Laid Off at 65 and Invisible to Employers: I Don't Want to Retire, But Jobs Keep Passing Me By

The job market can be a tough place for anyone, but for Mary Jane Surette, a 65-year-old former senior marketing manager in Boston, the challenges have been compounded by age discrimination. After being laid off from Kohl's earlier this year, Surette has found herself navigating a landscape that feels increasingly hostile to older workers.

Surette, who spent over 40 years in marketing roles at companies like Bose, Gap, and Kohl's, never imagined she'd be facing such difficulty finding work. She's determined to continue her career but has set an arbitrary deadline: if she hasn't landed a new role by August, she'll reluctantly consider retirement.

"It's hard not to believe my age isn't playing a factor," Surette said. "I've had to learn how to handle rejections more gracefully—sometimes it's just about saying thank you and moving on."

Her experiences with job hunting have included several awkward interviews where she felt questions veered into territory that could be considered ageist. Despite these setbacks, she remains convinced of her value as a candidate. In fact, she argues that her experience and stability make her an asset to potential employers.

"I'm willing to take a salary cut because I understand what I bring to the table," she explained. "I'm not looking to replace anyone's position. I offer stability, expertise, and no need for maternity leave. I think I provide more value than younger candidates might."

Surette is actively working with a career coach and continues to apply for positions, even though she's noticed a lack of visibility for women her age on professional platforms like LinkedIn.

"I don't see many women my age posting or looking for jobs," she noted. "We're invisible, and we've chosen to remain that way."

Despite the challenges, Surette maintains a positive outlook. She wants to keep working not just for financial reasons, but because she enjoys mentoring younger professionals and believes she still has much to contribute.

"My gray hair is earned, and I wear it proudly," she stated firmly. "I wouldn't want to work for a company that hires me based on something as superficial as hair color."

If she does retire, it won't be by choice. Her original plan was to work until 70 to maximize Social Security benefits. Now, faced with an uncertain job market, she finds herself contemplating a future she never anticipated.

For those going through similar situations, Surette offers words of encouragement: "Keep applying, keep believing in your worth, and don't let rejection define you."