‘It’s like playing the lottery’: A 55-year-old man has applied for 1,000 jobs in the last year with zero success — blames ageism, intense competition in the US job market. Do you agree?

Are these three issues making it impossible to find work?

According to Tetpon, there are three reasons he hasn't been able to secure a new position.

The first is a lack of jobs in his industry. Tetpon described corporate communications as a very competitive field, with hundreds applying for open positions. He also claims concerns about the economy and upcoming elections have made companies more reluctant to hire in this climate — with ageism being a contributing factor.

"A lot of companies look at somebody like me with 25 years of experience in the six-figure range, and they have to weigh that against somebody much younger, maybe even recently out of college, who could come in at a much lower range," Tetpon told Business Insider.

He speculates job-search burnout is a third issue. Getting caught in a repetitive cycle of job applications can easily cloud his ability to think of more creative methods of finding job opportunities, like networking. Plus, it prevents him from considering roles slightly outside of his wheelhouse and spending more time on applications to set them apart from the rest.

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What should Tetpon — and others — do in this situation?

First, it's worth looking at whether Tetpon's three potential reasons really are the cause of his employment struggles.

Of course, there's no way of knowing for sure why a particular company won't hire someone. But, it's worth noting that a study featured in the National Bureau of Economic Research found job candidates over 40 can be between 40% and 68% less likely to get a job offer. Since Tetpon is well past that milestone, he may very well be struggling due to a widespread preference for younger, cheaper employees — despite laws against age discrimination.

Tetpon also described the overall job market as tough, which isn't necessarily the case. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported unemployment was at 4.1% as of September 2024, and an "efficient" unemployment rate is typically between 3% and 5%. That means the job market could actually be more competitive.

Of course, opportunities do differ by industry and Tetpon said jobs in corporate communication are difficult to come by. However, while that may be his experience, Bureau of Labor Statistics data show the media and communications field is projected to grow around as fast as the average for all occupations, with an estimated 109,500 openings projected each year.

Now, media and communications is a broader field than just corporate communications alone, so it may be worth Tetpon exploring a wider variety of opportunities within this industry for which his skills might make him a good fit.

In fact, for anyone struggling with a job search, broadening your range of potential jobs may be one solution worth considering. The wider the net you cast, the more opportunities could come your way — and many career coaches recommend applying for positions even if you don't necessarily meet every listed requirement, as long as you have transferable skills.

How to find work when you're struggling

Outside of expanding your job search, other techniques for finding work include:

• Leveraging personal connections and building networks by becoming more active on LinkedIn or with local professional groups. This can also help you showcase your experience with technology, which can make companies less reluctant to hire an older worker.
• Optimizing your resume and removing information that reveals your age, like graduation years.
• Marketing yourself as a mentor and turning your age and experience into an advantage by highlighting ways in which you could help younger workers grow professionally. AARP research found 77% of younger workers value older colleagues as teachers, so emphasizing ways you've connected with younger staff in the past can be a huge plus.

While it can be frustrating to be turned down for hundreds or even thousands of jobs, taking these steps could potentially help you find that great new career later in life that helps you continue to enjoy a rewarding professional life while preparing for a financially secure retirement.