Panicking ref redundant at 60 - how ageist is it out there?

[SallyW63]

Hi

I was recently made redundant, am currently 59 but will be 60 in a few weeks time. People say I don't look anywhere near my age (I certainly don't feel it) and I'm fit and healthy but I've gone into panic mode wondering who on earth will employ someone of my age. I am single and need to be employed full time until I am 67 at least - not an issue for me as I really enjoy working but I wonder how many employers feel the same.

I understand the NHS, Civil Service and local authorities are age blind I cannot apply for any of their jobs as I have zero qualifications. My mum died very suddenly just before my O'levels, the plan was to take them at later date but I never did.

I've always worked in office support roles, Admin, Customer Service, Project Administrator and PA (PA role was made redundant after 13yrs in 2020 due to Covid. I was in my latest role, HR Administrator, for two years, it was a small family owned business which was sold very suddenly a couple of months ago. I'm gutted as I loved the job/people and had hoped to stay until retirement.

I don't know how age blind recruitment agencies are but I am planning to register for temp work. Can I ask those of you who are a similar age or older, what roles do you do, please?

Thank you

NHS has loads of admin posts, clinic receptionists, ward receptionists. They're very happy to have older people

Also look at private companies doing NHS work.

I feel confident there are NHS clerical roles that would hire you without any O-Levels. I say as someone who regularly recruits people in the NHS. You’ve got a wealth of experience; so if a role tells you it’s “essential” then my advice is to ignore and apply anyway. And actually I usually get quite excited when an older person* turns up because they’re usually better candidates.

*anyone over the age of about 45, because I’d say 75% of candidates are younger than that.

I'ld say NHS as well - there are Band 2 and Band 3 admin jobs that don't need GCSEs, where your previous admin experience would be sufficient.

As well as NHS look at your local council jobs website.

they often have bank roles that lead to permanent positions.

I work in the NHS too. Definitely apply for anything band 2 or 3 that looks interesting to you that you could match your experience to. I know for a fact that my hospital pharmacy likes older people applying for pharmacy assistant and dispenser roles as the average school leaver and 20 something's are building careers and constantly trying to move on and the older folk tend to create a niche for themselves and stay. We've funded basic math/English courses for a few in recent years so that they could apply for student technician roles and others have come back after retiring the first time.
NHS pension scheme is useful too.

Don't worry about the qualifications if you have experience, often there will be civil service jobs with things like this (bolding mine):

Qualifications Essential
• GCSE A-C Grade (or equivalent) including Maths and English (and Welsh where applicable) or proven track record in commensurate role*
Qualifications Desirable
• IT qualification equivalent, i.e. ECDL/CLAIT or equivalent work experience to the competency level of ECDL

As above with NHS don't rule out local authorities. Try the council website and temping agencies as that's sometimes a way in.

I don’t imagine it will be much harder at 60 than it was at 57 really?

it may not pay enough but retail might be a shout?

I would hire you in a heartbeat over the snowflakes I have at the moment!

Does anyone know a good temping agency?

It's better than it used to be. There's a skills shortage and lots of companies will welcome a sound, experienced, no-fuss pair of safe hands. Make sure you include all your experience, and your good health on your cv.

I was made redundant during covid at 58 and while some companies were dismissive, I found a good job relatively quickly. Good luck.

I do quite a bit of recruitment in the Civil Service and have to disagree with the advice to ignore the minimum education requirements. We do check and an offer will be withdrawn if you lie.
I agree that mature candidates are very welcome though. Usually perform very well at interview.

Search on restless.co.uk - all employers are confirmed to be age inclusive and many are actively seeking the over 50s as you bring so many fantastic qualities and experience. They have 50k+ jobs advertised so you should find something suitable.

I work in NHS admin and we would definitely consider you, always looking for capable, experienced people.

Sorry meant to say if you explain the lack of exam qualifications on your application your experience would also be considered.

I recruit in the civil service and we don't look at any qualifications hiring is just on experience. Have a look on the civil service jobs website. Good luck.

The market is good for job hunters as a lot of 50+ people did not return after covid.

you could look at
https://www.workingwise.co.uk/jobs-for-the-over-50s
for jobs and also advice about your cv. A recruitment agency would talk up your skills and reliability to an employer and odten people in temporary roles stay for years.

something to tied you over temporarily could be the canvass for the electoral register if your local council is still recruiting It’s flexible work best done in early evening and weekends so allows time for applications and interviews.

Your local council should have an employment and skills team so worth checking there and to see if they have free / cheap IT courses I’d you need to brush up in anything.

Look at universities as well if there are any near you; there are lots of administrative functions that need doing behind the scenes. If there aren't any suitable vacancies now, ask if they have any sort of temp work available - this can be a good in.

I wouldn't worry about the O Levels. You're qualified by experience and that's far more valuable than some old qualifications you studied for 40 odd years ago.
Places are on their knees out there looking for good, reliable people. Apply away OP, don't let this worry or limit you.
Good luck!

I don't know how age blind recruitment agencies are but I am planning to register for temp work. Can I ask those of you who are a similar age or older, what roles do you do, please?

69, was made redundant at 50 and temped for years (finance roles) until was offered a perm job aged 63. Did that for 4 years, now semi retired and contemplating going back to temping.

IME agencies want to know you'll turn up, do the job, be reliable and not take the piss with your hours. I never, as far as I know, had an issue with age because I did a damned good job at all my assignments.

Don't go back more than 10 years, though, leave your age off.

I was in the exact same situation as you last year in a job I would never have left. I was worried sick I would not be able to get a job. I was hired immediately and can honestly say it's been a really good thing for me. Better hours, money and great people. I now realise I was stagnating in my other workplace and I have so much more to offer. The company I now work for seemed to have no hesitation in hiring someone older (I am 59).

Get your CV on the job sites then you are good to go and check in every day. I had email alerts sent. Apply for jobs as soon as they come up as I think that in a lot of cases employers switch off after so many responses. My job had over 100 applicants but I'm pretty sure I was one of the first so that went in my favour.I

Good luck and keep us updated to how you get on.

Personally I wouldn't use jobsites. People click and send their CV without even bothering to think if they're suitable for the role and employers end up getting hundreds of the things. How are they supposed to sort the wheat from the chaff?

Your job search needs to be focussed - NHS, council, civil service, whatever else you decide appeals to you. Some good suggestions upthread - in fact I'm checking out my local trust for jobs and seeing what appeals after reading this thread.

Thank you so much to everyone who has taken the time to reply, I feel far more optimistic after reading your comments. The panic attacks have been quite overwhelming over the last few weeks which isn't like me at all. I think I suddenly thought "oh my God, I am 60, who will want me". I am going to take on board the advice given and will keep you updated. I have a pre-booked 2 week holiday with friends next week so plan to hit the ground running once I'm back at the end of September.