I'm 55 and have applied to over 300 jobs. I never expected my 32 years of experience to work against me.

Leslie Sonnenklar says she has adjusted her expectations after applying to over 300 jobs since her layoff. Jesse Reiser for BI This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Leslie Sonnenklar, a 55-year-old communications and content professional from Phoenix, Arizona. It's been edited for length and clarity. I was laid off in March 2025, and honestly, the job search since then has been one of the most frustrating and defeating experiences of my life. As a professional in my mid-50s, I have more than 32 years of experience in the communications industry. I started my career in 1994 as a marketing coordinator, owned my own business for 11 years, and most recently served as the director of content and communications at a marketing agency. Over the last 14 months, I've applied for over 300 jobs.