Ageism: Real or Imagined?

Recently, I onboarded a new client into my Career Strategies program, a highly accomplished C-level executive. Let's call him Marco. With over 30 years of experience, Marco has built a career that many only dream of, with compensation in the half-million euro range. But what struck me most wasn’t his impressive CV—it was his biggest fear: his age.

Like many other highly competent professionals, Marco harbored concerns that often stem more from perception than reality. Yes, ageism is real, but sometimes we adopt beliefs that don’t necessarily reflect our actual circumstances. For example, Marco had heard from a relative that job hunting becomes significantly harder after 45. He immediately assumed that this would be true for him as well, especially as he approaches 57.

During our conversation, I asked him a simple but powerful question: "Have you ever personally experienced age-related discrimination in your career?" After thinking for a moment, he realized that he hadn’t. So, I encouraged him to shift his perspective: "Until you hear this from a potential employer, let’s focus on the fact that you’re actually part of a very privileged segment of the global population—a white European male with prestigious degrees. Wouldn’t you agree?"

Marco soon realized that this belief about age being a barrier wasn’t really his own reality. It wasn’t fair to burden himself with a concern that hadn’t materialized in his experience.

So, here’s a question for you: Is your age truly what’s holding you back from re-entering the job market, or have you been assuming an obstacle that hasn’t actually shown up?

If this resonates with you and you’re ready to redefine your career without letting age-related myths hold you back, let’s talk. My Career Strategies Program is designed to help you shift your mindset, craft a powerful strategy, and navigate the challenges of today’s job market with confidence.

Message me to learn more or to schedule a discovery call. Let’s work together to transform those limiting beliefs into new opportunities.

Let’s rock.

Fabiana