Ageism or Invisibility? The Uncomfortable Truth About Job Search Struggles

Is ageism being used as an excuse for job search struggles?

Now before you think “Has Trevor gone crazy???”

Hear me out.

But first, an honest question for experienced job seekers:

When you apply for a role…

do you follow up with the hiring manager or recruiter?

Or do you just wait?

Ageism absolutely exists in the hiring market.

Unconscious bias is real.

Some employers absolutely make assumptions about older candidates.

Anyone who says otherwise hasn’t been paying attention.

But here’s something I’ve noticed after 29 years in the IT recruitment and professional services industry.

I regularly agree to provide job search coaching to experienced professionals who believe they are being blocked by ageism.

And I completely understand why they feel that way.

But when we dig deeper into their job search approach, I often find something else.

They are:

◼️ Applying for vacancies online

◼️ Waiting for responses

◼️ Not following up

◼️ Not activating their professional network

In other words, they are relying on the hardest path in the job market.

Submitting applications as an anonymous applicant in a pile of 200 - 500 resumes.

Then concluding:

“See…it must be ageism.”

But here’s where things get interesting.

When we start changing the behaviour, the outcomes change.

We get them hustling.

Activating their network.

Contacting hiring managers.

Engaging with recruiters.

Following up tenaciously.

And suddenly, doors start opening.

In fact, we now have CareerAGILITY graduates in their 50s and 60s getting their hustle on and landing roles.

Why?

Because your professional network doesn’t see your age first.

They see your:

◼️ experience

◼️ capability

◼️ judgement

◼️ track record

Most importantly…

They know and trust you.

And trust is the currency of hiring.

When you’re known, you get conversations.

When you’re referred, you get interviews.

When you’re trusted, you get hired.

But when you’re unknown…

You’re just another resume in a large pile.

And resumes are very easy to ignore.

So here’s the uncomfortable but important question.

Is ageism stopping you, or is the market simply not noticing you yet?

Because the moment you move from anonymous applicant to known professional, the game changes.

Your network is your unfair advantage.

Use it.

And if this sounds like you, if you feel like ageism is holding you back, send me a DM.

Let’s talk about how we can change the odds in your favour.

TC 💛