If you’re over 50 and searching for a job, you already know it’s not easy. Whether you’re in your 50s, 60s, or even 70s, the job hunt can be frustrating, slow, and discouraging. In fact, about one in five job seekers age 55 or older has been looking for at least six months. Since the end of 2022, the number of long-term unemployed older workers has jumped by more than 50%.
Many people over 50 don’t just want to work—they need to. Retirement savings may not be enough, medical bills grow larger with age, and a paycheck can mean the difference between just getting by and living with peace of mind. According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute, one-third of workers have less than $50,000 in savings and investments. That’s not enough to last through retirement for most people.
On top of the financial need, many older Americans still want to contribute, stay sharp, and find purpose in their later years. Whether it’s part-time, freelance, or gig work, combining flexible jobs with free time is the new retirement dream. But age discrimination is real. Even with more remote jobs available than ever before, older applicants often feel invisible.
“I was on an Indeed panel recently for a webinar on older workers, and there were 11,000 people on it looking for work,” said Tim Driver, founder of Age Friendly Ventures and the Age Friendly Institute. “It was the largest webinar they have done in their 20-year history.”
Clearly, the demand for help and support is growing.
Finding Purpose—and a Paycheck
Getting hired after 50 isn’t just about money. For many, it’s also about meaning. “If you can find work with purpose, that’s the linchpin to help you age a little better,” said Lem Lloyd, founder of LongevityWorkers, a new hiring platform focused on older workers.
Unfortunately, many employers still believe older workers are too old to hire. According to the Transamerica Institute, some employers see 58 as the age cutoff. And in a recent AARP survey, nearly three out of four Americans over 50 believed their age would be seen as a drawback by hiring managers.
While age bias may be slowly declining, progress feels glacial. As Catherine Collinson from the Transamerica Institute put it, “It sometimes feels like glaciers are melting faster.”
New Tools and Communities Are Stepping In
Thankfully, several organizations are stepping up to provide guidance and build communities specifically for older job seekers. Groups like Age Friendly Ventures, Changing the Narrative, the Age Equity Alliance, and the Encore Network are pushing back against ageism. They’re showing that experience and reliability are assets—not liabilities.
A new group called OpenWater recently launched a network of accomplished older professionals. Its tagline: “We’re building a community where your wisdom matters.” Members, mostly from tech, meet both online and in person to help each other find jobs, improve skills, and connect socially. To join, you must be approved or referred by a member, and membership costs $495 annually or $49 a month. They aim to have 1,000 members by the end of 2025 and 30,000 within a decade.
The group’s founder, Paul Walborsky, said OpenWater wants to make older professionals more visible and easier to find for hiring managers. They plan to launch a service that creates polished AI-generated profiles to showcase members’ skills and make them easier to discover.
While some career experts applaud OpenWater’s community-building approach, others worry that it may be too exclusive and too expensive for those who truly need help. Career coach Marc Miller pointed out that those who need help the most often aren’t former executives or tech leaders.
Janine Vanderburg, founder of the anti-ageism campaign Changing the Narrative, agrees that the concept is important, but the cost could be a barrier. “If you haven’t worked for a year and all of a sudden you’re worried about your savings, $500 can seem like a really big deal,” she said. Vanderburg plans to start training people within the Encore Network to help others find work and teach employers how valuable experienced workers can be.
Meanwhile, LongevityWorkers is preparing to launch in mid-2025. Their approach will be broader, supporting job seekers from all industries and income levels. The community will offer localized hiring resources, peer-to-peer support, and tailored job training. Founder Lem Lloyd hopes the platform’s cost can be covered by health insurers, Medicare Advantage plans, or financial service firms.
Advice for Job Seekers Over 50
If you’re over 50 and job hunting, here are a few tips from career experts:
- Network wisely. Most jobs aren’t filled by blindly submitting resumes. Kerry Hannon, author of In Control at 50+, says, “Networking is one letter away from not working.” Referrals make a big difference. A Jobvite survey found that referred candidates are hired at nearly four times the rate of non-referred applicants.
- Watch out for ghost jobs. Some job postings are “ghost jobs” that employers don’t actually intend to fill. These listings might stay online indefinitely and may not even appear on the company’s official site. Don’t waste time on these. Focus on real opportunities.
- Be selective. Don’t send out hundreds of applications. Pick 10–15 companies whose mission speaks to you, and where your experience would be an asset.
- Stay confident. Believe in your worth. “Don’t be stuck in a moment, like Bono sings,” said Hannon. Stay open-minded and show your energy and passion.
Final Thoughts
Ageism may still exist, but older workers bring something younger applicants often can’t: experience, dedication, and perspective. Whether you’re looking to stay active, earn money, or feel a sense of purpose, there are new platforms and resources built just for you.
The road might not be easy, but with the right tools, a smart strategy, and some support, finding meaningful work after 50 is more than possible—it’s happening every day.
