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Oh the truth...

Not a meme but…

Whats your salary based on experience?
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Anomaly NYC? Thoughts? Average AE salary?
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Don’t tell people your age, take graduation years and anything super telling off your resume or LinkedIn. Find an agency with others like you - they exist just sometimes not in the NYC and LA markets. Are you open to freelance? That seems to be a great option that gives flexibility and more $$$. Also since you’ve had a fulfilling career, I’m sure you’ve met a lot of great people you can utilize in your network to help start freelance work. I’d start with old bosses and producers.
Chief
👆
I’m 63 and freelance has been great for me.
I think it’s tough for anyone to get a job right now. And I suspect it’s even tougher because of the agist perceptions.
That said, if you’ve got a strong book and sell yourself well, you might be the solution to someone’s problem. After all, we can’t hire senior people so people with lower titles are being asked to do senior roles. Your ACD title isn’t so senior for someone with your experience. So you might be that sweet spot of experienced and affordable. All depends on how you position yourself.
To emphasize what ECD1 says, try to discover what problems someone is facing in their current roles when you speak to them. Become someone who solves problems. Do this for free w/o expecting a favor in return. Don’t overdue it. Throw some ideas in an email. Send an article that might be of interest their way. Stuff like that. Be genuine. Talk yo everyone. Keep these people in your network. Check back from time to time. Continue this for the rest of your career. And… just know-the market is tough right now for 20 year olds AND 60 year olds. You could consider teaching at a local community college too. Often, the curriculum is already spelled out for you.
I wouldn’t go as far a calling anyone in HR a “professional”. They’re clueless hacks. I’m coming up on the 50 and come across the same issues. Personally I’m gearing up to team up with other great creatives and start up my own gig. That’s the only way forward as we get older. You got this. Hang in there, don’t quit - go bigger and make the most amazing things you can! Show those years of experience!
It is extremely tough out there right now. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the job market this rough and it includes the market crash of 2010.
Rising Star
Rely on your network getting you in than a 20 something recruiter who doesn’t know much yet