Your experience of getting a job after 50. Is MIL right?

[foxtiger]

I was made redundant a few months ago and have not yet found another job. Fortunately we can manage on what DH earns but I'm getting increasingly frustrated about it as I want to work.

MIL said recently that I probably won't get any offers because I'm over 50. She bases this assumption on "what everybody says" and also on an incident with someone in her extended family. Years ago this person had a very specific job. Strictly speaking there can only ever be one person in this exact job (well, I suppose it could be a job-share, but it's defined by a relationship with another job-holder that there can definitely only be one of - kind of like being the Queen's chiropodist, although it wasn't anything like that). She wasn't sacked or anything, she left to have children and then had a job with more conventional hours and holidays off while her children were young. Some time quite recently, the children having grown up and left home, she heard that the same job was available again and applied for it but didn't get it. According to MIL this proves that you can't get a job, however well suited you are for it, if you're over 50. I should add that MIL herself changed jobs twice over the age of 50 (when I first knew her) but she may think the climate has changed in the 30-odd years since then.

I can believe that ageism exists but I don't believe it's as clear-cut as "this will never happen." I can understand it when I don't even get interviews for jobs I'm not particularly well qualified for or haven't done before. However, I have had two interviews recently for exactly the type of job I had before, and both times I've been told that I was a very good and experienced candidate but it was an exceptionally good field and I just missed out this time. In neither case do I know who actually did get the job (incidentally, is it socially acceptable to ask?) but there were people of about my age there and younger people. Should I be beginning to wonder if ageism is a factor? If so, is there anything I can do to minimise its influence? (I don't mean lie about my age, but should I be emphasising how fit and healthy I am?)

So as not to drip feed, I should also add that two agencies have expressed an interest in taking me on, but the jobs they were saying they could find for me were either wildly unsuitable (customer service person answering questions about technical equipment I know nothing about), impractical to travel to (and I mean 2 hours minimum each way) or unpredictable patterns of hours and perhaps no hours at all some weeks. Basically the sort of jobs they probably find it very hard to fill. I am lucky that I can afford not to do this yet but I will probably consider it in the end if I keep on being rejected for more suitable jobs.

[foxtiger]

PS - I don't think MIL was just being nasty to me. We get on well.

[Wilma55]

I was 53 when I got work in a college library and 54 in civil service so it can be done - I also applied for maybe 6 other jobs I didn't get.

[foxtiger]

Thanks Wilma - I've applied for a lot more than 6 but I will keep plugging away. I've just done another application in fact!

[RatherBeRiding]

Late 50s when I got my current job but they do employ quite a lot of older people here. At my interview I was told that it was the kind of job where maturity and life experience were viewed as valuable assets.

Depends on the job and the mindset of the employer.

[Cherries101]

A lot of companies prefer to recruit older women for certain roles. For example in banking we often find it works better to pair a 50 plus year old Manager with a much younger director or vice versa. What is your area of expertise? You may find it easier to contact companies directly rather than going through a recruiter.

[Whyiseveryonesoangry]

My 63 year old friend was recently offered three jobs at once. Had the difficult task of deciding on which would be best for her. Sales/ account manager type jobs.

[foxtiger]

Cherries most recently a support role in education. I didn't go with the agencies in the end - all the jobs I have applied for have been directly through the employers' own websites or local government websites.

[foxtiger]

Why I hope that happens to me some day!

[WinkysTeatowel]

I some ways being 50+ is a safer bet, you are unlikely to go off on Maternity Leave and might be more inclined to stay in one place.

You certainly cannot categorically say that no-one gets a job once they're over 50.

[Cherries101]

You just have to be resilient and keep applying. It takes me nearly 30 applications to get 1 interview, which is a fairly typical strike rate in this job market. Just keep applying, keep updating your CV, keep upskilling your IT skills and you’ll eventually get a job.

[justalittlebitsad]

My Mum says things like this or 'there aren't many jobs out there at the moment'. I ask her how she knows and if she has been looking. I normally get a sheepish look.

I wouldn't pay any attention. You only need one job just keep applying!

[crimsonlake]

I have found it difficult being over 50 also. I am either over qualified or do not have enough experience. I have applied for all sorts of customer facing roles and do not even get an interview. I tend to get offered interviews for NHS roles but again I am piped to the post every time by someone more experienced, even when I have done really well. It is demoralising and it is hard to keep going when you are constantly turned down.

[sackrifice]

If you are in teaching as support worker, do some supply - last time I did that I got offered 5 jobs in the fortnight i did it.

Just don't get stung by an umbrella company taking half your earnings.

Or send your CV in to each school after you have been there asking to keep you in mind if a job comes up.

I am 51 and due to start a new job in January...been headhunted back into an old team. So there is hope if you are good at what you do and put yourself forward.

[KatherinaMinola]

Not my personal experience but as a PP says civil service does take on new trainees over 50 (safe pair of hands).

You could train to be a teacher.

There is age discrimination over 50 though, without a doubt.

[notacooldad]

We have been supporting a friend throughs divorce who had been a SAHM. She has one adult child living with her. She was offered an office job on minimum wage which she took as a make do. She then got offered another job with a different company on better hours, better money and better conditions. She is 56.
I was offered my job nearly 3 years ago and I'm 53 ( and a 1/2).
Keep trying.as you know keep your interview skills polished, your cv relevant and know the job description inside out so you know what They are looking for and likely to ask.
If you dont get the job ask for feedback and see what needs improving.

Good luck!

[Squirrelslostnut]

I'm a probation officer and in my time in this field have seen it's a good employer of all ages and particularly recognises the value more mature candidates bring. Consider applying for an operational role (such as PSO) or administrational

[SnappedandFartedagain]

Silly question but how do the companies know you are over 50? No one puts DOBs on their CVs anymore and you only keep the last few jobs on your CV. Obviously they will know you are more experienced but not specifically over 50.

[Finfintytint]

I found it difficult finding work at 51. I’d retired from a demanding profession and was declined employment I think due to age discrimination and being “over qualified” and “over experienced” for the job. I went self employed and work the hours I want for the wage I set. Depending on what your skills are, think about setting yourself up to do what you want.

[Icequeen01]

@SnappedandFartedagain - it's really easy to work out from someone's CV how old they are! All you have to do is look at the year they left school to get a rough idea. Also, someone like me who is 57 have things called CSE's in their list of qualifications - a huge giveaway that you are in your 50's.

Having said all the above, I haven't had any issues finding jobs in my 50's. I left the financial services sector after 25years when I was 52. Got another job as an executive secretary with a charity, left there and have now been working as a school secretary for over 4 years.

[foxtiger]

A lot of jobs require you to fill in an application form rather than send a CV, and those often ask for a date of birth. But as Icequeen says it isn't difficult to guess from the dates of exam results etc. Anyway, if you get as far as interview, they're going to know how old you look (I think I look roughly my real age). But it's good to know that lots of people have been successful and MIL is probably just being pessimistic/reading too much into one incident.

[justalittlebitsad]

Why bother to try and hide your age? Do you really want to work for a company that is ageist?

Not every organisation discriminates against middle aged women. Lots of them keep the NHS and public sector organisations afloat!

[Channablu3]

With state pension age of 65+ of course there are jobs for 50+. Perhaps you need to widen the type of job that you are looking for, or a wider location, or different hours. Keep applying, don't give up

[PerpendicularVincent]

The new starter on my team is 50, she was also offered another job at the same time as accepting ours.

I don't care about age/sex/ethnicity etc, I just want the right person for the role. Hang in there

[foxtiger]

Whoo - I've got another interview! It's for something I haven't done before but training would be provided. I'm quite excited about it. It's more "officey" than my recent jobs - is it still a good idea to wear a suit (or at least skirt and jacket, I don't own a suit and am broke) for officey interviews?

[Icequeen01]

Fantastic news! Yes definitely go smart. If you haven’t got a suit a jacket and skirt would be fine. Good luck and let us know how you get on!