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57 and trying to find a new job again!

59 replies

Toooldforanything · 16/06/2025 10:10

Hi - I would really value some advice please. I left a job of 16 years due to a toxic senior management team for what I thought would be the job of my dreams! However - it hasn't worked that way, people are nice but there is very little for me to do. Without outing, on paper it should be non-stop, but it isn't. I have tried to ask for more work, discussed my concerns, attended training and even started an online course to keep me busy. The problem is that it is a very small organization.
Its still too quiet. I have done my work in an hour and spend the rest of my 5 hours a day anxious and thinking "what the hell have I done". I know that after 6 months of trying to make it work I need to move on, but here's the problem......I'm 57. I have had 4 interviews, felt they all went well and didn't get any of them. I'm hardworking, never had much sickness and so want to be busy. I think I look younger than my age. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out my age when they ask for your work history and dates. Should I just resign first and then start looking??

My other problem is taking time off to attend interviews. I work within the education sector and therefore cannot take annual leave outside of school holidays. I know education settings should be busy but this one just isnt! I have just turned down an interview because it was 11.30am! I have already pulled the dentist/sickness card much to my shame.

OP posts:
DifferentChild · 17/06/2025 09:43

@Toooldforanything I’m a similar age to you and no way would I be leaving that job right now. Find ways to entertain yourself (audiobooks, word puzzles whatever) pace your work and do one task an hour instead of blitzing it first thing. The job market is super tough and the grass is rarely greener for this kind of job, if the people are nice that’s a huge plus.
I did o’levels and know that it dates you I just say GCSES because I’ve never had to show proof and most people don’t know or care when they changed once you’re a couple of jobs in. For work history I’d just give the last decade, no one cares what you were doing in 1988.
Seriously though, make the most of an easy job.

Laurmolonlabe · 17/06/2025 09:51

Why did you leave a job because there wasn't enough work?
You should have looked for a job in the time you had left over.
Getting a new job at 57 is no easy task-even if you are a workaholic.
No one really talks about it but ageism is a real thing and it is rampant.
I applied for a job for which I was amply qualified I have 30 years practical experience- I did not even get an interview (I was 60) they vehemently denied it , but age was the whole reason I did not get an interview- the person they employed was nearly 20 years younger and had zero years experience- they would be teaching something they had never done.
I have tried for several other similar posts and have still never had an interview-your applications will not progress.
You seem to like being very busy-so I suggest setting up your own business it will be hard but far easier than getting employed at 57.

VioletHamilton · 17/06/2025 12:16

I hope your interview went well OP if you decided to go! I'm almost 50, got made redundant today and have been on MN looking for some ideas/ support. I've been working in admin jobs for 30 years now Shock but my DC are still young so I'm stuck working round school hours for now. I just feel too old and tired to show much keenness for finding something else and being trained up yet again...

DramaAlpaca · 17/06/2025 13:43

@Toooldforanything yes of course you must go! Best of luck!

Themaghag · 18/06/2025 00:14

DesparatePragmatist · 16/06/2025 11:41

Solidarity. Also 57, also looking for a new job. I've never done this many applications with zero progress. Different line of work (charity manager) and I know the economy is massively difficult and affecting opportunities, but I do also think age is affecting our chances.

Have you de-aged your CV? That was the advice on a previous thread. Put the last 10-15 years or so on with dates, and then just have a 'previous experience' section with roles and responsibilities listed in summary. No dates on qualifications etc either.

Doesn't seem to have helped me yet but worth doing. Good luck, OP!

Edited

I de-aged my CV and left everything pre 90s off.. Fortunately for me my interviews were conducted via Teams, which makes everyone look like shit. I got the job and I think they were a bit surprised and possibly quite horrified when they realized that they'd hired someone aged 72, but by that stage it was too late. You can do it OP - good luck!

Tourist29 · 18/06/2025 08:32

AgeingGreycefully · 16/06/2025 20:21

The golden rule is to NEVER leave a job until you have a job to go to. However tricky interviews might be you have to stick with it. until a new position is in the bag!

There are two sides to this - sometimes when we were recruiting it was an advantage to have someone able to start immediately rather than work notice. They obviously had to be a good candidate too but it can be a positive.

GentleJadeOP · 18/06/2025 12:51

MyCoralHedgehog · 17/06/2025 07:44

Have you tried Police support staff roles? These are very busy and rewarding to work for, very supportive environment and they encourage the experience of older staff. In my office we were all over 55

Does anyone ever bother to read the replies? There’s loads of really helpful comments on this and so many other posts I see, sometimes well written and comprehensive helpful replies. It annoys me when I see the original poster never bothers to thank them when people have gone to a lot of trouble to reply. Maybe I’m just feeling irritated today! I have quoted this one as just an example. Why bother asking the questions if you’re not going to reply? 🤣

Toooldforanything · 18/06/2025 12:58

@MyCoralHedgehog Thank you. I have tried to react as much as possible to all the lovely replies and suggestions on the react button. Apologies to anyone I haven't thanked. I can't win!

OP posts:
KnitFastDieWarm · 18/06/2025 13:06

@Toooldforanything try the civil service, they don’t care about age and make you take all dates off your CV. The application process is a bit of a learning curve but DM me if you find a role you like and I’ll be happy to help 🙂

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