Maybe not a coincidence, but my dh was a teacher as well. He also is subbing at his old school (as much work as he wants thanks to Covid and burnout), though he is about to take on a part-time job there thanks to Covid funds directed toward learning loss. He’ll tutor in small groups. So much less stress than lesson plans and grading and parent emails, etc., and the money is good for teaching. He’ll work about 20 hours a week and work bagging around his eventual schedule. Zoo ticket-taker sounds fun!
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I don’t know that they can make that assumption. Younger people rarely stay in place for even 7 years. I was 50 when I started the job at my last company…stayed over 13 years and outlasted a lot of younger folks
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7 versus 20 years is probably not a big factor, when employees are unlikely to stay in the same job that long anyway.
But older applicants often are or are assumed to be seeking senior-level jobs, which are fewer in number and higher paying (more expensive to employers). Even if there is no age discrimination per se, anti-preference against those seeking or assumed to be seeking senior-level jobs is likely to affect older applicants much more.
Of course, there may be actual age discrimination as well. Indeed, the tradition of better jobs offering employer subsidized medical insurance means that there is incentive to practice age (and gender) discrimination to keep medical insurance costs down.
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My first reaction to OP post was no way would I give up a job I loved, with people I admired. I’m guessing if you like the position, they also appreciate what you do. Like others have suggested - any possibility of morphing that job into an even better one? Discuss part-time, more flexible hours, create a new department or division in another area, start a new project, etc.?
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My H will be 65 in May and is looking at taking a new job sometime this year. The job is with a company he worked at before that went out of business when they lost funding. Now the company is looking at $10 million in venture capital with the promise of $100 million additional VC money based on milestones. The CEO really wants H back to head engineering if the money comes through. H is excited about doing a start up again and would negotiate additional time off when things are slow so we can travel. H does not care for his current job, but has been sticking it out since working at home makes it much easier.
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I was going to make this comment as well. Look for the new job BEFORE quitting your old one. You don’t want to go into debt and dip into savings at this stage.
As for changing careers, yeah, I did that. Retired from the military and left an engineering job to become a community college teacher. Im 50 and am about to finish my first year of a DBA program to be able to teach online for a 4-year university in a few years. Teaching online will allow me to go on vacations with my husband when he retires while still being able to teach.
So, go ahead and jump ship to something with a better quality of life for you. But don’t do it until you have an offer and you’ve been able to make sure it’s something that will support you.
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My teaching field is an “off-ramp” for younger professionals looking for stability, and attracts many 40-somethings who – at least generalizing from the current 60+ year olds who entered the field 20 years ago in their 40s – do not leave.
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Obviously pension factors would be important. But since not mentioned in original post, I’ll assume not relevant.
“Current job is wonderful - challenging, great colleagues, nice salary.“ - Personally I’d be leery about leaving that kind of situation.
But….in my case I’ve been on corporate layoff list (twice - phew, dodged the bullet both times), and I still recall that pain. It was sooo stressful because my skills were specialized (hard to port elsewhere). Also there was a retirement medical fund I would have lost (pension is “new plan”, so it was no longer growing).
When I did leave on my own terms, it was because my husband is older and had flipped to Medicare. But also it was because the last few years were grueling, tons of offshift obligations and dealings with worldwide timeszones (Ireland, Brazil, Slovakia, China and more). The people were great. And some of the work was enjoyable. But I never want to be on pager duty again!
Yesterday when I talked to a self-employed friend in her 50s who loves her work and has evenings and weekend free, I was a bit envious. Luckily we can easily afford me being retired, so all is good.
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I wouldn’t dissuade you from seeking a new job, but I am not sure if The Great Resignation is a bit overblown. Or more specific to other demographics that might not be you, or me, apparently! I am 52 with a very good job…and I am not finding it that easy to get a new one, have been seriously looking for several months. To me it feels like director - up level jobs are not as much in play right now as entry level to manager. But maybe it’s all industry specific. I used to LOVE my job but it has all changed since the pandemic and now I don’t. So I’d really like to make a change. I had a great interview last week for something so please send good vibes my way.
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Well, I have had a few different jobs. They always ended and then I found a new one. I was an attorney and then switched to being stay at home mom and PTA active member. Then I free lanced did a few other jobs part time for 4 years each and then at age 50, started a nonprofit which I’ve been running part time ever since.
I have no regrets because I’ve loved each job and was always able to make as much money as our family needed me to cobtribute and was able to have a nice work/life balance.
Jumping from a happy job to an unknowing en is scary and risky but if it’s something you want and can afford the risk, it sounds like something you may regret NOT doing.
One option is seeing if your current job would allow you more flexability—work from home, flexible hours, more vacation, whatever you’re craving. Sometimes firms are willing to flex to keep workers they value.
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It seems to be more of a factor in the lower paid part of the labor market (restaurants, retail, etc.).
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re: Age-- it is surprising to me that job-seekers don’t do a better job of capitalizing on their years of experience, maturity, problem-solving skills, etc.
Don’t fixate on your age. it is what it is. DO make an effort to insure that your skills, approach, attitude are up to date. You need a Linkedin profile with a business/professional type photograph. It surprises me how many 55+ folks can’t be bothered. You need to make sure that you are reasonably current with your professional memberships or affinity groups- if you haven’t bothered to join the leading associations in your function or industry, now is the time. Certifications- if you are the only person in your department or on your team that doesn’t have a specific certification, that’s a pretty good signal that although you’ve done great at your current job, nobody on the outside is going to take that risk.
Etc. There are so many relatively easy and painless ways to make sure you aren’t being overlooked because of your age. And it’s really not your “age” in calendar years- who wants to hire someone who doesn’t keep up with their industry whether the person is 33 or 63?
If your personal email address is “grandmalovesjoey” get yourself a Joan underscore Miller at Gmail.com. That’s the professional way to look for a job. If your facebook profile is public set it to private and make sure you aren’t “friending” people from work (i.e. colleagues, not friends) or folks you met at an industry conference.
Get yourself invited to every zoom meeting, real life conference (aka fantastic networking opportunity) that you can, especially since now it will be on your current employers dime. I’ve reached out to colleagues that weren’t on a zoom where I expected them to be and usually get the same answer- "I don’t need to hear about “what Covid mandates mean for onboarding new employees” or whatever the topic is. yeah- because when you graduated from business school in 1985 you already took the class on Covid mandates?
Take advantage of every learning opportunity you can- i.e. pretend you are just starting out- and you’ll be surprised how willing employers will be to hire you. The folks whose presentation, interview, resume scream “I’m an old fogey and don’t want to learn new stuff” are usually the folks who- indeed- don’t want to learn new stuff.
For every job that won’t go to someone over 40, there’s a job where they are praying “please not a Millenial, Gen X or Gen Z’er”. But you have to show that you haven’t been locked in a cave for 20 years.
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I don’t think you’ll have a problem find jobs at that age, all of my relatives were able to find jobs in their 60s, that’s even before the pandemic. More people are retiring so there will be more jobs available too.
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There’s the Western North Carolina Nature Center!
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I tried that a few years years ago…it backfired. I was very fortunate to find a job that I really enjoy now, and we’re going to use the past experience to NOT do that again. Of course, this was only our experience.
There’s a lot to be said about job stability and longevity. Most people don’t have what you have, especially when you’re nearing retirement. In fact, I always envied my dad who was in the same company for 15 years before he retired with a pension. Well, I work for that same company now 
Looking for a job is a choice between salary, job stability, and area you want…pick any two.
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Why would you need to cut into savings while searching for a new job? Wouldn’t you perform a search while in your current position?
There has not been a stronger job market for decades. Go ahead and start your search while in your current position, and if you find a job that meets all your criteria for salary, work/life balance, benefits, etc. go for it. If you don’t find the perfect job you can finish your career with your current firm. As long as you are discreet in your search, what do you have to lose?
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I am sure you already thought of this, but have to ask: Would your firm have a different position that fits your goals of flexibility, travel and/or relocation? If you have been there forever and they really value your work, they might be accommodating. They might even create a job if none is posted.
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To add to the above, it is much harder to find a job while being unemployed than to land a new position while still working full time for the current employer. Some companies even have unwritten policies of never considering unemployed candidates.
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I worry that the job market might be an illusion, though. Inflation is very deceptive, because the population didn’t change, it’s the same population just reshuffling to different jobs. Once companies get used to working with less staff, they just stop hiring.
I just hired someone older than me and I’m in my early 60s!
Fwiw, in speaking with the HR folks where I work, there is an appetite for people who know how to do jobs and who might stick around. Many younger workers rightfully want mobility and growth and get it by change jobs. And companies have not done a great job of training.
Do, however, make sure you are competent with tech. Many older workers are not, especiallyif they havebeen out of the workforce. I have noticed that when an older person has a tech issue, it’s often assumed that they don’t know what they are doing (even when the tech is the problem. ) But you don’t want to be “that” person, the one who can’t share s screen or misses colleagues who reach out via teams when you only look at email…
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