Anonymous
Post 01/11/2025 15:17     Subject: 50 and facing ageism
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote: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).


I am 42. I was stabbed in the back and pushed out the door by my previous employer 21 months ago and I have yet to re-enter full time work. It's so incredibly frustrating and humiliating. I'm doing a graduate certificate at my local university. I hope it works.

I think the most eye-opening thing I've learned since job searching for 21 months is how many people lie to your face. They say they'll get coffee with you or chat with you on the phone, but then they'll blow you off. They say they'll connect you with someone, and then don't, and when you ask them about it a second time, they blow you off.

Former co-workers stop returning your calls. When you ask them to put in a good word for you at the company they work at, they'll say "we expect to get a lot of great applications for that position".

Don't even get me started on how I couldn't get hired for holiday retail this year. You gotta be kidding me. I just want this nightmare to end.


Maybe they are not in the position to hire you?
For any new hire at my company, it’s a collective decision.
Anonymous
Post 01/11/2025 15:15     Subject: Re:50 and facing ageism
Anonymous wrote:We just had two teachers quit over break. You could get hired in a school, any school. Just apply.


School districts require teaching certification in most states. I had an advanced degree but the school district wanted but couldn't hire me. I went private (they snapped me up for a fraction of the pay and few benefits) while I went to school at night to get the teaching certificate. It was another 2 years of under grad work.
Anonymous
Post 01/11/2025 15:03     Subject: 50 and facing ageism
Anonymous wrote: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).


I am 42. I was stabbed in the back and pushed out the door by my previous employer 21 months ago and I have yet to re-enter full time work. It's so incredibly frustrating and humiliating. I'm doing a graduate certificate at my local university. I hope it works.

I think the most eye-opening thing I've learned since job searching for 21 months is how many people lie to your face. They say they'll get coffee with you or chat with you on the phone, but then they'll blow you off. They say they'll connect you with someone, and then don't, and when you ask them about it a second time, they blow you off.

Former co-workers stop returning your calls. When you ask them to put in a good word for you at the company they work at, they'll say "we expect to get a lot of great applications for that position".

Don't even get me started on how I couldn't get hired for holiday retail this year. You gotta be kidding me. I just want this nightmare to end.
Anonymous
Post 01/11/2025 13:41     Subject: 50 and facing ageism
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The fed govt is your refuge. Old age and skill level not barriers


And we should just skip the farce of hiring older workers as feds and having them pretend to work and just give the same benefits to over 50s. Like a UBI Universal Basic Income and health insurance which is mostly what they need.


I’m a 50 year old fed. My skills match our other younger hires and exceed many of our contractors.

Sure I’m not FAANG level but neither is the pay!
Anonymous
Post 01/11/2025 13:19     Subject: 50 and facing ageism
Anonymous wrote:The fed govt is your refuge. Old age and skill level not barriers


And we should just skip the farce of hiring older workers as feds and having them pretend to work and just give the same benefits to over 50s. Like a UBI Universal Basic Income and health insurance which is mostly what they need.
Anonymous
Post 01/11/2025 12:03     Subject: 50 and facing ageism
We hardly post any federal jobs open to the public anymore, which is a shame. People are not born in government but once you’re in it certainly can feel that way.
Anonymous
Post 01/11/2025 11:54     Subject: 50 and facing ageism
Anonymous wrote:
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?



It’s ageism. People think you will be too expensive, chafe at having younger colleagues or management (culture fit), and may retire soon. I think it starts earlier for women than men, but by 50 I think the perception is the same for both genders.

I’m sorry. Hopefully you can find something through your consulting work.


Too expensive assumption starts at 35.

Inability to get along with younger team is associated with men. Women have easier time adjusting.
Anonymous
Post 01/11/2025 11:45     Subject: 50 and facing ageism
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?



It’s ageism. People think you will be too expensive, chafe at having younger colleagues or management (culture fit), and may retire soon. I think it starts earlier for women than men, but by 50 I think the perception is the same for both genders.

I’m sorry. Hopefully you can find something through your consulting work.
Anonymous
Post 01/11/2025 10:54     Subject: 50 and facing ageism
Anonymous wrote:The fed govt is your refuge. Old age and skill level not barriers


I can’t even land an interview!
Anonymous
Post 01/11/2025 09:39     Subject: 50 and facing ageism
Anonymous wrote:The fed govt is your refuge. Old age and skill level not barriers


DOGE would like a word
Anonymous
Post 01/11/2025 08:51     Subject: 50 and facing ageism
Anonymous wrote:The fed govt is your refuge. Old age and skill level not barriers

it's not easy getting a fed job, let alone a fed job at 50+.
Anonymous
Post 01/11/2025 08:51     Subject: 50 and facing ageism
Anonymous wrote:The fed govt is your refuge. Old age and skill level not barriers


I’m 47 and have been a fed for 21 years. I’ve been thinking of leaving government but realize I probably should have done that 10 years ago. Feds value experience and institutional memory and we don’t push out anyone due to their age. It’s good to know that if I leave they would always take me back.
Anonymous
Post 01/11/2025 08:18     Subject: 50 and facing ageism
The fed govt is your refuge. Old age and skill level not barriers
Anonymous
Post 01/11/2025 07:25     Subject: 50 and facing ageism
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.


your friend is a parasite (and old)


And you’re a cretin, which is worse. Take a moment to reflect on why you’d write such an asinine thing.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2025 23:18     Subject: 50 and facing ageism
This is depressing