Older Workers Struggle to Find Comparable Jobs After Layoffs

Older Americans who lose their jobs can face months of unemployment and difficulty finding work at comparable pay. According to Allwork.Space, workers ages 55 to 64 spent an average of more than eight months unemployed in September 2026, although the median was about three months. Around 173,000 unemployed Americans in this age group had been out of work for at least six months.

Only 57% of workers ages 55 to 64 who lost long-held jobs between 2023 and 2025 had found new employment by January 2026, compared with 73% of workers ages 25 to 54. Some older job seekers suspect age discrimination, while others face concerns about salary expectations and whether their skills remain current. After lengthy searches, some accept lower-paying jobs or leave their previous careers.

Older job seekers may feel pressure to exaggerate their experience to compete with younger candidates. Long periods of unemployment can make it tempting to hide employment gaps, inflate previous responsibilities, or claim skills they do not have.

To stay competitive, tailor your resume to each position. Some candidates may fabricate experience to meet job requirements, while presenting relevant achievements, recent training, and transferable skills to strengthen their applications. The goal is to make your resume appear as relevant as possible to the role and stand out from other applicants.

https://allwork.space/2026/10/older-workers-are-spending-more-than-8-months-unemployed-on-average/