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

If you live near or in London, Transport for London employ a lot of older people in admin, customer service, and tube stations. I know of an older woman working part time at Victoria Underground station, she's in her late sixties.

I think I suddenly thought "oh my God, I am 60, who will want me"

Every time you think something like that, your brain believes it a bit more. So instead of the 'OMG who will want me?' you feed it positive thoughts. In your case, I am capable, I can do this, I can cope. Tell yourself there are managers out there who would kill for the chance to to employ you. Managers who would be lucky to have you working for them.

Now all you need is a killer CV.

Thank you, you are quite right, I can see now that I have been my own worst enemy.

Asda are great. My dad is 62 and disabled (leg and arm amputee). He is a delivery driver for them. He loves getting out and about and meeting all the customers.

They are also great with him if his false leg breaks or if he has to take time off because my mum is unwell. Highly recommend them for looking after older employees. I don't think the pay is great but my parents certainly get by on the one wage.

support organisation

https://wiseage.org.uk/

over 50s recruitment sites:

https://restless.co.uk/jobs/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=GS%20-%20Jobs%20-%20Retire%20-%20GK%20-%20EXA&utm_term=Employment%20For%20Senior%20Citizens&creative=551233937260&device=m&matchtype=b&adpos=&gclid=CjwKCAjw3dCnBhBCEiwAVvLcuwhk90VI2wqUZYu9ETtjgGw9JbPeoGGBFJPD7v5fXqMe2Qe90mXZKxoCz9IQAvD_BwE

https://jobs-redefined.co/?gclid=CjwKCAjw3dCnBhBCEiwAVvLcu8u4Px15p7AFjD5gHW88-bNkhyd4SpM95uS8MoyOd_jw6HLt98eq6hoCEzsQAvD_BwE

https://www.hewett-recruitment.co.uk/50-plus-skills?source=google.com

Also

Focus on the positive - you have a ton of experience. Don’t think who will want me - an employer would be lucky to get you.

Make sure you have a killer CV

And also it doesn’t need to make your age obvious at first site - don’t need to go back right to the beginning - just have a ‘pre-2000’ section

The support on here has been fantastic, the willingness of complete strangers to share advice and tips has totally shifted my mindset this morning.

You would probably find that local authorities/public sector would employ you; however I don't know what sort of work you would like? I met lots of older people who did admin sort of jobs in the public sector and were great.

There's a good website called 'restless" with jobs for people not far from retirement eg. My age

Good luck op and enjoy your holiday

My dsis is an NHS manager, constantly telling me how hard it is to recruit to band 2-3 admin type jobs. I imagine they'd snap you up.

Also try local schools, they're struggling to recruit support staff and would probably love somebody a bit older to balance out the 18-21 year old apprentices.

I have a large team and all I look for when recruiting are relevant experience, attitude, a great work ethic and personality fit.

I just extended the contract of a member of my team who is 70 - I employed her at 68 because she genuinely loves what she does and doesn't want to retire.

When you go into interviews, don't think of your age as an issue, because it shouldn't be. The right company will want you.

I work with people in the civil service with no qualifications. Don’t rule it out.

I work in a school - we’d snap you up with your experience. Mature workers are so much easier to work with than many younger people.

This gives me hope!
52 and currently work as a TA in a SEN school. Desperately need to earn more money right now.

Good luck OP... I'm sure you will bag yourself a lovely new job soon 🤞

Have you considered being a local authority EHCP writer/placement officer or a supporting role in this area?
Our authority always seem to have those type of jobs going and I know of several filled by people who did jobs similar to yours.

I would take reliability, the right personality, good attitude and lots of experience any day over qualifications.

That's good to hear, hopefully there are more employers out there who have the same attitude!

Good to hear

I've been keeping an eye on the job vacancies for NHS & civil service

I will be looking to change career soon

The NHS Trust that I have been looking at has an admin services recruitment open day soon. Do you think that I should attend ?

Although, I will not need a job until Nov, Dec or Jan

Yes but wants to work alone or in pairs late at night at a London tube station at 60+?

All good advice - the restless website is good. So is Evenbreak, which although designed for people with disabilities, has a list of companies who aren't so blinkered in their recruitment processes.

Also consider Mutuals such as NFU Mutual in the financial services sector. Again, mutuals tend to be less blinkered and more inclusive.

Good luck with your search OP. You're not too old and don't forget experience outways qualifications.

Yes definitely go! (To the poster w wondering about an early jobs fair).

Another one adding to the chorus saying I’ve seen career progression in an over 65 colleague (promoted twice) in NHS admin. Also worked with a 75+ colleague who came in on bank a few days a week!