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In reply to the discussion: Unemployable At 50 Fate Of Present And Future Workers [View all]Nikia
(11,411 posts)My former boss and coworker who is more "qualified" than me has been unable to find a job at 55 after being fired 18 months ago. I think that he is limiting himself by staying in our area, but I found work in our field in two months with other interviews pending at the time.
My own father, who is the same age, was forced out of his management position after almost 20 years as a manager in which he had received excellent reviews and won corporate awards. He started receiving less positive reviews two years ago after being diagnosed with prostate cancer and having surgery. Then they cut two positions while increasing business and gave him those responsibilities too to set him up for failing. They did let him continue to work as a "unskilled" laborer with the associated pay cut. I guess that it is better than nothing.
My own company is lead mostly by people in their thirties and forties. There are a few older people, but they are extremely accomplished. I guess that my chance as I get older is to be extremely accomplished. Not everyone can though and even then an illnesses like my father's would probably trump everything.