50 and facing ageism

[Anonymous]

I’m 39 and also have a hard time getting replies and interviews. I’ve also been ghosted by two recruiters this week. I think the ease of online applications has proven to be a huge challenge, because every job posting is flooded with applications and it’s very, very hard to get “in” without a hook (knowing someone).

[Anonymous]

Nonprofit is a big category*. And 50 is not a problem. At those search firms that specialize in nonprofits, human eyes read the resumes.

*Think government, hospitals, universities, public media, associations, some performing arts organizations, museums, private schools, foundations and your stereotypic nonprofit do-good organization.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Probably. You really need to network into jobs at your age.

I am doing a version of the same. I can't even get automated replies.

My group was laid off when I was 50 and really struggled to find a job. My experience was that applying to websites and sending emails to people that I didn't know was a complete waste of time. It also delayed me from putting my full effort into what has been shown to work: reaching out to people I have worked with during my career and doing the tough work of networking.

That was me 10 years ago when Lockheed moved our lab to Colorado and I had a husband and kids that could not move.. I was with them for 30 years so could hardly hide my age in a resume and I was too specialized in my science field. I had to start all over again. It took me almost a year to get a new job making 1/2 of what I used to make.

For the record I sent out about 100 resumes that were semi career related (in my science field but not my specialty as my speciality is very limited in this area) About another 100 that were totally something different (e.g. one was a plumber and one in landscaping as I actually have alot of experience in those). I had about 10% call back to each type until I finally got a job in academia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't get an interview, it is your resume. How do people know how old you are if you don't list jobs from 20 years ago?

AI is trained to recognize things. I don't know the specifics, but think about a person who leaves off the early years of their career. Resume starts with a much higher level of job that straight out of college type job. That alone is a red flag for someone who is trying to seem younger.

It sees our double space after a period…

🤣

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't get an interview, it is your resume. How do people know how old you are if you don't list jobs from 20 years ago?

AI is trained to recognize things. I don't know the specifics, but think about a person who leaves off the early years of their career. Resume starts with a much higher level of job that straight out of college type job. That alone is a red flag for someone who is trying to seem younger.

It sees our double space after a period…

🤣

Dont use periods at all. They are considered a microagression.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am highly skilled and considered an expert in my field, yet cant seem to even get a reply to job applications. Is it my age?

What level are you trying to come in at? My experience if you’re an expert in your field and 50 years old, the only jobs out there are network jobs. At that level fit means much more than skill as everyone who makes it though the first round of review will have the necessary skills and experience

[Anonymous]

I don't think a lot of people are hiring right now.

[Anonymous]

Honestly this is exactly why I went ballz out to obtain a federal job when I was 52. I applied to everything whether it was appealing or not.

Now I am locked in, even with DOGE pretend calamity. And I have fed healthcare benefits when I retire.

[Anonymous]

Someone born 1975 is now 50 hardly old at all. In fact given retirement age is now 67 they will be working till 2042.

Jennifer Lopez, Paul Rudd and and Jennifer Aniston are all 55 years old.

It is your attitude, how you dress, staying current is key.

I work with 35 year olds who are dinosaurs stuck in their ways already talking about retirement and I work with 60 year olds who are go go go and hip.

So it is not just age, it is more than that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly this is exactly why I went ballz out to obtain a federal job when I was 52. I applied to everything whether it was appealing or not.

Now I am locked in, even with DOGE pretend calamity. And I have fed healthcare benefits when I retire.

This is the WAY to go OP, my friend just got into Fed end of 2024.
He is early 50s and plans to work ten more years and retire with pension & health benefits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly this is exactly why I went ballz out to obtain a federal job when I was 52. I applied to everything whether it was appealing or not.

Now I am locked in, even with DOGE pretend calamity. And I have fed healthcare benefits when I retire.

This is the WAY to go OP, my friend just got into Fed end of 2024.
He is early 50s and plans to work ten more years and retire with pension & health benefits.

Or they could get actual skills, stay in shape, dress nice, network, stay current.

[Anonymous]

I am also having the same trouble but I think it is a systemic problem - there are far fewer jobs than you might think and people are extremely cautious about hiring until they see which way the Trump administration will go.

[Anonymous]

Hiring Managers don't want to work with expert people in fear of looking less senior.

Another side of the story is we have hired experienced people and they all left within a month. But the naïve young hires are still around after 3 years.

[Anonymous]

[twitter]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly this is exactly why I went ballz out to obtain a federal job when I was 52. I applied to everything whether it was appealing or not.

Now I am locked in, even with DOGE pretend calamity. And I have fed healthcare benefits when I retire.

This is the WAY to go OP, my friend just got into Fed end of 2024.
He is early 50s and plans to work ten more years and retire with pension & health benefits.

Or they could get actual skills, stay in shape, dress nice, network, stay current.

I don’t think you need to be super fit like a 30 year old. But good posture, tailored clothes and know how to communicate on teams/zoom will def help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't get an interview, it is your resume. How do people know how old you are if you don't list jobs from 20 years ago?

AI is trained to recognize things. I don't know the specifics, but think about a person who leaves off the early years of their career. Resume starts with a much higher level of job that straight out of college type job. That alone is a red flag for someone who is trying to seem younger.

It sees our double space after a period…

What? People don’t do that anymore?