I now understand what one of my former coworkers was trying to tell me: finding a job becomes more challenging as you get older. Initially, I didn’t pay much attention because I have a strong skill set. However, after spending some time searching for new opportunities, I’ve been humbled by the reality of ageism.
Currently, I’m managing by taking on a few contract jobs, but it still bothers me when companies go through the final stages of reference checks only to choose another candidate in the end.
Some people suggest it’s not ageism but rather my interview technique. I’ve tried various approaches and strategies. I hate to use the phrase, “back in the day, they looked at your skill set…” Ahhhhh.