Men 40s & 50s - Midlife Ageism, Redundancy & Identity

Are we talking enough about the challenges men face in the workplace as they get older? There has, quite rightly, been much more conversation in recent years about the challenges women can face in midlife from returning to work after career breaks to ageism and the difficulties of remaining visible and valued as careers progress. But I wonder whether we are talking enough about the fact that men can face many of these challenges too. I have seen how difficult the job market can become for experienced professionals who unexpectedly find themselves looking for a new role in their 40s and 50s. After 20 or 30 years of building a successful career, what happens when experience, something that should be an asset, starts to feel like a barrier? Are employers increasingly prioritising younger talent? Is there an unconscious assumption that someone more experienced will be too expensive, less adaptable or less willing to start again? And perhaps most importantly, what does this experience do to someone personally when so much of their identity has been tied to their career? I’d like to explore this on an upcoming episode of "Beyond the Balance Sheet". I’m particularly interested in speaking with men in their 40s and 50s who have experienced redundancy, a prolonged job search, or simply found that the employment market feels very different at this stage of their career. I’d like this to be an open and honest conversation not only about finding another job, but about confidence, identity, family, finances and what it feels like to start again. If this resonates with you, or you know someone who might be willing to share their story, I’d really like to hear from you. Please feel free to message me privately. It feels like an important conversation to have. #BeyondTheBalanceSheet #Careers #JobHunting #Ageism #Midlife #Leadership #Finance #Investing