I'm 56 and struggling to find a job. I think employers can sense my desperation, but I wish they knew how capable I am.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology, Travel
Kymm Dracup
Kymm Dracup

Chloe Ellingson for BI

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kymm Dracup, a 56-year-old based in Toronto. It's been edited for length and clarity.

My daughter says, "Don't worry, Mom, you'll get a job. I've seen your résumé, you're great." I don't think my daughter realizes the effect that my age, 56, has on my confidence and finding work.

I lost my job, got divorced, and had to move within weeks. I found purpose in building a layoff support tool.

Tech Insider : Business
Amanda Snyder Cathey
Amanda Snyder Cathey built a free layoff support tool.

Stephanie Alvarez Ewens

I got laid off from Meta as a low performer. I wish people told me to budget, downsize, and create a plan immediately.

Tech Insider : Business
Brittney Ball headshot 2
Brittney Ball says it's important to create an action plan immediately after your layoff.

Brittney Ball

Gen Z's AI backlash is getting louder

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
Attorney William Savitt, representing OpenAI, speaks during a news conference outside federal court in Oakland, California, with a sign reading
A protester holds up an anti-AI sign as William Savitt, the attorney representing OpenAI, speaks during a news conference outside federal court.

Bloomberg/Getty Images

My husband was unemployed for 10 months. He finally landed a job when he turned up at an office with a box of doughnuts.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Camilla Richardson and her husband
The author's (right) husband (left) used a unique strategy to get a job.

Courtesy of Camilla Richardson

I lost my flight attendant job when Spirit shut down. I've had to manage my emotions and am hopeful I'll find new work soon.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Julian Richardson in front of Spirit Airlines plane
Julian Richardson says he always knew that Spirit's closure was a possibility.

Julian Richardson

I just landed my first job post-college after 2 years of unemployment. I should be excited, but all I feel is survivor's guilt.

Tech Insider : Business
birds eye view of a man at this work desk
The author just landed his first job post-college.

Maskot/Getty Images

Elon Musk says government checks for all wouldn't spike inflation. Economist Steve Hanke says that's not guaranteed.

Tech Insider : Economy, Economy, Business
Elon Musk in Oval Office
Elon Musk made the case for a "universal high income" that wouldn't cause inflation.

Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

I've been job hunting for 7 months with no success, so I'm at a loss. I'm wondering if going back to school at 45 would help.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy, Technology
a man looking at this laptop and notebook
The author (not pictured) has been unemployed for months.

Nico De Pasquale Photography/Getty Images

I graduated from Stanford and couldn't find a job, so I created my own. I turned it into a six-figure business.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
Ellen Yang in front of a book stand
The author started her own business after struggling to find a full-time job.

Courtesy of Dani Hamlett

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