You’re Not Too Old.The Story You’re Telling Is.

I know the word "old" feels harsh, but unfortunately it is true, ageism, like any bias, unconscious or not, is real and rampant right now.

The Modern Elder Academy says middle age is a "midlife chrysalis" of transformation and a time for purposeful growth, rather than a crisis. In our mid 50s we are in our highest earning potential years, we have loads of wisdom and decades of knowledge to offer, yet it seems impossible to find the right role, right now, with the depth of experience we have to offer?

I talk to so many clients who are feeling it right now. Talented, seasoned professionals who suddenly feel invisible. As if time has passed them by and their constant building up has them stopped in their tracks for what comes next.

These are women who have built teams, turned around businesses, and led with grit and grace. Women who have given it all to a career that they can be proud of, build one block at a time in hopes of a beautiful legacy leaving crescendo at the end. And yet, in today’s market, they’re finding themselves overlooked.

The roles that used to come easily now take months. Recruiters go quiet. Interviews end with, “We went in another direction.”

But it’s not about capability, it's about perception.

For many mid-career and executive women, the challenge isn’t whether you can do the job. It’s whether the world can still see your value.

But here’s the truth: you are not too old—the story you’re telling is. And the good news? You can rewrite it. Here's how...

Reframe Your Experience for Impact

At this stage of your career, your résumé can sound like a history book or like a playbook for the future. The difference is in how you frame your story.

Hiring leaders want to know three things:

• Can you solve problems that matter right now?

• Do you still have energy and curiosity for what’s next?

• Can you integrate, lead, and elevate a team that might look very different from you?

When your story leads with relevance and results, you take control of the narrative.

Your years aren’t a liability. They’re your differentiator, proof that can recognize patterns, have crafted the art of making judgments with ease, perspective, and the ability to adapt under pressure. You just have to tell the story in a way that sounds like momentum, not memory.

Instead of “I led a team of 10 through change,” say:

• “I’ve spent my career helping organizations stay grounded and high-performing in times of uncertainty.”

• “I bring deep expertise and an agile mindset, I’ve evolved through multiple market cycles and continue to grow with the work.”

These small shifts tell a bigger story: you are still in motion.

Craft a Leadership Story That Resonates

Age bias fades when you lead with energy, purpose, and presence. People hire stories, not timelines.

Every executive should have what I call a leadership headline, which is a clear statement that captures your value and focus.

• “I help [WHO] achieve [WHAT] by bringing [HOW].”

It’s simple, but powerful. Because it forces you to frame your expertise through the lens of impact, not history.

Example:

•  “I help scaling companies build teams that stick. Whether at Google or a startup, my superpower is creating clarity and trust that unlocks performance.”

This shows direction, not decades.

If your introduction still sounds like a walk through your résumé, it’s time to shift from what you’ve done to what you’re doing next.

Shift from Seeker to Strategic Operator

Here’s a mindset shift that changes everything: at your level, jobs aren’t secured through applying on the internet, they’re found, they’re created.

Most executive roles are filled through ecosystems of trust via conversations, referrals, and quiet introductions that happen long before a posting goes live.

That means the goal isn’t to apply harder. It’s to connect smarter. As a networking queen I can tell you this is the most critical investment you can make in your professional life. Dedicating yourself to getting into the groups, rooms and conversations where people are making decisions so that before jobs are even posted, you are top of mind!

Start building those quietly and intentionally:

• Reconnect with your executive alumni, even from years ago. Relationships age well when they were built on respect. I often tell the story of one of my amazing book backers who in invested in me and my vision 26 years after we worked together!

• Reach out to cross-functional champions who’ve seen your leadership in action. They remember how you made them feel and what you made possible.

• Try something new. Join or host small roundtables or virtual coffees where you can share insights, and connect people around a shared goal or effort. Positioning yourself as a through leaders dedicated to advancing yourself and others in the industry.

The moment your name starts coming up in rooms you’re not in, that’s when doors begin to open. You have arrived.

The best opportunities are often invisible to the public eye but visible to the right network. Think professional networking groups, PE and VC firms looking to place "adults at the table" for later series start-ups that are scaling fast and need sound, pattern recognizing, executives to operationalizing company goals.

Rethink What Visibility Looks Like

Visibility isn’t about becoming louder, it’s about becoming clearer. It’s not posting for reactions and exposure; it’s showing up with purpose. Share what you care about. Have opinions. Add your point of view on where your industry is heading. The goal is to be known for your thinking, so that hiring managers are inspired by your thoughts and take notice of you.

Your online presence should reflect the leader you are now and the direction you’re moving toward. Update your headshot, refresh your summary, and make sure your LinkedIn headline says: “I’m in the game. I’m ready for what’s next.”

If your profile still reads like your last role, rewrite it to sound like your next chapter. Your “About” section isn’t a bio, it’s a positioning statement. Be intentional in how you present yourself as a powerful, forward-focused asset with experience that’s relevant to what’s ahead.

And remember, you don’t need to tell your entire story, just the parts that connect where you’ve been to where you’re going. That’s the bridge that turns experience into opportunity.

Your Coaching Prompt

This week, ask yourself:

• What story am I telling about myself and does it sound like the past or the future?

• What’s one small way I can show up this week as a peer, not a job seeker?

• How can I make my experience louder than the bias?

• What industry problems anticipated in the future am I best positioned to solve?

Relevance isn’t about changing who you are. It’s about remembering the power you already have and choosing to present it with clarity and confidence.

You don’t need to defend your timeline. You need to own your relevance.

Midlife isn’t your career sunset. It’s your moment of full light, the one where clarity, courage, and experience finally meet. You're Just Getting Started!

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