How to Handle a Layoff As an Older Employee

Layoffs can be hard on older workers because they often have not looked for work in a long time. Older workers also face assumptions like them being technologically inept or too expensive. But they can leverage their years of experience to show they are quick learners with broad skill sets.?

By Lora Korpar

Layoffs are difficult for everyone, but older employees could have more trouble bouncing back in these uncertain times.

Tens of thousands of workers have been laid off just in the past few months. And as concerns about more layoffs and economic hardship mount, the older workforce could face unique challenges.

The pandemic was difficult for older workers’ job security. AARP reported employees over age 55 were 17% more likely to lose their jobs than their younger counterparts during the first six months of the pandemic. The rehire rate of unemployed older adults was also slower.

Ageism also makes maintaining work harder. A ProPublica analysis found that between 1992 and 2016, 56% of employees over 50 were laid off at least once or “leave jobs under such financially damaging circumstances that it’s likely they were pushed out rather than choosing to go voluntarily.”

“A huge concern, especially post-pandemic, has been people who are 40-plus are sensing that their age was a factor with respect to layoffs,” said Adrion Porter, founder of Mid-Career Mastery. “And a lot of times those types of dynamics can't be validated, but in a certain sense, you know it's there. And so I have found that the conversations around that have increased.”

What Are the First Steps Older Employees Should Take After a Layoff?

A layoff is a stressful and sometimes life-altering event, so don’t feel shame in taking time for yourself afterward.

Some older employees have been in the same field, company, and/or job for a decade or more, so a layoff is a huge shift. Bradley Richardson, the founder of Advanced Adulting, said many people make the mistake of “instantly going into the tactical” following a layoff.

“They're thinking, ‘How do I update my resume? Do I get online?’ All of those things,” Richardson said. “And they're important, but the first thing is to determine that this is… an unexpected forced opportunity to reevaluate your expectations from work and what you want to do with the rest of your time.”?

Older workers can often be set in their ways and would not leave to pursue new opportunities without a push.

“I was coaching a woman in her early 60s who had been in the same career and industry for a long time, yet she wants to leave,” Richardson said. “The best thing that could happen for her is for them to let her go because she's never going to leave otherwise, yet all she does is complain about management and pay situations. And so sometimes that forced hand is the biggest blessing that could occur.”

Maybe now is the moment to take some time off to travel or focus on your family if you have savings. Or maybe, this is your opportunity to make a career change. ?

“A lot of times, in this period of your career, this is a moment where you're able to leap into something that may be more meaningful, purpose-driven work for you,” Porter said. “It’s something that you may have always wanted to do. Something you can utilize your assets and your skills [for].”

Decide how to proceed, then formulate a plan. And keep your expectations realistic. Plan for additional education or certifications if you want to change careers. Budget for your living expenses if you plan to take time off.

“I recommend that people have very limited to no expectations,” Richardson said. “The people I coach at midlife tend to have expectations that swing wildly one way or the other. It can be the doom and gloom, of ‘People aren't going to hire because of my age. I'm too expensive. The market sucks.’ All of those things… The other is more of a ‘the way things should look,’ meaning ‘I've done X, they should see these things I've done, and it should work this way,’ but it doesn't. And that creates disappointment.

“So what I recommend does not mean lowering your standards, but it is a matter of having limited expectations positively and negatively — experiencing things for what they are rather than creating a narrative in your head.”

Misconceptions About the Older Workforce

Older workers re-entering the job market face several assumptions that could impede their search.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that older workers are not tech-savvy. However, Porter said older workers still have the “mental agility” to learn how new technology works.

“Older workers may not be able to post 10 TikTok videos in five minutes, but they can learn to do that because one of the things that experienced workers have is the ability to learn, to discern, and to make sure they know how to move forward,” Porter said.

Another is that older workers are “too expensive” because of their years of experience. However, the ProPublica data showed that only one in 10 older laid-off workers made the same amount at their next job that they did before, so many people are willing to take a pay cut.

“When I [worked as a recruiter], I saw money's always important, but money's not always the main thing,” Richardson said. “We have these expectations or narratives… that they're going to be way too expensive. Well, maybe they don't have to take on as much as they've always done. Maybe they'll take a part-time or contractor situation. So, I think it’s about looking at the flexible nature of things instead of putting the employer and candidate in a box.”

How to Succeed in the Job Search As an Older Employee

Re-entering the job search requires updating the information you probably haven’t looked at in a while. This includes polishing your resume and writing cover letters.?

Older workers also have the advantage of meeting many people in their industry over the years. Contact these people to build your network.

“Take a step back and look at your skill set, your portfolio, and reach out to your relationships,” Porter said. “[Use] the power of community to start that outreach and start amplifying that ‘I am available, but I am a serious, seasoned, experienced individual who has a lot to offer.’”

Take advantage of how much experience you have. Use your resume to outline how those experiences taught you new skills.

“For the next job you try to attain, you have to be able to craft your story,” Porter said. “And the way you do that is to start connecting the dots of your past to your present and make sure that story amplifies your skills. What are some of those human skills that you've been able to develop over the years — whether it's relationship-building or problem-solving? Start writing and practicing your story… Make sure that it says you are seasoned, you're skilled, and you're great with people.”

Your mindset is also a huge factor in the job search. You might no longer be tied to the same goals younger professionals value, like upward movement and receiving the highest possible salary.

“Before you jump into that, really evaluate, ‘I am at a crossroads here and maybe I don't want to continue down that same path,’” Richardson said. “‘I could work for a different type of organization in a different field, or take less money to do something that I truly enjoy, be with people that I enjoy, or do something where I can learn and grow in a different way.’”

Your experience can make you a great mentor, but you can also learn from younger co-workers.

“There's power in mutual mentorship, in learning from younger talent. As an older professional, you can learn a lot,” Porter said. “And I think with that power of community and that kind of mutual cross-mentorship put you in a better position to succeed.”

Top Takeaways

Responding to a Layoff As an Older Employee

• Older employees should view layoffs as an opportunity to make a change they might not have otherwise made.
• Older workers might face biases in the job search, like the misconceptions that they are not tech-savvy or are too expensive.
• Leverage your years of experience and what you learned in that time to stand out in the job search.
• You have likely met a lot of people in your years in the workforce, so lean on them after a layoff.
• Teaching younger co-workers and letting them teach you shows you are open to learning and growing.