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The job market for older people

Kate Kestrel

Hi - I have a cousin (whose nearly 60 years old) who has had the same job for 30 odd years. They’re now wanting to move area to another part of the country to be near their daughter as she’s having a baby (plus they feel like a change anyway). He’s got many autistic traits but not diagnosed. His job has not been ‘highly skilled’ - so he’s not looking for ‘professional’ level jobs. My question to anyone who might have insight into this is: how easy is it these days to find a job when you’re in your late 50s or early 60s? I’m a bit concerned that he’s taking an enormous risk to move to an area and leave the secure job he already has now. I’ve always thought that employers don’t like to employ older people - but maybe I’m wrong? 
He’s asked me what I think but I don’t feel equipped to offer good advice as it’s been ages since I was applying for jobs, and when I did I was lots younger than he is. 
Can anyone offer any advice? Thanks! 

Parents
  • Kate Kestrel said:
    I’ve always thought that employers don’t like to employ older people - but maybe I’m wrong?

    My experience of the job market as someone aged 50 and over was that there is a lot of ageism present. As you get older it gets worse (Im 58 now) so unless you have a specialism that is in short supply or are in a more senior management role then it is much harder than it should be.

    For lower skilled jobs then the lower levels of stamina and willingness to be messed about are often factors employers will consider so you are likely to need to have an engaging personality to overcome this.

    Being sociable and meeting people is a good way to find out about opportunities but if the person is autistic then this can often be something we find really hard.

    They could consider early retirement if they have built up enough pension contributions to do so or could look for roles in their area of special interests.

    Are they physically fit enough to be, say a gardner? This can be a good role for autists as there is low people contact typically and the work is fairly seasonal so you get time in the winter to recharge.

    Knowing what the person has done in the past for work and their interests plus triggers will be the key things to help us offer more targetted suggestions.

  • in reply to Iain

    Than you Iain - that’s really helpful. His job has involved dealing with the public - but at the same time I wouldn’t say he’s ’sociable’! He’s worked for the local council and it’s a good stable job - which is a big thing to give up in my opinion. At the same time I feel that (this is how I am anyway) it’s so easy to always do what’s safe because change can be so scary. I’ve done this in my life - and often thought it was a mistake. But who knows? I don’t want to see him throw something reliable away and end up stressed out and broke. He’s very vulnerable in some ways. 

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  • in reply to Iain

    Than you Iain - that’s really helpful. His job has involved dealing with the public - but at the same time I wouldn’t say he’s ’sociable’! He’s worked for the local council and it’s a good stable job - which is a big thing to give up in my opinion. At the same time I feel that (this is how I am anyway) it’s so easy to always do what’s safe because change can be so scary. I’ve done this in my life - and often thought it was a mistake. But who knows? I don’t want to see him throw something reliable away and end up stressed out and broke. He’s very vulnerable in some ways. 

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