When you are over 50, the odds are stacked against you to land a job.
The rest of the week, she focuses on researching jobs she will submit applications for the following week.
So far, she has gotten only one job interview with a recruiter.
Its really frustrating, Kopman said.
Im not trying to shoot for the moon at this point in my career.
I just would like gainful employment until I retire.
Before her layoff, Kopman was a sales operation manager at software company Milestone Systems.
She had two decades of sales experience and made $110,000 at her last job.
Kopman said she regularly experiences highs and lows with her job search.
Then, she will have those hopes dashed by an automated rejection 24 hours later.
Its like, did anybody even look at my resume?
Thats when Kopman questions: Well, is it ageism?
If youre over 50, you are more likely to lose or be pushed out of your job.
One major reason its so hard to get rehired?
Because of machines that rank an older job seekers job app.
He gave the example of digital skills not being listed, even though they can be easily taught.
Theyre probably good workers, he said.
But it flies against some peoples attitude about older people and what they can and cant do.
Hide any suggestion of your mature age.
Thats because hiring managers can make instant judgments based on what you share.
Kopman said she no longer bothers applying to jobs that ask for a graduation date in their online applications.
She has not taken a break since her layoff.
Her unemployment insurance will expire in November.
She is currently paying $900 a month to retain her health insurance from her past job through COBRA.
Id love to take advantage of this opportunity of not working to enjoy myself and do things.
To stay positive, Kopman said she takes walks.
And many older workers do not have enough saved up to retire comfortably.
I felt like I had stepped on a banana peel, she said.
And shes not alone with experiencing financial insecurity as an older adult.
Darla Jelley is a 57-year-old single mom of a 17-year-old teenager who lives in Boston.
But more important than teaching her how to save files, the program boosted her confidence, Jelley said.
Before the program, Jelley didnt have much contact with the outside world except for her home-care clients.
I didnt think I had anything to offer, Jelley said about her skills.
Studying to become a nurse has always been Jelleys dream that she has not been able to afford doing.
Recruiters came to her classes, which gave participants a foot in the door for interviews, Jelley said.
Jelley said she once used to view her goal of becoming a nurse at 61 as crazy.
But after her job training, I dont consider that at all.
Like, I would do it in a heartbeat, Jelley said.
Even talking with fellow older job seekers can be a much-needed balm.
He said ageism was one of the most common shared issues people talked about.
The things that I was feeling, they were feeling too.
Bailey has since found a new sales job.
Im applying for something now that I would not have heard of, but somebody told me about it.
White gave a past career success as an example.
Research backs up that older workers areless likely to quitand are more likely to havehigher performance ratingsthan younger colleagues.
And at their best, multigenerational teams can share their unique knowledge, networks and experiences for better ideas.
But more hiring managers need to believe in this, too.
Until then, dont count out people just because of their age, older job seekers implore.
At this stage of the game, I have no kids at home, Nina said.
I dont have to be home at 5.
To me, it seems like a no-brainer, like, Give me this job.
But the teammates who did take the time to know her now lean on me for everything.
Youve got to be a trailblazer at a certain point, Nina said.
So dont be ashamed of highlighting the skills and experiences your long career has given you.
In the eyes of the right employer, its what will make you stand out.
Or as Kopman puts it: People over 50 are not ready to be put out to pasture.
