Why is it so hard to get a job right now? Is anyone else struggling?

Dear Grace,

Thank you for the opportunity to express a concern I have. I am 55 years old and I am having difficulty finding a job. It’s not like I’m applying for “out of my league” jobs; I qualify for the role and have experience. To be quite honest, it’s never been so difficult.

Is it my age? Is it that I’m not as pretty? Or is it simply just how sad our state of the economy is? I can’t help but feel a bit of ageism. Do you get many letters with this type of concern? Any advice on certain websites that can maybe help? Thx.

– Not Too Old To Work, from California

Dear Not Too Old,

First of all—you are not alone. I get hundreds of questions every week asking me, “Why is it so hard to get a job right now?” I hear from folks in so many industries…restaurant workers, hospital staff, teachers, women who work in technology, marketing, science. I hear from people well into their careers like yourself, as well as students looking for their first job right out of school. Most people are struggling to find work right now.

So let’s talk about how you (and so many women in your shoes) can get through this challenging time in our economy:

It’s not your fault that the job market is so bad right now.

The economy isn’t doing well—many people are losing their jobs, companies aren’t hiring enough, and more people are staying unemployed for longer. This makes job searching really hard. Women often face even more challenges during times like this because of things like caregiving responsibilities, lower pay, and rising living costs. On top of that, many women deal with ageism and gender discrimination when applying for jobs. If you feel like you’re being treated unfairly, you might be—and you’re not alone.

Keep your chin up and keep trying.

You are a qualified professional. You are a strong and capable woman, and we can do anything. It’s true that you’re facing tough odds right now: the economy is in rough shape, and discrimination may be locking you out of opportunities. That doesn’t mean that you can’t still get your dream job…it just means the search may take longer than you’d like. 

Here are some quick tips to super-charge your job search:

• Ask a friend or former colleague to look over your application materials. A fresh set of eyes can help see things you don’t. To protect yourself from ageism, remove your age, graduation dates, and older work experience from your resume. 
• Pinpoint where in the process you’re getting stuck, and focus on that. Are you having trouble getting an interview? Spend time rebuilding your resume and LinkedIn profile to make sure they reflect your best self. Are you getting rejected after a first interview? Ask a friend to help you practice how to interview well.
• Expand your network. Have some “informational interviews” with people who work in your field. Talk to them about their work and ask them to connect you to 3 of their colleagues.

Plan for the long haul.

Because the job market is so rough right now, consider picking up a part-time job to help tide you over until your next role. Check out my advice for this mom who is looking for a part-time role while her kids are at school. Read advice from readers across the country on how to save money in this tough economy. Or pick up a little extra cash doing gigs like food and grocery delivery. You don’t want to rush into a role that isn’t right for you, so make sure you are supporting yourself while you look if you can.

I’m sorry that you’re job hunting in such a tough job market, Not Too Old. Looking for your next role should be an exciting and inspiring journey, not a never-ending slog. Unfortunately, many women across the country are struggling with you. The reason why you’re having so much trouble may be due to discrimination, like you mentioned, but I think a large part of it is because of the economy. While we get through this tough time, keep your chin up, keep applying, and take care of yourself.

Take care,

Grace

P.S. At a recent In Focus conversation, a group of women gathered to discuss the things we have in common and the things that make us unique. Check out what Kathryn shared about her experience of ageism (video will start at the 17:24 mark):