To think you can find a job after 45

[Hoppity80]

Just saw an insta post by the influencer Stacey Duguid.

She is a former fashion journalist who has been chronicling her experience on insta of being rejected from hundreds of jobs across multiple sectors. She argues that inbuilt bias in AI applicant tracking systems mean mid life women are often automatically rejected and is speaking up about women having to minimise their experience to get past the systems.

Her latest post says that women are now being split into two groups by employers: under 45s and over. And if you are over 45 you are classed as old and unemployable.

I know there is lots of age based mysogyny out there but AIBU to find this utterly terrifying and to think the situation is not quite as extreme as this.

I am around that age and feel I’ve only properly got going - although I’ve been working for over 20’years. I am full time with bags of energy and a real learning mindset!

if you are an employer pls can you give some insight about why you wouldnt employ a woman over 45?

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I have just seen a number of talented women - hardly older but late 40s - made redundant at work. By contrast on Linked In earlier I saw a useless man who I have worked with in the past, announcing a fantastic new job in his early 60s!! Completely anecdotal I know - but it has got me thinking!

All I can say is... I hope so!

I think it depends on the industry but I definitely think its harder to get a job the older you are as the managers know they won't have the control over you like they would an 18 year old. Definitely not unemployable though

I went for and was offered a new job last year when I was 49 (I didn't take it in the end). I got the job I'm in when I was 46. I imagine it depends on both the person and the industry.

I was a SAHM from age 41 to almost 50 years old and I was offered the second job that I applied for. It is in education (not teaching) and I’m told it can be more forgiving for employing ‘older’ people.

but why do employers have this bias? I actually think many older millennial/Gen x are often more pliable than younger gens these days!

Probably somewhat depends on the industry.

In my industry and job role there a few under 40 as you need a fair bit of life experience and work experience behind you to do the job. That said, my bestie is a stylist at a fashion brand and literally everyone working there is 20-40. She’s getting worried as 40 draws closer.

I have offered jobs to women in their 40-60s. Because they met the job criteria.

Having also just come out of 5 months of unemployment in my 50s, there are some employers who give older women a chance. But it was much tougher than when I was in my 40s.

We can’t win as women can we? Some people say we are unemployable when we are of child bearing age in case we take maternity leave. And now we are also unemployable apparently after 45. 🫠😭 WTAF?

In a lot of job roles, it's difficult to get work after 40 and it gets worse, at 50/60. Then there's those who can't physically do the jobs they've always had. I'm wondering what's going to happen to the immigrants who are coming over in their 30's re aging and pensions, our welfare bill is going to soar, because the recourse to public funds gets lifted, after a time period. None are going to want to return to the Congo, Sudan, Nigeria etc at 50.

I moved jobs easily at 47 and 52 but I’m in a field where there are more jobs than people to do them

Its depressing though companies don’t employ women under 45 in case they have kids and now they won’t employ them over 45 either.

I dunno. I think it's harder for women generally. If you're 20-40 then some hiring managers assume you're about to give birth at any moment. Eyeroll.

That said - I am in my 40s and I was pushed out of a role I'd retrained for last year. I've taken a part time, related but easy role for some breathing space. It's in the back of my mind that if I don't get back into financial services by the time I'm about 45 I may very well struggle even though I am quite young-looking and haven't particularly changed in personality as I've got older.

I am 55 and struggling to find a new job.

I have never that issue in the past, so I think age is definitely a factor, in addition to a tough job market.

I think employers these days have so many biases: they don't want to employ young people who just finished their education, disabled people or older people.

As an employer who does not use AI to sift CVs, of course I wouldn’t discount a woman, or a man for that matter, for being “over 45”. Why would I? Some of my best staff are 60+.

I was made redundant a few months ago (despite being on the ‘up’ and a high performer) due to a change in company direction and leadership/ownership. I do 100% believe that they disproportionately targeted women over 40 as a demographic. When people were pooled for redundancy, the white men seemed to survive.

That said, I do have a new good job as do many of my colleagues, but it did feel really tough out there. I’m 46, and I feel I’m just tipping over into ‘old’ 😭

I found it easy to get interviews and job offers until the end of my 40s, once I turned 50....a different story altogether.

Had a child at 36, was 8 years home stay, so that is what, I was 44?? Restarted working and have never stopped. I am not late 50s

I got a new job in a totally different field 2 years ago, aged 58. That said, the job market seems to have fallen off a cliff since then.

So glad you have a new job but how on earth can 46 be too old to work? What is goong through employers’ heads?

I retired aged 63 18 months ago. I got bored after 6 months (after I had turned 64) and applied for a job, albeit part time. I was selected out of 28 applicants.

It depends on the field.

I have never experienced this in the health sector. Most Consultants and senior grades are over 45.

I changed jobs at 49, to a higher level. I also do private work and my age has never been an issue. Indeed, you are expected to have many years experience of working as an expert.

Some fields may well have a preference for younger people however.

I think in different areas again, over 45s would be preferred. People aren't allowed to discriminate, but I would bet money some employers avoid women of child bearing age.

Interested to know what the industry is if you don’t mind @Gengha

I agree it depends on your skills and experience. At 57 I decided to change roles, had two interviews and was offered both jobs. I took one but it didn’t work out as I’d hoped, my previous employer found out I wasn’t particularly happy and got in touch to ask me to apply for a job (same one as I’d been doing) I was 58 by then. I’ve also just given a job to a 63 year old woman who I am confident will be an asset to the team based on her skills and experience.

I worked in both education and local authorities for many years as a manager, and have recruited countless people over that time. It wouldn’t cross my mind for a moment to think that 45 was too old! It’s all about how well you demonstrate that you are able to do the job.

Also,‘I’d have expected it to be easier for 45+ women as employers don’t have to worry about maternity leave!

There's been lots of posts/articles about it applying to older men too. That said, lots of younger people are struggling to get jobs, so it's not necessarily easy for anyone.