Over 50 and Trouble Finding Job
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Anonymous
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I’m a 50yo woman. About 11 years ago, soon after my child was born, my job was transferred out of town. People in my industry also were being laid off by the thousands, so I switched fields and started freelancing.
Now I need a more lucrative and stable job. For 3 months, I’ve been applying for a variety of jobs (in current and former industries, FT, PT, admin positions) and haven’t gotten a single nibble. I think my age may be a factor because I’m overqualified for most of these jobs. Suggestions? |
Anonymous
| Are you just finding listings and applying? That won’t work. You need an introduction. |
Anonymous
| It might be they are afraid that you would rather freelance and won't like a permanent job. |
Anonymous
| I don’t think that 3 months is such a long time for a job search, especially if you do specialized work. I would give it a few more months before I’d get concerned. Also - I wouldn’t necessarily think that people are that eager to hire someone who’s overqualified. It’s usually better to apply for jobs that are a good fit. |
Anonymous
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1. Use AI to update your resume.
2. Work your network and tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job - this will get you leads into jobs/industries you may not have thought about. 3. Read job descriptions and then write your resume to reflect the activities listing as closely as possible. Add keywords from the job description that will get picked up by any software that scans for matches or recruiters just scanning your resume. |
Anonymous
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I’m in my 30s, advanced degree, currently employed in an in-demand STEM discipline within a huge industry. I have been applying for jobs since the beginning of this year and haven’t even had one interview. Look at Reddit: many people are having this experience.
You know all those tech layoffs at those huge, prestigious tech companies? Those people have to get jobs too. The market is flooded with people applying to jobs. Flooded! |
Anonymous
| I'm mid-fifties and have been a part time substitute for four years, home for seven years. I started very passively applying for jobs in January. Got one interview, no go, a few nibbles but just secured a job in July and will start in September. So it can be done but you have to be persistent and patient that it will happen. Good luck! I was shocked the HR specialist wanted the months of the first three jobs I had 25 years ago. I just made something up. Who the heck tracks months and years of jobs anymore?! I just track years. But that's for another post. ; ) |
Anonymous
I agree. The market isn’t terrible, but it’s not too rosy either. OP needs some persistence. |
Anonymous
Ditto |
Anonymous
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AARP has some good information for job seekers over age 50.
https://learn.aarp.org/work-jobs-webinars https://www.aarp.org/work/careers/ |
Anonymous
| Ask someone who will be serious about it to review your resume. Or hire someone. People cannot write resumes and if you haven't gotten a single call, there is likely something wrong with yours. Also, you have to tailor the resume for every job you are applying for. You cannot just sent the same resume out to all jobs. |
Anonymous
| I can relate. I am in the same position. 50+ Female looking for 6+ months. Stick with it and good luck! |
Anonymous
| Women, specially moms who take time off or go part time, freelance etc, tend to underestimate themselves and extra life skills they learn on the way. Make sure you aren't overqualified and not limiting yourself to junior positions. |
Anonymous
+1 This is what all my FAANG friends are telling me. Scary. |
Anonymous
Why are you responding to this thread - op is asking for advice for people in their 50s. You just want someone to feel sorry for you but sorry - you still have it easier than people in their 50s so buzz off. |