Entry level job @ 40

[idontknowwhattodoanymore]

I am 40 and haven't really had many jobs due to accident that took me years to recuperate

I just got this job and I am the oldest there with all of them in there 20s (just left uni)

I feel so uncomfortable and ashamed that I am only at this starting stage at my age in low income less than 20k job at 40😭

They are all curious about my age but didn't tell them (I know HR and manager will know)

Also they all get promoted so quickly at the firm say in 6 months to team leaders etc which a gent I am on the job training with say is a bad thing. As I am new to all this, I do not know what to make of it.

I have my BA & MA I am just so unlucky that o can't get a better job 🤦🏾‍♀️

Age is irrelevant, well done in getting into employment after your accident

Keep your counsel. Just be friendly to colleagues. No one needs to know your business. Don’t engage in gossip. Just listen, nod and give non-commital answers.

Discuss your development plan with your manager and remember you need to take responsibility for it too if you are interested in progressing. At 40, you’ve still a lot of work years ahead of you.

Don’t forget about your pension either. Prioritise it.

Do not feel ashamed.
Commend you on your new job 💐 I’m sure you’ll get promotions if you want them and it’s easier to look for other jobs if you’re in employment.

Smile
At them at your boss at yourself
Stay positive it does not matter your age
you have life experience which will make you a better candidate for promotion
Work hard
be enthusiastic and this will be your stepping stone

And well done for getting a job. Nothing to be ashamed about at all!
Those who should be ashamed are people fit for work and circumstances allow, who can’t be bothered to get off their arses and do it as life is easier on benefits.

Congratulations! All new jobs take a while to get used to the culture. If you really don't like it after a while you now have concrete experience on your CV. Don't feel bad that is a fairly low salary. Most of us start there and education is never a waste. I was chatting to guy on the till at Aldi and he had walked away from being a teacher and was much happier.

Well I'd try not to let things that are beyond your control bother you - easier said than done I know. I didn't get my first job til I was 37.

Do you want to be promoted?

Ignore the 'entry level' terminology. Huge numbers of the population will never earn more than 'entry level ' they earn their wage.
It takes guts to get back into the fray and aim for promotion and start anew.

Mate don't feel ashamed!

You've got a professional job with a promotion structure. Embrace it, hold your head up and be proud of yourself.

You're a mature person who's obviously got a work ethic, use this to your advantage in developing relationships with people higher up the chain. Often it's not what you know but who you know. Get yourself noticed in a good way - speak up at meetings, offer to take on additional work, whatever.

Best of luck OP.

You say people get promoted after 6 months so why couldn’t this be you?

Absolutely 💯 well done on getting a job.I can only echo really what everyone else has said in total agreement with all, particularly @Greenestgreen!!! At the end of the day you have a job and irrespective of the pay (which a lot of us chose to stay on for various reasons) you should be proud of yourself. 🫂

I think you should be happy that the company that employed you did so on merit and did not age discriminate. Make the most of the opportunity.

What industry are you working in, OP?

@lljkk it's insurance

@StrictlyAFemaleFemale yes sure, I want to be promoted & move up the ladder

Thank you all for your very kind words

It means the world to me

Thank you

Well, I started paid work for the first time in over a decade (and for a decade before that) a week after my 53rd birthday. I'm on less than 20k a year. Currently hoping I passed the interview for a permanent post the next rung up, which I think is about 23k: I work in a team with about 20 people at that level, ranging in age from 25 to a few weeks off retirement.

As a pp said, the whole idea of "entry-level" jobs is a bit dead in the water. You just don't start as office junior (polishing up the handle on the big front door) at the age of 14 and gradually move up as your superiors retire any more (damn, I really want to be ruler of the queen's navee now).

You can move up.

It’s not so unusual to change or restart careers in your early 40s. Be proud of what you’ve achieved. And maybe enjoy your air of mystery around the young ones.

I've just started a whole new career at 42 ! You're never too old!

I did it. A few years out, my old job no longer existed, I was very specialised and over qualified for most things.

after a couple of years not even getting interviews for admin jobs, I started applying to the civil service, police etc as their application process is very defined- you tick the boxes, they don’t care if you have a post grad degree for an entry level job.

got an entry level job, enjoyed it, like you was much older than everyone else. From day 1 people were asking how long I planned to stay and were sending me job specs for postgrad roles.

I stayed 4 years, although started looking for more senior jobs about 2/3 years on. Got one, and am now at a similar pay scale to when I left my old career.

I think your amazing, congratulations

@merryhouse I see you!

I've just done this in My 50's!

It was the career I wanted back in my 20's but didn't pursue

I don't need a massive salary....nobody can quite understand why I'm not chasing the money!