Resume Writer and unfortunately, agism is a thing.

    Resumes cover the last 10-15 years of employment. Leave off any years for earlier work and don't go into detail about those roles. Also, don't list dates for education or certifications unless the degree is within the last year, or unless the certification is within the last 5 years.

    I'd also layout your resume sections in the following order: ~ Personal Information (Omit street address)

    ~ Summary

    ~ Area of Expertise/Strengths (also called Core Competencies)

    ~ Career Achievements

    ~ Professional Experience

    ~ Education

    ~ Professional Memberships

    ~ Volunteer Experience

    I hope this helps and feel free to reach out if you have any questions, ok?

    Best of luck to you!

12. Tanya OrsellApril 1,2022 at 4:10PM UTC

    I’ve recently gone to a similar format for my resume. It’s when you get to the application they ask for dates of employment or education. I use a tailored resume for jobs I’m applying to each time as well. Highlighting the skills pertinent to the job applied. Thanks for the advice!

13. Sabrina CortesApril 1,2022 at 4:34PM UTC

    That's great that you're already using this format.

    Can you list your most recent jobs (within the last 10 years) on the applications and leave it at that? That might help.

14. Marina Z.April 2,2022 at 1:53AM UTC

    Hello! Would you create those as specific headers/bold bullets? I am working to redo mine and taking all the advice!

15. Sabrina CortesApril 2,2022 at 2:28AM UTC

    Hi Marina!

    Yep, put the section headers in BOLD text and all CAPS. You can Left Justify them, but I prefer to have them centered.

    Like I told Martina above - I offer free resume reviews. (NO STRINGS ATTACHED and I don't spam you either - especially because I don't like it when people do it to me, so I don't do it to others). :))

    If you'd like, you can email me your resume and I'll give you feedback on it. My email is sabrina@writewithsabrina.com.

16. Marina Z.April 2,2022 at 1:59AM UTC

    Also, is there a specific resume template or format you suggest? I had mine done by an outplacement agency but am not getting much feedback/interest so it’s time...

17. Sabrina CortesApril 2,2022 at 2:25AM UTC

    I offer free resume reviews. (NO STRINGS ATTACHED and I don't spam you either - especially because I don't like it when people do it to me, so I don't do it to others). :))

    If you'd like, you can email me your resume and I'll give you feedback on it. My email is sabrina@writewithsabrina.com.

18. AnonymousApril 1,2022 at 2:20PM UTC

    This isn't going to be the most popular response: might be time for a resume refresh instead of placing full blame on your perceived age. Perhaps there's an opportunity for you to try a new resume format, update your personal statement or re-do your cover letter. Are you customizing your resume every time you apply for a new job or just sending the same template regardless of position and employer?

    Does your resume convey significant professional achievements with metrics on how you saved employers money or time, or increased efficiencies? Maybe you were able to get a new program up and running.

    While a drag, I might suggest that you start experimenting with two or three resume formats to see which gets you the most attention. Or try something new in your cover letter...google something called a "T-Format" cover letter that gets you away from that nonsense of a personal narrative.

    You're going to need to get creative here. If that's additional training that moves you out of that distribution center space or aggressively pursuing a new network, a new job won't just magically arrive on your door step. You have 100% control over your own professional trajectory. Best of luck in your search.

19. Tanya OrsellApril 1,2022 at 4:11PM UTC

    Thanks for the input on the cover letter! Going to incorporate this style going forward.

20. Barb HansenApril 1,2022 at 3:20PM UTC

    What are the chances that the reason you're not getting interviews is related to your age?

    Probably really high.

    Can you do something about that?

    Yes, there are things you can do about that. You can change your resume to show only your last 10/12 years of work. You can lean into your experiences (your ability to get work done because you've been there and done that) without listing your complete work history. I highly recommend finding a resume writer/career coach (or doing your research) that specializes in working with mid/late career clients.

    I did just that about five years ago (I worked with a career coach who specialized in working with mid/late career clients). I'm close to 60, and I work in high-tech startup-land. Startup land is not friendly to women in general, let alone a woman with grey hair. About five years ago, I started to look for a new job and wasn't getting any bites, but after my resume refreshed, I started to get bites and got a new job.

    It's possible; it's just going to take a different resume and a little bit more work. Good luck.

21. AnonymousApril 2,2022 at 5:22PM UTC

    Could you share the name of your career coach, or their business name, please, unless it's against the rules.

22. Barb HansenApril 3,2022 at 2:39AM UTC

    Angie Callen. Her company is Career Benders - https://careerbenders.com/

    She's also a member of FGB

23. Hilary OborghayujieApril 1,2022 at 6:40PM UTC

    I submission is that you hire a professional who can support you to tailor you resume or CV to your desire position. You can find their support on LinkedIn.

24. AnonymousApril 2,2022 at 11:56AM UTC

    I'm a mid career switcher (read: in my mid 40s) and I have had a hard time too.
    Some things that have helped: hiring a career coach, getting more certifications, and networking more than ever. Applying on websites hasn't gotten me responses: reaching out to people who attended the same university I did or who worked at my former employer has helped. I didn't even know those people, but saying that we went to the same college and knew similar people usually opens some doors and gets you a second look.

25. Kristie WhiteApril 2,2022 at 2:02PM UTC

    Without seeing your resume, I can't speak to specifics. But ageism is quite real, though younger people seem determined to deny it. As someone who is 64, I know one reason I started my own business 18+ years ago was to avoid being in this situation. But even as the business owner, I experience it because my clients wonder what happens when I choose to retire. So from my perspective, when you get to the interview, you need to dress well, stand up straight, and present yourself with the confidence that your years of experience have taught you. You know what you are capable of - and you need to communicate that strength to the recruiter sitting across from you. You need to tell them how qualified you are, how much your experience has taught you to see between the lines and understand the full picture, and how quickly you can ramp up to full production because you have so much experience. Don't let that recruiter think you are less than you are - or make you think that either. Tell them how you can improve the results of the position and put systems and processes in place to make it a more efficient position when you leave. Remind them that 1/3 of all employees leave within the first six months, but you are loyal and will not jump because you are stable in your phase of your career.

26. YunaApril 3,2022 at 10:21AM UTC

    My boss in his 70's used to address it right away. Even though most people did not care since he was a wealthy business owner. But I feel that women are faced with a double standard. We can't address our age in the same context in the same way that when someone asks me where I was born, I can't say I'm uncomfortable with the question.....we're navigating multiple biases where any and all responses can be proof of whatever bias a person holds.

27. Jennifer TaylorApril 2,2022 at 6:41PM UTC

    I’m 53 and just landed a great job, more money than I’ve ever made. Are you networking on LinkedIn? Contacting the recruiter and hiring manager asking for informational meetings? You have to do more than sending resumes. Job searching is 90% connections and being active and visible on LinkedIn.

28. AnonymousApril 2,2022 at 11:46PM UTC

    I’m in the same boat, just landed a high-paying job and I’ll be 50 this year. Totally agree on engaging your network. Excellent advice!

29. Marina Z.April 3,2022 at 3:38AM UTC

    love to hear this!

30. Amy GeffenApril 3,2022 at 2:22AM UTC

    I lost a job at 65 and still found several positions. The best way to find a job is through networking - building relationships. Reconnect with former colleagues, former supervisors. Connect to alumni from your high school and college on LinkedIn. Meet people through your professional association. Change your resume to include only last ten years of work experience. Take off dates of graduation. Do not use word Email before your email address on top. Do not use Cell before your phone number on top.

31. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistApril 3,2022 at 2:51AM UTC

    No one should be able to tell your age from your resume unless you're telling them that info. If you're getting no response to your resume, it's the resume.

    What have you don't so far in your job search? Where do you have your resume posted? How often are you refreshing those profiles? Is your LinkedIn profile updated and up to snuff?

32. AnonymousApril 3,2022 at 10:08AM UTC

    Its an epic epic nightmare. I look about 35, roughly ten years younger than I am and when I was nearing 40, I lost a job to a 19 year old. Its taking longer and longer to find a job and I'm offered less money than in my early 20's when I had little experience and education. job interviewers ask my age and race. Coworkers ask for my age and race. If I don't answer, I'm stuck up...We need more protection and more blind hiring. As well as independent HR interviewers with years of experience in hiring practices that have a better track rate of hiring for the qualifications and objective fit than inexperienced interviewers who trust their gut more than their education and training in hiring. Often even panel interviews with objective questions that they ask all applicants can lean too much into bias. Unless the system changes, I don't think as individuals, we can somehow single handedly upend tradition. My last job was in the county government where there was a bias towards hiring middle aged applicants. But because I looked ten years younger and I'm asian, they frequently treated me like a child rather than a very skilled worker that accomplished more in a few months than they did in double that time. I don't think it's hopeless. But I do think some creative editing on a resume can be the beacon of light here. There are companies who now accept blind resumes without company name, dates or any information that can gauge sex/race/age based information for a truly objective experience.

33. Hilary OborghayujieApril 3,2022 at 7:56PM UTC

    Hire expert to do your CV for you, that is the error you are making. Getting offers nowadays required significant and strategic planning. It can be resource consumption.

34. AnonymousApril 4,2022 at 2:57AM UTC

    was laid off at 51 and 6 months later I got an offer at a great salary for a reasonably Ok job (not my field, but office work for a well known company). I had gotten several intereviews, an offer (that I lost),but I networked my way into the job I now have. I found an ad online, didn't really know what it was about, and decided to look up the job title on Linked IN to see if anyone else had that title--I thought that if that person had a bulleted list of duties, I'd finally figure what the job was! Turns out I had a connection with someone with the job title, and i asked my old colleague to put us in touch. from there it was a swift process to short interviews and an offer. So maybe explore all o the connections of your connections and follow all of the employers you'd like to work for, etc. Good luck.

35. Shelley Maley, Career Coach (PHR, GCDF)April 4,2022 at 12:23PM UTC

    Hi Tanya,

    Unfortunately, ageism is very real. I encourage you to check out the employers who have been certified as "age-friendly".

    "The Age-Friendly Institute’s Certified Age Friendly Employer (CAFE) program is the nation’s only certification program that identifies organizations committed to being the best places to work for employees aged 50+. Since the Certified Age-Friendly Employer (CAFE) Program was created in 2005, hundreds of leading companies and organizations have earned the distinction of being recognized as a Certified Age Friendly Employer."

    Hoping for your next opportunity to come along soon!

36. AnonymousApril 26,2022 at 11:19AM UTC

    You can also check out AARP’s website careers section.

37. AnonymousApril 4,2022 at 9:16PM UTC

    Yes. Just last year I was able to change jobs. I for sure experienced it as well. It makes it harder but not impossible. I just decided they were missing out on the great things my experience could offer them and it was a reflection on them, and not on me. I adjusted my very old hotmail email to a gmail account. I also took off the years of graduation to university, and I put only last 10 years of relevant work experience on my resume and LinkedIn. That enabled me to get me in the door more often, and once I was in, I showed my high energy and enthusiasm, and my ability to adapt to change and new technology. I did some virtual networking and that helped me meet others in the industry who could guide me on what my value was I was bringing and what to emphasize when I was selling myself. I also tried to dress and present younger and not too frumpy. Had my young adult daughters help me with that a bit. Updated makeup and some wardrobe styling tricks were key. I am 52. I am fortunate to be with a company now who is very keen on removing our hiring biases as much as possible. It is simply a part of the culture. I hope more companies start doing this.

38. Tiana MumfordApril 6,2022 at 4:42PM UTC

    Good day that’s unfortunate. Hopefully they are not going on your age because that is discrimination. However I am aware it does exist I seen it myself.

39. Leslie MillsApril 7,2022 at 10:42PM UTC

    I am sitting here, nodding my head. I am older than you. I have experienced many similar situations. I get many responses to my resumes and applications. I have excellent skills and much experience.

    I am invited to interview most of the time.

    I interview very well ( no bragging, I have been told this by others). I am sometimes invited to successive interviews, but I am not offered the job.

    I understand that I will not be offered every job, but I am getting too many rejections, for a variety of lame reasons.

    I believe the real reason for my lack of success is what I call “the Gray Ceiling “ the level we cannot overcome because of our age.

    What do we do to solve this problem? It is almost impossible to prove, even when we know it is the reason.

    Mature employees have better attendance, the best work ethic, and determination to do even more

    than expected. We usually do not require medical coverage,, we can

    work a flex schedule.

    Why don’t most organizations view us as desirable assets instead of less than a good fit?

    Maybe that is why employers are having so much trouble hiring.

    Here’s to us, the overlooked but never broken!

    Leslie

40. Aimee RoblesApril 10,2022 at 1:36PM UTC

    I am 31 and feeling frustrated too. I think we are moving more to doing our own little side hustles and businesses.

41. Nancy BrennerApril 10,2022 at 6:06PM UTC

    Side hustles are good, but insurance is very important.

42. Deirdre D'AmicoApril 11,2022 at 3:02PM UTC
43. Cynthia (Van Syoc) KendallApril 15,2022 at 4:09PM UTC

    I am going on 61 and am in the same boat. There is real discrimination when it comes to older workers. It is very real unfortunately. They dont value what we as older experienced workers bring to the table.

44. Lori KainulainenApril 27,2022 at 3:02PM UTC

    I feel like I am in the same boat also. I have had numerous interviews and submissions from recruiters. I have a lot of experience and worked at many companies and I hate to have the attitude that I am too old. I keep pushing, but its a disappointing road to go on. Thanks for letting me vent.