Job Hunting at Midlife: Past My Prime?

It was easy to be vital and an integral part of the fabric of American society during the good times. Middle-class, middle-aged women (and sometimes men) spent easy cash on face-lifts, fast cars to salve their aging egos, second homes and exotic vacations. They were viewed with envy by many young people eager to follow in their footsteps. Fifty is the new 30 became a rallying cry for those able to ward off mid-life crises with more toys, boutique gym memberships and regular Botox injections.

So what is the impact of the ongoing recession on those of us who always knew that 50 is 50? As a middle-class, middle-aged woman, it's been a humbling experience. While I never had a face-lift or a second home, I was casual in my spending. We traveled the world, ate out a lot, and donated a good amount of money to charitable causes as I enjoyed a successful consulting business. "Quit your jobs," I exhorted my women friends, "and start a consulting business so you can be home with your kids after school and on school holidays."

I had a good run: since my daughter's birth in 1992, I've managed to work from home for all but three of those years. I was room mother, attended midday school parties and programs, helped sew costumes for school plays and made more cupcakes than I can recall -- all while maintaining a successful public relations business. Until this year. My major clients -- nonprofit organizations, foundations and small businesses -- all started cutting back on their consulting needs. Others laid off staff who became well-connected competition.

So here I am, for the first time in recent memory, having to craft a compelling resume. Do I include the year I graduated from Washington University? Is it a good thing to say that I have 30 years of experience as a communicator? Will potential employers believe that someone my age understands -- and uses -- social media sites? Am I going to regret scoffing at the idea of Botox and lip injections?

At the end of the day, I claim all of my years and hope that someone will hire me because of all I've learned and done and accomplished. But I confess that in times of economic stress, my years weigh on me in a way that they don't normally. Where I see wisdom, others may see irrelevance. Where I claim perspective, others may see obsolescence. So my resume gets emailed, downloaded, sent around to friends and strangers on a daily basis. Here's an old saying that still resonates: "Hope is the thing with feathers." Do you know what I mean?

Comments

[PaloAltoInCa]

I am 52 and have been applying for jobs for 8 months now. I have sent out so many resume's it's ridiculous. I do not get replies. I do not get feedback.

When I pushed a few companies for an answer, I got feedback that amounted to lip service. When I checked with employees of these companies on the truth of the feedback, they looked at me like I had sprouted two heads. They said what I was told by their HR Depts was total garbage. Some of the jobs I have applied to have been so basic a monkey could do them, yet somehow suddenly I am not qualified?

I have applied for local jobs in person, only to land the job then have it pulled back and actually auctioned off to the highest bidder so to speak.. It's disgusting. They are really playing games with people because they know we are on our knees. Especially those of us in the 50's demographics. I am stressed, broke, worried and scared.

[Tamar Abrams - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear PaloAlto, it's probably small consolation that you're not alone. Maybe it's time for us to reinvent ourselves -- to try applying for something new or even starting our own businesses. Just something I've been thinking about. Mostly I wanted to tell you to hold your head up high and remember that your experience and years have value. Eventually someone will see that. In the meantime, hang in there.

[Freestyler]

Tamar is speaking for a lot of people nationwide, I suspect. However, in Washington, DC, known as being "recession proof," many people are wondering where the jobs are. Suddenly, it's not good enough to be experienced, resourceful and open to new and different opportunities. At least not without a helluva lot of patience, savings (and unemployment if you qualify) and a resilient positive attitude.

I'm swimming in the same sea as Tamar and believe we will prevail -- without cosmetic surgery. Yet although pesky concerns like ageism do arise, and 50 may not be the new 30, smarts, experience and boomer energy cannot simply be dismissed. The mid-level positions being created to accomodate the economy, do not fulfill the real needs of the market. It's just a matter of time before non-profits and for-profits discover that downsizing the number and experience of employees will not serve them well.

[Don Parker - Huffpost Blogger]

As always, Tamar, you go to the heart of the matter facing many of us. And your positive spirit is a model to follow.