Your observations are spot on… and yes as older job seekers we can pivot and adjust our expectations… an we do… but asking the marginalised group to accept bias and discrimination is not the answer… thank you gor raising what is a very real issue
Ageism is the most pernicious of the ‘isms’. I am a 56 year old woman and I have necessarily had to do all the things you outlined in your article since COVID. I’ve just landed a full time gig - much more junior than anything I’ve done in over 20 years but I don’t care as I know I can make a meaningful difference as does my employer. In addition I know there is longevity in this role. I’m lucky as I’m mortgage free - but I’ve spoken to countless friends and former colleagues who are experiencing the same. With respect how individuals call it out when seemingly companies have a work around for why you’re not the one. It’s systemic and ingrained. It’s a jungle out there.
I can’t believe I am reading your analysis in the very week I decided it was time to completely leave the corporate job market.
I’m highly skilled and qualified and have led teams up to 300 in a fast paced career. I’m chronologically 61 but have great health and look and behave younger. All of a sudden my career has stopped. After 71 applications since January (1/3 never answered) I’m done.
I’m over the fake job applications, endless interviews picking my brain for free consulting, recruiters that chase to pitch me then ghost me with no feedback, and employers who start recruitment processes just to compare candidates to an internal who already had the job in the bag.
It’s time to choose a simpler life and look at other options. Thanks for sharing your commentary Bec -I appreciate it 🙏
You are soo right - I am 79 and believe it or not, I still work 5 days a week - I have an amazing manager and I know how privileged I am to still be working- I love working and I think I am good at what I do- can’t say the same about some of the young ones- not all, but to some it’s just a job- no care and no responsibility
50 is a great age to be and that’s when you are at your best
I have always hated HR- I wonder who thought that was a good idea!!!
I am a HR leader who will turn 65 next March and joined my current employer just on 2 years ago, after I was made redundant in an acquisition from a company I had worked I. For 23 years. My experience is that my new employer, in a sector I have never worked before, values my experience, perspectives and insight.
In my role, I see a lot of applicants much younger than me who come across as tired and lacking drive and enthusiasm. If recruiters are forming this view maybe we need to lift our game and demonstrate what we can drive to contribute to the company. Turn up for the job, not just a paycheck.
Are both men and women in that age bracket being seen equally? Often men are seen as being in their prime, bringing lots of experience but women are out of touch and less employable.
The mindshift for me was from thinking “hustling and getting hired” to “hiring myself by offering and broadcasting my value”—from employee to consultant, project-based freelancer, and blisspreneur/soulpreneur now.
Hi, I worked in retail for decades. Towards the end of my 'career' the casual comments and unfunny jokes from younger team members about (my) age started getting more regular. I laughed along and bought into it, not realising that I was just supporting the ageist culture that existed.
Sadly, I was not surprised by this report as - like others here- I have had the lived experience [redundancy at 53 from the uni sector; applied for jobs with no luck; confidence rocked]. Luckily, on leaving the uni I had obtain a scholarship for a PhD which was focused on employability skills (as I had worked in the student Careers section for over a decade). The clanger - my research is now focused on employability skills for people over the age of 50 re-entering the workforce! I will let Bec and The Epic Retirement community know when I start data collection as I am sure there is immense wisdom to be found within this great collective of prime timers.
Oh wow, thank you so much for your support, Bec! Much appreciated!! Once I have Ethics Clearance through I will be so grateful for your support to tap into the wisdom within the community. I would love to discuss this topic on the show when I have insights share. As for a speaker now, let me speak with my PhD supervisor to see if we can help. Many thanks, Kylie
PS. Congrats on the book. Bought a copy yesterday. Loving it!
I returned to nursing aged 50, emphasising in application & interview I would work full time, and probably 15yrs…as that timeframe rolls around mid next year, I consider your article to contemplate the number of starters after me (whether new graduates or seasoned) with longevity…and it is very few… yet there are still many who were already employed when I started.
Within the past 6 months, two 50yr olds have transferred from another site.
My points: ageism is rife, & younger are very mobile
The question is still unanswered, that is why do employers hire according to age? There must be valid reasons, probably technological, adaptability, energy etc. To frame it as discrimination is also accurate, but there is more to it. I am an older worker (63) and still lucky to have a job I enjoy, and to be honest, I think younger managers would rather manage younger people, it is easier to tell them what to do. Also some older workers I know are coasting a bit, it is normal, we are thinking about other things, like holidays and retirement.
I was part of a public service team that was "restructured" (sound familiar?) in March. All of us over 55 were made redundant. Everyone younger was kept on. I wasn't at all surprised, but age-based wisdom and experience is a liability now, not an asset. It's sad, but it's largely the way of the world in our "shiny and new" obsessed Western society and a fact of life we all have to be ready for.
Your observations are spot on… and yes as older job seekers we can pivot and adjust our expectations… an we do… but asking the marginalised group to accept bias and discrimination is not the answer… thank you gor raising what is a very real issue
I wholeheartedly agree Erin.
Public health services do not value experienced nurses, newly qualified are promoted and older experienced are ignored.
Ageism is the most pernicious of the ‘isms’. I am a 56 year old woman and I have necessarily had to do all the things you outlined in your article since COVID. I’ve just landed a full time gig - much more junior than anything I’ve done in over 20 years but I don’t care as I know I can make a meaningful difference as does my employer. In addition I know there is longevity in this role. I’m lucky as I’m mortgage free - but I’ve spoken to countless friends and former colleagues who are experiencing the same. With respect how individuals call it out when seemingly companies have a work around for why you’re not the one. It’s systemic and ingrained. It’s a jungle out there.
I can’t believe I am reading your analysis in the very week I decided it was time to completely leave the corporate job market.
I’m highly skilled and qualified and have led teams up to 300 in a fast paced career. I’m chronologically 61 but have great health and look and behave younger. All of a sudden my career has stopped. After 71 applications since January (1/3 never answered) I’m done.
I’m over the fake job applications, endless interviews picking my brain for free consulting, recruiters that chase to pitch me then ghost me with no feedback, and employers who start recruitment processes just to compare candidates to an internal who already had the job in the bag.
It’s time to choose a simpler life and look at other options. Thanks for sharing your commentary Bec -I appreciate it 🙏
Good luck with whatever is next Maria. I so relate. I think SMB are a good place to start. Big corporations are the worst for again in my view.
You are soo right - I am 79 and believe it or not, I still work 5 days a week - I have an amazing manager and I know how privileged I am to still be working- I love working and I think I am good at what I do- can’t say the same about some of the young ones- not all, but to some it’s just a job- no care and no responsibility
50 is a great age to be and that’s when you are at your best
I have always hated HR- I wonder who thought that was a good idea!!!
I am a HR leader who will turn 65 next March and joined my current employer just on 2 years ago, after I was made redundant in an acquisition from a company I had worked I. For 23 years. My experience is that my new employer, in a sector I have never worked before, values my experience, perspectives and insight.
In my role, I see a lot of applicants much younger than me who come across as tired and lacking drive and enthusiasm. If recruiters are forming this view maybe we need to lift our game and demonstrate what we can drive to contribute to the company. Turn up for the job, not just a paycheck.
Are both men and women in that age bracket being seen equally? Often men are seen as being in their prime, bringing lots of experience but women are out of touch and less employable.
The mindshift for me was from thinking “hustling and getting hired” to “hiring myself by offering and broadcasting my value”—from employee to consultant, project-based freelancer, and blisspreneur/soulpreneur now.
Hello ❤️
Maybe ask QLD Health their views on “quotas” of “vulnerable nurses” for each unit.
Hi, I worked in retail for decades. Towards the end of my 'career' the casual comments and unfunny jokes from younger team members about (my) age started getting more regular. I laughed along and bought into it, not realising that I was just supporting the ageist culture that existed.
Sadly, I was not surprised by this report as - like others here- I have had the lived experience [redundancy at 53 from the uni sector; applied for jobs with no luck; confidence rocked]. Luckily, on leaving the uni I had obtain a scholarship for a PhD which was focused on employability skills (as I had worked in the student Careers section for over a decade). The clanger - my research is now focused on employability skills for people over the age of 50 re-entering the workforce! I will let Bec and The Epic Retirement community know when I start data collection as I am sure there is immense wisdom to be found within this great collective of prime timers.
Please let us help! And come on the show when you have some insights! Is there anyone good we can speak to on this now that you know?
Oh wow, thank you so much for your support, Bec! Much appreciated!! Once I have Ethics Clearance through I will be so grateful for your support to tap into the wisdom within the community. I would love to discuss this topic on the show when I have insights share. As for a speaker now, let me speak with my PhD supervisor to see if we can help. Many thanks, Kylie
PS. Congrats on the book. Bought a copy yesterday. Loving it!
I trust most HR personnel do not plan to work beyond 50 years of age ??
I returned to nursing aged 50, emphasising in application & interview I would work full time, and probably 15yrs…as that timeframe rolls around mid next year, I consider your article to contemplate the number of starters after me (whether new graduates or seasoned) with longevity…and it is very few… yet there are still many who were already employed when I started.
Within the past 6 months, two 50yr olds have transferred from another site.
My points: ageism is rife, & younger are very mobile
The question is still unanswered, that is why do employers hire according to age? There must be valid reasons, probably technological, adaptability, energy etc. To frame it as discrimination is also accurate, but there is more to it. I am an older worker (63) and still lucky to have a job I enjoy, and to be honest, I think younger managers would rather manage younger people, it is easier to tell them what to do. Also some older workers I know are coasting a bit, it is normal, we are thinking about other things, like holidays and retirement.
I assure you, I don’t coast- and I have holidays
I was part of a public service team that was "restructured" (sound familiar?) in March. All of us over 55 were made redundant. Everyone younger was kept on. I wasn't at all surprised, but age-based wisdom and experience is a liability now, not an asset. It's sad, but it's largely the way of the world in our "shiny and new" obsessed Western society and a fact of life we all have to be ready for.