Trying to Get a Job at 52 Is Hard; Trying to Look Younger, Hide Grays

When the email hit my inbox, my heart raced.

The company’s cofounders announced they’d made the difficult decision to lay off about 20% of its workforce and restructure the organization. Those impacted would know in the next hour or so.

For a moment, I assured myself that my role would be just fine.

This was one of the most innovative, AI-forward tech companies in Silicon Valley — I’d been here for several years and had recently been promoted after spending the past 12 months learning everything I could about AI. I’d incorporated it into my everyday workflow, leveled up my skills, and even created an AI playbook for my team.

But by the time I received my parting email and the screen on my company computer went black, panic had set in. Who would want to hire a 52-year-old like me when they could just pair up a well-built AI agent with a young intern?

Before even starting the job hunt, I worried my age could hold me back

For the past few months, I’d been seeing a lot of reports of tech companies laying off workers (many attributing the reductions to AI) and stories about how the job market is becoming oversaturated with my skill set.

I’d also read many accounts from workers in their 50s and older who were struggling to find jobs, too.

Having worked in talent acquisition, I also know firsthand that younger, fresher talent can be prioritized and viewed as innovative, while some older candidates get passed over because they are “overqualified.”

Sometimes that’s really just code for, “I’m worried they will be out of touch, not moldable, not tech-savvy enough, and not a ‘culture fit.'”

The stigma surrounding workers of my generation is real — some depict us as burned-out, overworked employees who are difficult to manage and are merely looking for a paycheck while mapping out our exit strategy for retirement.

There are so many young, talented professionals out there, and I realize I may not be evaluated solely on my skills as I enter the job market. I know my experience is valuable, but I’m definitely worried my age, over 50, might hold me back.

So, before I updated my résumé, I felt I needed to update my face, hair, makeup, nails, jewelry, and wardrobe. I wanted to appear younger and bring that energy hiring teams are looking for.

I had already been on a self-care journey when I got laid off, so I knew exactly what I needed to do — now, I needed to level up and maintain it.

I’ve been upgrading my wardrobe and enhancing my appearance to appear more youthful and energized

In my experience, many women my age are growing out their grays and cutting their hair shorter. So, first, I focused on blending my grays into my brown hair — I’ve had luck using Overtone’s temporary color-depositing hair mask — and getting long hair extensions.

I also started doing red-light therapy on my scalp to hopefully boost hair growth and further hide my thinning hair.

A smile tells a story, and aging teeth can become crooked and yellow over time, especially if not properly cared for. So, I started to keep up with wearing my Invisalign and whitening my teeth.

I wanted to achieve a natural, younger look with skincare and makeup products, too. No Botox or facelifts for me.

My new routine starts with double cleansing, followed by multiple applications of moisture-rich toners as part of a popular (and divisive) Korean method called “skin flooding.” Some of my go-to products are from Korean skincare brands, like Mixsoon, Anua, d’Alba, Dr. Melaxin, and Medicube.

I began regularly using exfoliants to remove dead skin and tretinoin to help reduce dark spots. I’ve also been applying serums infused with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalene, and vitamin C to try to hydrate and brighten my skin.

I switched up my makeup bag to focus on products designed to help diminish fine lines, from pore-diffusing primers to skin-plumping setting sprays with dewy finishes.

My routine began to include lip-plumping serums, glosses, and liners so I could achieve a more pouty, youthful look. I also got lash extensions to enhance my eyes and hopefully make me seem more awake.

Fortunately, there are so many beauty brands out there with products catered to mature skin, which makes it easier for people my age to achieve these kinds of looks. Some of my favorites are Sacheu, Tarte Cosmetics, Bare Minerals, Laura Geller, Clarins, Laura Mercier, Buxom, Charlotte Tilbury, POV, and Anastasia Beverly Hills.

My wardrobe needed some updating, too, as I had been working from home for almost seven years and only going into the office once a week.

With many potential employers hiring for hybrid or in-person roles, I knew my company-branded T-shirt, hoodie, and Chucks were not going to cut it.

I’ve already picked up some modern, well-structured pieces to interview in and practiced styling them with dainty modern jewelry.

I’m confident in my skills as a worker — I just need to convince hiring managers to give a 52-year-old like me a chance

For me, youthfulness starts from the inside; it’s a holistic approach of body, mind, and soul.

Beauty routines aside, I start each day by journaling and praying, taking my antiaging supplements, eating high-protein meals, and doing at least 30 minutes of cardio a day. I also do weightlifting three or four times a week and take a weekly GLP-1 shot.

I know all of these routines seem daunting, but if I am going to survive the hiring process, it’s an absolute necessity for me to feel confident in my own skin.

I am a middle-aged Latina with decades of valuable leadership experience in talent acquisition, and I strongly believe in my abilities, skills, and value as a worker.

Now, I’m doing all I can to convince anyone focused on hiring younger talent that I’m a worthy candidate, too, and that I should not be written off because of my age.

As I continue job hunting, I feel ready and confident to show up for any interview, answer any questions, and share my professional accomplishments — hair extensions and all.