I'm 55 and have applied to over 300 jobs. I never expected my 32 years of experience to work against me.

1 day ago 8

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Leslie Sonnenklar, a 55-year-old communications and content professional from Phoenix, Arizona. It's been edited for length and clarity.

I was laid off in March 2025, and honestly, the job search since then has been one of the most frustrating and defeating experiences of my life.

As a professional in my mid-50s, I have more than 32 years of experience in the communications industry. I started my career in 1994 as a marketing coordinator, owned my own business for 11 years, and most recently served as the director of content and communications at a marketing agency.

Over the last 14 months, I've applied for over 300 jobs. I've tailored my résumé, written thoughtful cover letters, reached out to hiring managers, met with recruiters, and tried to keep an open mind about positions with titles similar to those I held much earlier in my career.

Many people are nice and say things like, "Oh, I've been there twice" or even three times. I've never been in a situation where I couldn't find a job. It's difficult, and sometimes I feel embarrassed. Still, I have to believe that I'll find something — that it's all a blip —and I'll pick right back up where I left off.

It's hard to stay positive after only landing a handful of interviews

LinkedIn will say "over 100 people" have applied to a job — but that could mean 101 or 1,001. It makes me feel like the odds are stacked against me before anyone has even seen my résumé.

I find it hard to believe companies look at my résumé and think I'm not qualified. I make it a point to tailor every résumé with AI to align my experience with what they say they want in the job description. I know I bring value. I bring good judgment, perspective, maturity, creativity, and decades of experience helping organizations strengthen their brand.

I truly want to learn and innovate, and I even taught younger people how to use AI at my last agency. It's been hard to stay optimistic, but I know I have to because I still need to come across as professional, capable, and qualified.

I feel like experience becomes a liability once you reach a certain point in your career

The only conclusion I can come to is that I'm overqualified for a lot of these jobs, or they think that I'm too stuck in my ways because I've been doing this for 32 years. I believe ageism is at play in today's job market. I was even told by recruiters: only include the last 10 years of your job history.

A company can hire someone in their 20s or 30s and pay them less, and mold them. Maybe companies are looking to teach younger employees along the way and pay them less than what they'd pay someone with my experience.

Companies say they're looking for experienced people, but the job descriptions read like they're looking for a unicorn. I've seen roles that want one person to lead strategy, write copy, manage SEO, be an analytics expert, and even handle design. Those aren't the same skill sets, and senior communications professionals shouldn't have to have all of those to prove their value.

I've lowered — or at least adjusted — my expectations

In 2025, I was only applying for remote jobs because that's what I ideally want. But after nine months and only a few interviews, I started applying to jobs with companies in the Phoenix area.

I also pivoted away from applying to jobs posted on LinkedIn and started focusing more on jobs where I could find an inside connection or referral. When you're out of work and doing everything you can, even a small introduction can feel like a lifeline.

One of the more frustrating things has been reaching out to people I know — including people I've known for years — and getting no response.

Occasionally, someone has been kind enough to make an introduction to a hiring manager or recruiter, and I've secured a couple of interviews that way, but it hasn't been enough.

It can feel hopeless, but I have to believe the right job will come along

This search has been one of the most humbling experiences of my life. I never thought I'd be in this situation. The constant questions from family and friends come from a good place, but every time I have to say, "No, I still haven't found a job," it makes the process feel even more defeating.

I'm not worried about my future retirement, financial plans, or sense of stability yet. I've saved well — I was smart and planned financially, should something like this ever happen.

It does bother me, though, that I want to be prepared when I do retire, and I've spent the last year not contributing to that retirement. I also know that it's just a matter of not finding that right opportunity. I know in my heart that I'll find something.

Do you have a story to share about navigating your career in your 50s? If so, please reach out to the reporter at [email protected].

Most popular

Business Insider tells the stories you want to know about the world of business, technology, and finance

Robin Madell has spent over two decades as a corporate writer and communications consultant in New York and San Francisco, serving as a copywriter, ghostwriter, and speechwriter for executives, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders across diverse industries, with a focus on productivity, work-life balance, stress management, and women's leadership. As a business journalist, Robin contributes to Business Insider's Strategy section, and her work has also been published in Harvard Business Review, Fortune, Forbes, US News & World Report, and many other business publications. Robin is the author of "Surviving Your Thirties: Americans Talk About Life After 30" and has contributed to many business books including "Ditch Your Inner Critic at Work: Evidence-Based Strategies to Thrive in Your Career," "Rise to the Top: How Women Leverage Their Professional Persona to Earn More," and "Be Your Own Mentor: Strategies from Top Women on the Secrets of Success," published by Random House. Before starting her own business as a corporate writer, Robin held executive positions in communications, journalism, and advertising, including as vice president and managing director at Draftfcb in New York, as managing editor at Cline Davis & Mann, and as director of communications at Catalyst, Inc., on Wall Street; she has also served on the Board of Directors of the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association in New York and San Francisco. An avid runner and two-time Boston Marathon qualifier, Robin graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with honors from University of Oregon, a.k.a. TrackTown USA, where she majored in English — visit her on her website or connect with her on LinkedIn.