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Original poster

Do you worry you will get too old to do your job?

85 replies

sherbetpips · 19/01/2015 19:49

I have been on the same career path for the last 20 years and have progressed through to a good (although not senior exec) level. My worry is that it is a sales/marketing job and it doesn't seem an older persons career. Where do old account managers go? Everyone seems to be early 30's to late 40's at most at my level. I keep getting quite panicky at night about how I can diversify my career but I don't want to yet as I love what I do. Does anyone else feel there career has an age limit (models and football players need not comment)...

OP posts:

JeanSeberg · 19/01/2015 19:54

I worry as a woman that, yes, I'll be replaced with a younger man or woman at some point.

Currently 47.

chanie44 · 19/01/2015 20:00

Maybe think about changing sectors at some point, but still within your field. I work in the public sector and we have sales/marketing people. They aren't the types of people I would expect to see in those types of roles. They don't get commission, but get a good pension scheme etc, so it isn't for everyone.

loiner45 · 19/01/2015 20:08

I'm 60 and no, not worried to be honest. I'm in a sector where experience is valued and I'm bloody good at what I do (higher ed). I worked for 6 yrs (mid career) in business, in an industry where women could do well, but where you saw a lot of older men and very few older women. I was glad to get back to HE where the playing field might not be level for women but it's a hell of a lot better than 'The City' though my income still hasn't reached the level it was at in that job, 20 yrs ago

VivaLeBeaver · 19/01/2015 20:10

Yes, so much so it keeps me awake at night.

I have a physically hard job. Think 13 hours on my feet, often no break, bending into funny positions, crawling about on the floor, running to emergencies while all the time keeping my wits about me and having to think hard and make advanced decisions.

Dunno how on earth I'll be able to do it at 67!

Jackieharris · 19/01/2015 20:13

I've retrained to do a career I can do until I'm 70.

This is going to be something that people should be thinking about.

VivaLeBeaver · 19/01/2015 20:16

What sort of careers can people have that will last them that long?

I can think of less well paid jobs such as checkout work, etc but that's about it.

Littlefish · 19/01/2015 20:17

Yes. I don't want to be a nursery teacher when I'm 68. I wouldn't want my child to be taught by a 68 year old nursery teacher. Very few people of 68 that I know would have the strength, fitness, energy etc.

SeattleGraceMercyDeath · 19/01/2015 20:20

Yep. No way will I be able to work as the delivery suite midwife I do now in my 60's. I love my job but I do wonder if I should get out whilst I'm youngish enough to retrain and diversify or if I should stay for as long as I love my job (as there is nothing better than being paid for doing something I love) and run the risk that it gets to a stage that I can't do my job and am not trained/too old to do anything else. I think about this a lot.

Greywackejones · 19/01/2015 20:21

C on a bike it worries me now and I'm 40. I've sacked far too many people in my life. I've done others dirty work and kept secrets I really didn't want to know (hr).

I'm desperate to do something else. I have 3 ideas; manicurist I've trained previously but need to update skills to gels. I could but would you visit an older manicurist? Genuine question as round my way they are all college age.

Sell my pictures. It's a little kitchen craft thing I'm good but never tried as everyone said 'you'll never make money' we'll have you seen 'not on the high street'?!! Someone is! It is there!!

A kids play centre. A new generation idea. Less soft play more cafe. More for mums to get time for selves by 'checking' kids in for short time frames whilst being in same building and having trained staff etc.

Greywackejones · 19/01/2015 20:22

Viva I don't know but am desperate for answers....

Original poster

sherbetpips · 19/01/2015 20:29

loiner45 yep pay is a big issue for me, I earn a wage typical for the sector and although there are things I would rather be doing, something more creative for instance I would be halving my earnings and frankly the mortgage wont get paid.

I will be in my early 60's by the time the mortgage gets paid so that is a major worry for me. I think I need to get out of sales and more into the functionality of the business but when and how is eluding me at the moment!

OP posts:

Original poster

sherbetpips · 19/01/2015 20:33

jackieharris I agree this should be a big talking point. I wonder are we the first generation that is going to come up against this or am I being daft? Are todays 40 something working women going to become unemployable? I wonder how many 40+ women worked full time even just 10 years ago? How many more are doing it now?

OP posts:

TranmereRover · 19/01/2015 20:35

Yes. I work in a media business so ageism is rampant (on the plus side, I've worked there for so long that I should be expensive for them to get rid of!)

PowderMum · 19/01/2015 20:38

I had a high pressure Sales/Account Manager type job with a lot of managerial type responsibility 2 years ago in a company that valued older men and young trendy people, long working hours, pressure to dress 'cool' etc. I am a more mature lady (but under 50).
I have changed jobs to a company where the workforce is older and the company ethos is much more mature, it is like working for grown ups after working with teenager/immature adults, it has been a revelation.
My new role uses the skills I want to use, pays well (but not as well as before) and is suitable for many years to come, as one of my colleagues has just turned 62.

imip · 19/01/2015 20:39

At 35 I went on maternity leave, leaving behind a marketing career in the city. I knew I wouldn't go back and now, 8 years on, I am actively about to pursue a career that will hopefully take me to retirement age. I'm still a sAHM, but my youngest is almost 3, so am thinking of starting a course in sept that relates to my voluntary work. I could see this taking me to 70 if need be...

Having worked in the city, I knew I needed a job that was age-proof, but that could also be 'easily' done part time. Money isn't a factor, as I'd never make as much as I used to.

MrsTawdry · 19/01/2015 20:41

I have thought about it yes. My main worry would be my hands in my job...but if it happens it happens. In your situation I'd think about becoming a teacher of marketing.

MrsTawdry · 19/01/2015 20:42

I have a friend in PR and she says that she suddenly feels ancient...most of her colleagues seem to be in their 20s and 30s and she's all tired of the cut and thrust.

MuttonCadet · 19/01/2015 20:43

I'm lucky, I chose a profession that values experience and am at a senior level in my firm at 40.
It's the pressure of the job that keeps me awake at night

Original poster

sherbetpips · 19/01/2015 20:44

Doesn't help either when your line manager is 5 years younger than you and male. He is bloody good at his job though.

OP posts:

EachandEveryone · 19/01/2015 20:45

I'm in the same industry as Viva by the sounds of it.

It terrifies me. I keep imagining my 67 mother having to run to emergencies and drawing up drugs without even thinking about it. It's just not possible.

This is when it sucks to be single. And that's the truth. Flame me for it. Two wages coming in and two pensions must be less stressful.

I just don't know what the answer is.

Original poster

sherbetpips · 19/01/2015 20:48

MuttonCadet its interesting that you chose your profession because it values experience - was that a conscious decision at the time or is it something you came to realise?

Should career advice now be encompassing moving your skills along so that your career continues even when your face no longer fits? I have continued in my qualifications but I have to admit I have probably reached a plateau in terms of advancement (I cant see myself making board level).

OP posts:

Pixa · 19/01/2015 20:55

I don't think I could do my job when I have children (which I suppose is part of getting older!)

I have to read some quite awful case notes, definitely not the type of job I could do as a mother or a grandmother, and I am looking for a career change.

lljkk · 19/01/2015 20:56

A little bit, but I guess I'll see how it goes. I can always quit if things seem too much for me. We are lucky we paid off mortgage a while ago. My only fear is menopause because most women I know seem to have been utterly exhausted by it & some say it wrecked their memory, too. It's hard to see how that wouldn't sabotage my ability to do present job.

I'm not really into having a career, though, just some form of satisfying work & I'm sure there are lots of ways to do that.

MuttonCadet · 19/01/2015 20:57

Hi sherbet, no I didn't select it for that reason, that's why I say I'm lucky.
In all honesty I fell into this profession.

meandjulio · 19/01/2015 20:59

I wonder about it, yes. I am pretty knackered now at 45 and have minimum 21.5 years to go before I can claim my pension. At least I HAVE a pension of sorts. I only started this job a few years back and do notice that it gets a bit less stressful as I get more experienced - hope that continues.

The classic pathway for the older person is to move more into training. I'm not sure that really exists any more but I do love training so I hope so.

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