To think you can find a job after 45

I was made redundant earlier this year after 18 years with the same company. I got another job in the same field 3 months later, after taking the first six weeks off. I am 62.

Absolute nonsense in my experience. I got my dream job (in education) at the age of 55 after a break due to disability and, because of my experience and CV, I got an interview straight away. I’ve found (from talking to friends) that younger people find it incredibly hard to gain employment post university.

I have got 4 new jobs since age 45 but it probably depends on the sector and the type of work. At the moment people of all ages are finding it difficult....I suppose there are fewer jobs but also trickier application processes where you can be eliminated quickly without knowing why

It’s very true

Yes I am being rocked by this right now. I have had an absolutely stellar career. I’ve worked for well known companies in marketing since leaving Uni. Looking back on my cv I went to a great uni, and managed to get great roles at great companies the whole way through.

Ive never had a career break- there are no gaps on my cv.

but now at 50 I have completely given up almost. Marketing is a young person’s game possibly? I’ve now edited my cv like you said op, and cut off 20 years experience.

despite my great career I’m not ceo (nor ever wanted to be) but I’ve had respectable middle management jobs where I’ve done great work. But I think they’re looking for late20s/early 30s for those roles now (exactly the age when you’re wanting a baby and trying to juggle all of that!)
I genuinely feel more energetic and present now than in my early 30s, as I have time and attention to pay to my job now. Although I don’t have one!

thinking of going into teaching and applying to supermarkets in the short term.

but pretty disappointed in general.

It's absolutely dire and yanbu OP. 4 years ago I had so many difficulties trying to get work, anything at all. It took me a long time and I'm in a low paid supermarket role now. It was a miracle got that as masses don't even get an interview. I found the 'tricks' in how you have to answer questions pretty demoralising too. It's no longer good enough to be your chatty, friendly self, modest, but your CV spoke for you with your achievements. Basically the more bullshitting at interview and smug self promotion you can do, the better. I reject that fake shit.

@Meadowfinch What industry/type of job?

I suspect this coupled with misogyny.

My 25 year old boss is quite happy to be ignored and disregarded by my late 50s male colleague. She actually defers to him like he’s her dad.

Whereas she doesn’t like it if I do the same and whereas she’s not rude or stupid enough to come out with anything belittling, it’s reasonable clear that she sees me as a menopausal old biddy who has nothing much to offer.

I must be bucking the trend then because I got new Head of Dept jobs at 54, 59, and 61. The last one only took me 7 week to find & sign a new contract.

I think as long as you keep your skills up to date, are enthusiastic & healthy, you should still be able to find work.

It's uplifting news that some over-45 people/women in some industries are getting new jobs. Great to hear. However this doesn't make it any less true that other over-45s in other sectors and industries are not.

It would be really insightful to dig into the successes to understand what industries they are in, what work areas they cover, what level the vacancy they have filled is at.

I was made redundant from my job of nearly 2 decades 2 years ago. I've been offered all 3 jobs that I applied for since! I took the third one. I'm 51.

Over 40 is my preferred group of candidates for our customer care roles as they have compassion with the customers, build rapport and are reliable!

Entry level in my dept but once your in and do 12 months options for marketing and hr etc open up.

I got my current job (front office tech in an Investment Bank at 65)

Maybe, but I joined when I was over 50!

Of course you can. I got a new job at 55. Senior, corporate environment. The job market is very tough at the moment though.

Oh and my jobshare in one of them.is over state retirement age.

I am a teacher/lecturer and have secured four new jobs since age 45 (two are part time and I'm doing them simultaneously). When I got fed up of the job I had in 2022 I quickly had interest from four schools and two of them offered.

I'm sure there's lots of ageism around but there's lots of skills shortages too. An HR specialist friend is struggling to retire as previous employers keep begging her to come back and sort out their messes!

@Bridgertonisbest What industry?

I was made redundant earlier this year, was interviewed for most of the jobs I applied for, and through to second round. Landed a new (better) job pretty quickly.

Im late 50’s

Not true in my field - all ages are considered
At shortlisting for interview stage we have no idea of candidates age
Experience is always the key and being a good fit within the team

at the BBC they are plenty of people older

Yes but surely @happydaysout the BBC is a special case, meaning that once in, almost no-one leaves, staff turnover is very low/retention is very high. This has been the same all through my working lifetime. The same people who joined in their 20s and 30s are now the people in their 50s and 60s. If the older cohort left now, very few would be able to find a similar job in media, because the landscape has changed so much since they joined.