Redundant at 53 - what the heck now?

[Toastandmarmite999]

Hi,

I was made redundant just before Christmas.

I'd retrained in this job 3 years ago and it's taken these 3 years for it to become clear to both me and my employer that I just wasn't cut out for my new chosen career.

So I'm returning to what I know - admin/secretarial/office managerial - and I'm currently applying for so many jobs - it's exhausting.

I'm a lone parent - I have enough savings to keep us going until March, but I'm finding that I'm not even getting asked for interviews despite having a strong CV.

This has never happened before and I can only assume that it's because of my age. The last time I was in the job market was over 10 years ago (I was hired at my previous role through an internship whilst studying).

Are others my age here finding the same - do you have similar experiences? I've registered with 14 recruitment agencies, but nothing yet.

Admittedly it's early days and there's been Christmas and New Year to get through - but I'm already panicking and applying for jobs that will leave us out of pocket, or a commute which will mean leaving my DD before she leaves for school and not being there for when she gets back (I was WFH before which was ideal).

Please send me some rays of hope you silver beauts - any tips, any success stories. Thanks x

Some larger universities have their own internal temping pools where you get allocated to different uni departments for different length assignments. A good way to build up your experience and getting your face known while looking out for any permanent jobs that come up.

It sounds trite but you need to focus on your positives and not fixate on your age as a negative - you will start to see all rejections as being about this if you let it get too significant in your mind. Write out a list of your greatest strengths and remind yourself of them regularly. Include your age as a plus - to be honest I would far rather hire a 53 yo than a Gen Zer based on what I have seen in recent years!

Worth looking at utilities companies (gas, water) as they have lots of jobs that will match your skill set and often offer hybrid working, which may suit?. Don't let age put you off, you have valuable transferable skills.

@CopperLion I think denying realities helps no one. Ageism is real. OP will get a job I am sure, but she needs to know it is not her fault.

I’d avoid agencies to be honest, they tend to put everyone remotely hopeful up for jobs when their skill set doesn’t necessarily match, so you don’t know whether the job was something they really matched you with or whether they were taking a punt.

Application forms are great because everyone has to provide the same information. Make sure each application is tailored to explicitly show how you meet each point of the person spec because that’s how the application is scored for shortlisting - you’d be amazed how many people don’t do that. While ageism is an issue, it’s wholly possible to find a good job, I’m 52 and have just moved to a really good job in my sector - really play on the experience you do have.

I wonder if your confidence has been dented by your recent change not working out as you had hoped?

@mantyzer I don’t disagree with you, but the two things are not mutually exclusive. I’m suggesting that one strategy for combating the impact of age discrimination is to build one’s self-esteem and stay positive. Otherwise it can be easy to become disillusioned to the point of not pursuing opportunities or showing up as downbeat in front of potential employers who may not be discriminatory in nature. In short, to try to acknowledge the ageism without internalising it or letting it get out of proportion. Hopefully this is a useful suggestion for OP to complement the good practical advice she has also received on job hunting strategies.

Yes - have tried to hide my age, but I wonder if it's best to come clean as I can't hide my wrinkles in a job interview!

No - no clues given - but I do wonder if it's wasting everyone's time get as far as interview just to disappoint everyone with my greying hair!

A friend of mine is 71, hadn't worked in years and did a computer course. She's in financial dire straits, signed up to a temping agency for office work but didn't give her age. She was snapped up for a temp position but did say she laughed at their faces when she arrived and said 'I'm your token OAP'. They've offered her a full time job now, but she says she doesn't want to spend all week with 20yr olds so, when this contract ends, she's ready to line up another one.

If you have good admin skills think about looking more toward board role type jobs. Schools all have a governing body - each employs a board clerk l, likewise clinical commission groups within the nhs and local town councils and government bodies. These jobs tend to be more flexible l, pay well and the older generation are favoured due to the wealth of experience they bring to the board. I juggle a couple of board roles and do very well financially from it.

It absolutely has!

I found I was more successful at online interviews. I think it is easier to disguise your age a bit on an online interview.

Are you sure the new career path isn't for you? 4 years will have given you some experience and being made redundant could be a financial issue at the company, not necessarily that you weren't good at it? What was the new career path can you say? Is there scope for applying for roles there, or similar, as well as the admin/office manager roles?

I think your confidence has been dented, understandably and that may be colouring your view. I'm similar age and work in IT but dread ever having to look for a new role for the same reasons. I have to say though that there are lots, and lots of late forties people coming up where I work, and in the industry generally, and nobody seems to be about to get rid of them.

Sorry, but that's the wrong frame of mind entirely. You turn up at the interview telling yourself they'll be damned lucky to get you, grey hair or not. And none of this 'wasting people's time,' either. You are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you.

I'm the same. Told my job was 'fake' redundant (they are hiring my role more cheaply up in their new Head Office in Leicester) on Christmas Eve, after 4 years. I feel so incredibly miserable.

Wishing you success OP, and quickly.

Why DO employers always seem to want to shitcan people at Christmas?? I've had it as a perm employee, I've had it as a temp.

End of the financial year for many, makes the paperwork tidier and budget submissions easier. Shitty though and I'd like to think I would never do it.

Sorry to hear that Oblomov, dust yourself down and find a better job. I'm sure it will pick up now after the long holidays and everyone I know, ever, who got made redundant eventually ended up with a better paid job.

I've never had a problem with older admin staff and don't even think 53 is old anyway.

When I last had a secretary she was in her 60s and we got (me in my 40s) like a house on fire. The colleague I did a job share with until she retired was in her 60s and she was probably the best person I've ever worked with. A lot of people will be working until their 70s, employers really need to get over any ageism against older employees. Also as far as I know it's still an employees' market just now, I'm sure you'll find something suitable.

Same as @shearwater2. I’m in my 40s and my current exec assistant is older than any I have ever had. I would guess she is approaching her 60s at least, whereas others have all been under 40. She is worth her weight in gold: clearly seen it all before, inordinately competent, emotionally mature. Just a pleasure to work with and so impactful. I never think about her age actually, but reading this thread brings her to mind. The right employer will feel the same about you OP, and you are much younger.

I just don’t see 50ish as being old - probably because I’m that age and don’t feel old. I’d be very offended if someone thought my IT skills weren’t up to date because I was past 50, it’s hardly elderly.

In my circle most of us have move jobs quite easily in recent years - there’s a level of skill, experience and maturity that’s important in the workplace. I’d be focussing on that rather than my grey hair and the condition of my skin.

Yep, it really isn't. You've potentially got another 25 years of working! And people in their 50s are greying, sure, but not many are grey and most dye their hair still I'd have though if so. I think it's a 'old before your time' mindset that can set in, especially when you've had a knock, but people get made redundant in their twenties too so I think it's important not to get too hung up on the age thing. I'm sure it's there, esp when dealing with first line 22y old recruiters, but it's not the full picture I don't think.

Lots of women in their fifties do not dye their hair. Why should they?

Civil service is bloody hard to get into. It's always trotted out on these threads. I'm 53 and sick to death of applying and getting nowhere. Utterly soul destroying. I find them very smug at interview actually.

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=551233937263&device=t&matchtype=b&adpos=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAy9msBhD0ARIsANbk0A-Fn42vAv3R7D9_BsGFwOIN7SLWnsUjLiq_GWTRP5KNGiR-tBGQOp0aAqaEEALw_wcB

Oops posted too soon. Don't get despondent, I am well over 50 and work in financial sales, well I did. Lost my job 5 times in three years and have always found one quickly and each has been a higher salary or better perks. I'm now earning 20k more than last November but only working 3 days. You will be fine.