I have a Loyal Reader (hi Glaiza!) who asked me about how to get hired at 40. She had taken a break from employment and now wants to go back to the corporate world. It's not impossible since my husband and I (as well as millions of middle-aged people all over the world!) are still employable. I will admit that it is harder to look for a job in this decade. So you need to be smarter.
So, Glaiza, thank you for reading Topaz Horizon all these years and thank you for asking me for advice. I don’t take that lightly. I want to start by saying this clearly: taking a break for your family and your health is not a career setback. It’s a brave, values-driven decision. And now, you’re stepping forward again with intention. That’s admirable!
You’re not alone in wondering about a career change at 40. I’ve received similar messages before, and I want to say it loudly: Yes, it’s possible to get hired at 40, 50, even 60! But you need to know your worth and know how to present it.
Here are some tips I hope will encourage you and other women (especially moms!) reentering the workforce at midlife:
1. Reframe the narrative: You’re not “Starting Over”; you’re leveling up!
It’s easy to feel like you're behind because of the career gap. Believe me, I was petrified. My last real employment ended in 2012, and here I was 10 years later, looking for work. So I made a big deal about starting my own business, conducting workshops, giving talks, and writing and editing for clients all over the world. I refuse to see the 10 years I devoted to me kids as a setback when motherhood made me a better human being, manager, more efficient with my processes, and ruthless with time management! I gained valuable skills and I was going to bank on that experience to get a job.
So look at what you’ve done during your break. You were attending webinars, doing volunteer work, and accepting speaking engagements. That’s not a gap. That’s growth! Include these in your resume and LinkedIn profile under a section called Professional Development & Community Engagement. Employers respect people who invest in their learning and give back.
2. Tailor your resume with confidence.
Even when I said I was 46, many company HR people still asked, "What was your college degree and how does it apply to the position?" I really hated that question because college was 20 years ago! At 40, you don’t need to bandy about your diploma and squeeze in your entire job history. Instead, create a targeted resume that highlights skills and accomplishments relevant to the roles you're now applying for. That's what I did! I made several variations of my CV — one for writing and editing jobs, one for PR and marketing jobs, one for managerial jobs — each one highlighting the skills the position required. You can do the same! Use strong, active language and results-oriented descriptions. Your experience, both in previous employment and when you were "taking a break" is a strength. Make sure it shines.
3. Practice your story and own it!
Our society does a great job of putting down unemployed people. Like those 10 years I was unemployed? I was making more money than I've ever had in my entire career and I was more influential, and yet people still had the audacity to ask, "But when are you getting a job?"
(If I had my way, I'd go back to that arrangement. Insert wistful emoji here. But my kids' education is expensive so we need to have a regular income.)
Anyway! You might be asked, “What have you been doing since 2023?” This isn’t a trap. It’s your chance to shine. Practice a short, powerful story:
“I took a step back to focus on my family [don't mention your health condition]. During that time, I stayed active professionally by attending industry seminars, volunteering at a nonprofit, and even speaking at events. Now, I’m reentering the workforce with renewed energy and a strong sense of purpose. I'd like to explore how your company and I can work together towards that.” Doesn't that sound amazing?
4. Update your online presence.
Recruiters will Google you. Your potential boss and teammates will do the same. Update your LinkedIn profile. And even if HR people everywhere say that you shouldn't include a picture, in the Philippines, they like pictures. But make sure your photo looks like you! Post occasionally about your learning journey or share insights from the seminars you attended. It shows you’re engaged and current.
5. Be strategic with applications.
At 40, you don’t need to send your resume to 100 companies. Yes, the more you apply to, the more chances you'll get a bite. But we're in our 40s! We don't have time anymore! So focus on quality, not quantity. Look for companies that value diversity, equity, and inclusion. Many are actively looking for experienced professionals, especially women who bring wisdom, stability, and leadership.
6. Don’t hide your age.
Age isn’t the enemy. Invisibility is. Use your cover letter and job interviews to make your value visible. Mention your years of experience not as a number but as proof of your resilience, adaptability, and depth. These are things no 22-year-old graduate can match.
8. Build a support network.
Whether through LinkedIn, old colleagues, or career support groups, surround yourself with people who are also in the job-hunting season. It makes a huge difference to hear others say, “You’re not too old. You’re right on time.”
Also, don't be shy or ashamed to let people know you're looking for a job. Many companies prefer referrals. In fact, when I was 4 months into looking for a job and getting rejection after rejection, I finally took my head out of my ass and announced on Facebook, "Help me!" Haha something like that. And my inbox was full of referrals after! And that's how I got my job now!
Glaiza, if you're in despair about how to get hired at 40, stop that right now! Your age is not a liability. It’s a superpower. You bring emotional intelligence, clarity, perspective, and a renewed commitment to meaningful work. Any organization would be lucky to have someone who’s done the work (both personally and professionally!) to become who you are now.
Keep your head up, Glaiza! Prayed for you! You got this!
