What Every Mid-Career Woman Needs To Know About Finding a Job
You can't control government policy or corporate hiring, but you can control your search strategy.
It's rough out there. Over a million jobs have been cut in the U.S. this year, and mid-career women have been hit especially hard. Whether you've been laid off recently or the idea of being laid off is keeping you up at night, you're not alone. It might feel like every headwind is working against you, but there are material ways to pick yourself back up rebuild your confidence, and move toward your next role.
It makes sense to feel anxious, but fixating on grim headlines about layoffs and a possible impending recession won't get you closer to your next job. You can't control government policy or corporate hiring, but you can control your search strategy.
Here are four things mid-career women should keep in mind about the labor market right now:
Stop Hiding
Visibility is your best bet against ageism (real or assumed)
When you're over 40, rejection can start to feel like a criticism of your age. Sometimes it is. If someone assumes you're slow, dated, or inflexible because of your age, it's discrimination. But when a company simply can't afford the salary level your experience commands, that's just budget math. It can look and feel the same, but the forces behind it are different—and neither one is in your control. But you're not powerless.
For starters, show evidence that you're current. Highlight recent technologies, certifications, or projects in your resume. Emphasize your flexibility, curiosity, and passion in your cover letter. Focus on the most recent 5-10 years of professional experience, not to hide your age, but to emphasize what's most relevant to the hiring team.
Whatever you do, don't disappear. Visibility is your best tool in the fight against ageism, but many mid-career women take themselves out of the spotlight precisely when visibility matters most. Keep your LinkedIn active and up to date. Get involved with professional associations. Most importantly, don't let your network forget about you.
Kathleen Davis
Network authentically and often
Go get a coffee with someone you know, you’re not bothering anyone
Many women struggle with networking. No one wants to feel like they're begging for attention or imposing on someone. Talking about your skills and goals can stir every insecurity about whether you're good enough. If you've been socialized not to brag, not to bother anyone, and not to take up too much space your whole life—as so many of us have—suddenly needing to do all three is a nightmare.
You can't control whether someone replies to your email, takes your call, or passes your resume along. You can't control how generous or connected they are. But you can control how clearly you introduce yourself, how prepared you are for each conversation, how warmly and confidently you engage once you're in the room. You can show curiosity about their work, make your requests specific, and follow up with gratitude and momentum. That's what makes networking feel authentic.
Think of networking as a skill. The more you do it, the easier it gets, and the less emotional energy it costs. Every attempt shortens the distance between you and your next role. In a market where hundreds of qualified people are standing at the front door, networking gets you access to the side door. The more you put yourself out there, the more likely you are to find the person who holds the key you need.
Emma Haslett
Perfect is the enemy of good
Your “good enough” application is very likely good enough
Fewer openings, more applicants, and that horrible label on LinkedIn telling you "hundreds of people applied for this job." It's easy to let the competitive environment be a sign that you shouldn't bother applying. But competition has always existed. There have always been other applicants with strong resumes, good timing, or close connections. While higher competition changes your odds, you can only get the job if you shoot your shot.
Apply, but don't burn yourself out. A lot of job seekers swing between extremes: flooding the market with rushed applications or spending hours agonizing over each application. Neither approach is sustainable, so aim for a middle ground that balances efficiency and quality.
Focus on learning what a "good enough" application looks like for your search. Most people have no idea where that line is, but you don't have to guess. Talk to someone who's seen both sides of hiring, like a career coach, a mentor, or a manager in your professional network. Ask what makes an application stand out and what mistakes they see most often. A few insightful conversations can save you months of spinning your wheels.
Once you know what "good enough" looks like, build systems that make it repeatable. Create a resume template, a cover-letter framework, and a checklist for tailoring your materials to the job description. If you choose to set daily or weekly targets for your search, make sure they're realistic and sustainable for the time and energy you have right now.
Josie Cox
Consider saying yes for now
It’s not your dream job, but it’s a job, and maybe you should take it.
In a market this challenging, many professionals are broadening their search parameters. A temporary compromise—a job that simply pays the bills and gets you out of unemployment can be a sound strategic move. It buys you time, income, and breathing room until your target job is in reach. Your "good enough for now" job creates a runway you can use to position yourself for your target job more proactively.
While it’s not usually the best idea to apply for a job you're overqualified for because hiring managers are likely to be skeptical of your intentions, there are other options to gain employment during a time of transition.
A bridge job can make sense when the market is tight, when your ideal job feels out of reach, or when a big career pivot needs to happen in stages. It might be a lateral move, a contract role, consulting gigs, or a full-time role that uses your skills in a new industry, sector, or setting. The key is to choose a job that leaves you enough time and energy to execute a plan to find your dream job. If you're building new skills, creating portfolio pieces, and expanding your network, you’ll be ready for the next jump, and the “bridge” will actually lead somewhere.
The fundamentals of getting a job don't change when the market gets tough:
1. Develop a resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile that represent you well.
2. Choose your job targets thoughtfully. Apply with intention and clarity about why you want the job and why your experience sets you up for success. Don’t waste your time on jobs for which you’re overqualified, a hiring manager will be skeptical.
3. Broaden, deepen, and activate your network by sending at least one outreach message per week–more if you space on your calendar for conversations.
4. Prep for interviews so your answers are focused, compelling, and memorable. Remember to highlight your most recent and relevant skills.
You can't control the layoffs or the competition. You can control how you move through this chapter to your next.
