Hello everyone. I’m approaching 40 but feeling depressed and useless as of late. I was previously in the uniformed organization for more than 10 years. I then took a career break to spend more time with my family and to explore my career options.
During my career break, i upskilled by taking a course in IT as i have interest in this domain. Managed to land a role in IT but coming to 1 year in, i find that it is not suitable for me due to various reasons. As such, i resigned without a job line up.
I have been applying for jobs but only getting non replies and rejections. I’m starting to think that my age and experience hinders me from getting a suitable job. Really feeling lost…
hi @user5368 ,
Thank you for sharing your experience. It sounds like you are going through a challenging time, and it is understandable to feel lost and discouraged given the circumstances.
I must commend you for the courage it took to make significant changes in your career and life. Taking a career break to spend time with family and explore new options is a brave decision, and upskilling in IT shows your willingness to adapt and grow.
It is tough when job applications do not yield the desired results, especially when you feel your age and experience might be working against you. Sometimes it takes time to find the right fit, and persistence is key. I understand how discouraging job hunting can be, and i encourage you to try and maintain a positive mindset, such as doing the things you enjoy and spending time with your family.
You can try networking, as that often leads to opportunities that are not advertised publicly. Networking sessions can be found through mobile apps like Eventbrite.
Keep pushing forward and I wish you all the best! 
hi @user5368 ,
i appreciate you being vulnerable enough to share your experience, and it definitely sounds like a very isolating time for you currently given your career circumstances.
but i think it is really noble of you to take a career break to spend more time with your family as this is an area of our lives that we often take for granted while chasing career-related endeavours. and i believe that your family appreciates this sacrifice that you have made for them as well!
and i think it is even better that you managed to upskill through an IT course during this time as well. looking on the bright side, the current situation with all these rejections could just be a phase given the generally poor job market, and not necessarily a reflection of your competencies or age-related factors. so i hope you don’t take it too personally, but instead find the motivation within you to press on and continue seeking more opportunities as you have been doing.
all the best