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What makes a toxic work environment?
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Holla!!! I’m amazed that things are going really well! I remember about 5 years ago, there was a thread on Agency Spy where people were hitting their mid 40’s and freaking the fuck out because they were all sure they/we would soon age out of the business. Everyone was talking about how to get our before we were forced out of this youth obsessed industry. Well then something unexpected happened...tech companies in particular started building in house agencies. And they are definitely NOT youth obsessed. They’re experience obsessed. In the past few years, I’ve been busy as hell with my freelance life. More than once, my age has actually been pointed out as a crucial benefit. Recently, the head of production at a HUGE tech company told me he needed “a grown up” on his team. And he didn’t blink at my day rate. This is the trend I’m seeing and I couldn’t be happier.
Call me the grown up. Call me the babysitter. Just CALL ME...and pay me what I’m worth.
I haven’t noticed a big change on the agency side, but even there, my age hasn’t become the liability I feared it would just a few years ago. They’ll catch up fully in the next couple of years. They’re already losing valuable projects to these in house agencies. When they realize they’re also losing valuable talent as well, they’ll stop trading seasoned and expensive for eager and cheap.
In short, things in the biz are going very well these days...and I expect them to get better. 50 is the new baller. You heard it here. 🙌🏼
Oh, and on the pragmatic side, it helps to look younger than you are. And flaunt your hard won sense of personal style, whatever it is. It’s something the kids cannot buy. This is not the time to get TOO comfortable in your own skin. After 50, we have to work a bit harder on our personal presentation. Moisturize like it’s your freaking JOB, get Botox if necessary (but I recommend The Ordinary instead), and keep ‘em guessing.
Do NOT lie about your age; it’s a sign of the worst kind of weakness. Just keep it fresh and timeless. That way, younger colleagues can look at you and say “goals” instead of “cautionary tale”. That’s all I’ve got. Thanks for asking!
and how have you kept from being pushed out? im in my 40s and can barely get an interview. recruiters wont touch me because im over qualified. ive dropped my salary to 1/2 of what i used to make and still cant get interviews. i see my past male coworkers, with the same awards and caliber of portfolio, making bank. how do we prevent this push out that seems to happen to women as the industry leaders become younger: white men in their late 20s/early 30s and they are getting younger each year?
Ladies, I don’t even know how you do it. I’m early/mid 30s and have already noticed that my agency career isn’t going to survive another 10 years. Where do all of the older women go??
I’m a survivor at 51 and am at a small woman owned boutique shop. I had a tough time in my last job search. Like Director 1, I feel like you are invisible after 50. Had an HR recruiter at a big holding company tell a friend of mine who work there that she wouldn’t interview me because they want to hire “people who are younger”. Yes - a SHE said this and she’s in HR. It’s horrible
Mid 40s and feeling invisible for sure. Add to that single and also invisible. Sorry, this just got really depressing.
Not there yet, but close. Been thinking about this a lot lately and willing to bet my next job won’t be in this realm. I’m already noticing I’m becoming invisible.
Botox and adjust resume by not including years ... though LinkedIn screws you w that.
It’s really challenging being a creative over age 50 in a traditional agency environment .Hiring managers at agencies generally ignore emails and check ins. Being a Producer is very different because clients and agencies want grownups to deal with money and logistics. I would suggest that you need to find your own clients who respect your experience. Forget about women in lead roles. Ageism is worse that anyone admits.
Completely agree that ageism is horrible for women. You are sort of treated like you’re dead..but you have so much to offer. Then they use money as an excuse - “our salary range isn’t that high” blah blah blah.
Freelancing seems to be the only option these days. Anyone here the same?
Why do you assume these folks don’t work insane schedules or that they have a partner? Or if they do, that their partner helps manage personal life?
Not great. No raise/promo because I can’t afford to threaten to leave like my Millennial counterparts
:( :( :(
all of this is hard to do when you are working 80hrs a week and have no partner to help manage personal life. many of the suggestions reek of privilege.
because many of the suggestions involve significant time & money