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Original poster

To think job market for those 55 and over is dire

238 replies

Bettyfordtoday · 25/04/2026 13:54

At 55, and recently made redundant from a highly paid corporate role I am struggling to get another role or even an interview.

I'm wondering what others do at this age point, too young to retire but seemingly too old to interview ?

Have a mortgage etc to pay and don't want to get in debt , redundancy pay will last if I am careful to the end of the year at most

OP posts:
Ncisdouble · 25/04/2026 14:39

I use only last 10 years of working history. I am younger but skilled in hiding my immigrant arse on CV...
Nothing has locations or dates. Take dates off, do not use all work history (no one really cares what you did at 20 unless it was massively important.
It seemed to work last time i job hunted last year.
Nothing what can identofy your protected characteristocs essentially unless it was part of your job or similar.
Re qualifications, I put equivalent ones for uk and current time

AnImmenseDislikeOfPeople · 25/04/2026 14:37

I don't think it's just over 55s, to be honest. The job market is terrible for everyone at present. School leavers can't get their first jobs in cafes or shops, because everyone wants someone 'with experience'. Everyone is going to university, which is making lower-grade jobs expect their employees to have degrees, even if they absolutely don't need them for the role. My employer has circa 6000 employees. I attended a group last week for under 30s, as there are less than 150 employees in this age bracket. With technology doing so much more than it used to, and expectations constantly going up, there are less jobs available to everyone.

MistressoftheDarkSide · 25/04/2026 14:35

ClassyCuckoo · 25/04/2026 14:28

I just say “9 GCSE’s, 3 Alevels (AAA) Degree (BSc 2:1)” and I omit the first five years of my post grad life when I was dossing around travelling and doing all sorts of jobs before I settled down a bit.

Most people guess I’m around 40 which is incorrect.

Show quote history

Unfortunately, my only formal qualifications are O levels and an NCDT diploma in Stage Management, technical theatre and design 😆 the O levels are a dead giveaway!

MistressoftheDarkSide · 25/04/2026 14:33

Legolaslady · 25/04/2026 14:26

You are right of course.
But it did mean they have to actually read the CV .. Not just throw it in the bin after reading the dob

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Fair enough, very glad it's worked for you, and best wishes for your new job 😊

Overtheatlantic · 25/04/2026 14:29

I leave out date of birth and only include the last 10 years of experience, but I’m not executive level or even close.

Legolaslady · 25/04/2026 14:28

I also only use the last 20 years worth of job history

ClassyCuckoo · 25/04/2026 14:28

MistressoftheDarkSide · 25/04/2026 14:23

How does that work though? Leaving your DOB off I mean? It's pretty simple to work out someone's likely age from their work history, and possibly qualifications even.....

Show quote history

I just say “9 GCSE’s, 3 Alevels (AAA) Degree (BSc 2:1)” and I omit the first five years of my post grad life when I was dossing around travelling and doing all sorts of jobs before I settled down a bit.

Most people guess I’m around 40 which is incorrect.

Legolaslady · 25/04/2026 14:26

MistressoftheDarkSide · 25/04/2026 14:23

How does that work though? Leaving your DOB off I mean? It's pretty simple to work out someone's likely age from their work history, and possibly qualifications even.....

Show quote history

You are right of course.
But it did mean they have to actually read the CV .. Not just throw it in the bin after reading the dob

MistressoftheDarkSide · 25/04/2026 14:23

Legolaslady · 25/04/2026 14:19

I never had my d.o.b on my CV.
I applied for 10 jobs three weeks ago. Got interviews for two... But accepted the first one and cancelled the other.
Not major roles at all but good enough jobs for me
Good luck OP

How does that work though? Leaving your DOB off I mean? It's pretty simple to work out someone's likely age from their work history, and possibly qualifications even.....

Legolaslady · 25/04/2026 14:19

I never had my d.o.b on my CV.
I applied for 10 jobs three weeks ago. Got interviews for two... But accepted the first one and cancelled the other.
Not major roles at all but good enough jobs for me
Good luck OP

TucanPlay · 25/04/2026 14:09

Yep, 55, same situation ( but in a different sector). I am now working for less money, part time and a lot less responsibility. Luckily I can just about afford it. Meanwhile I’m re training in something else that I can do independently till retirement.

Zov · 25/04/2026 14:00

I would go as far as to say over 48 to be honest. I know several people in their late 40s who are struggling something awful to get a job, even a basic, unskilled labour job. Employers favour younger people ALWAYS. Whether they admit it or not.

topcat2014 · 25/04/2026 13:57

I wish you the best, OP, I was fired (not just redundant..) last year, similar age/job.

I found another - less money, but also less responsibility and stress.

It is hard - but you will get through it.