Late 40s. Do job opportunities really drop off a cliff?

[Girlsnightin]

Inspired by comments on another thread, where it's said late 40s onwards it's hard to find a job.
Is this true? I'm happily employed but concerned now if the worst happens I won't be able to pick up something decent.
I've worked since 18 and never had a gap, and always had good jobs to go to.
I have the grand total of 6 gcses but excellent experience in my field of work.
Am I doomed?

I’m doing a course with someone who just started a very decent new job at the age of 59!

Ive found opppsite but all my opportunities are based around sharing my proven 30 years of experience, so advisory, supervision or managerial. Some offers have come out of left of field so think about where your transferrable experience might lead you.

I think it used to be the case. I hope I am not being naive in thinking not now! The way I see it, if I start a new career path in my late forties, I have 18-20 years to offer. However, I think you have to be tactical - appearance wise present yourself as neatly and ‘dynamically’ as you can get away with; use the language of the young and keen, not the ‘weary voice of experience’. Your experience will be apparent in your andwers so don’t dwell on it (risks drawing attention to age). Avoid ‘explaining’ why you want a change, just show enthusiasm for the role. Show willingness to learn/adapt/be malleable as this is often why employers seek younger staff. I think 40s and 50s should be fine.

I was made redundant aged 48, I was working locally (convenient for home life) couldn't get a decent job locally with a similar salary so went after jobs in Central London, got a job really quickly and went on to get promotion.
In time I viewed the redundancy as fortunate as it forced me to push myself, gave me amore satisfying job, and I read a lot while I was commuting!

I've found it easier, tbh. I won't ever go off on mat leave again and then ask to come back part time or work from home or pregnant again and on another mat leave, or take off work to with ill children, so being an older female has its advantages.

I reckon your employability as far as employers are concerned would increase. No real chance of you going off on maternity leave. Less likely to have to juggle around small children commitments. And loads more experience.

I think it depends.

I'm also late 40s and I work in education. I haven't noticed jobs drying up, and there are loads of people my age and considerably older still finding work. But then, I think education is less ageist than other professions. If you're in a profession which puts a lot of emphasis on being 'modern' and 'dynamic' - let's say IT or PR - then you might have a different experience.