UPDATE: A growing number of job seekers are pivoting away from management roles amid a significant slowdown in white-collar hiring. Karen Del’Olio, a 59-year-old former manager from Massachusetts, illustrates this urgent trend as she redefines her career goals after being furloughed in April.
Del’Olio, who was laid off from her position as a research program manager when funding was cut, has faced an uphill battle in her job search. Despite applying to dozens of positions since April, she has only received a handful of interviews, with many recruiters failing to follow up. “I just get ghosted,” she stated, highlighting the frustrations many face in today’s job market.
With her furlough ending in October, Del’Olio is not optimistic about being rehired due to ongoing funding cuts from the National Institutes of Health. As her financial reserves diminish, she is exploring roles outside management, believing that the downsides of leadership may outweigh the benefits. “I’m starting to get excited about not managing people,” she said.
This shift reflects a broader phenomenon known as the Great Flattening, where companies, including major players like Microsoft, Google, Intel, and Walmart, are cutting managerial positions in an effort to streamline operations. Recent data from Gusto indicates that manager layoffs have surged 66% among workers aged 45 to 54 and over 400% for those aged 35 to 44. This trend underscores the challenges faced by seasoned professionals like Del’Olio in finding new employment.
As the U.S. grapples with economic uncertainty and a decelerating job market, many job seekers are feeling the crunch. Businesses are hiring at one of the slowest paces in over a decade, leaving numerous applicants frustrated and uncertain about their futures. Del’Olio’s experience is just one of many as workers struggle to adapt to shifting demands.
Del’Olio represents a generation caught between the desire to continue working and the challenges of an evolving job landscape, particularly with the rise of AI. Many in their 50s and early 60s are finding themselves overlooked as companies favor younger, more cost-effective candidates. This situation is exacerbated by the need for continued employment to secure health insurance and retirement savings.
Amid these challenges, Del’Olio is torn between pursuing higher-paying managerial positions and exploring non-managerial roles that may offer greater job satisfaction. She has started applying for clinical research and program management roles in healthcare, believing they align with her past experience and interests.
However, the demands of management have prompted her to consider positions that allow for more creativity and less stress. “I’d rather connect people and build relationships and not manage their tasks,” she expressed, reflecting a desire for a more balanced work life.
To stay competitive, Del’Olio has adapted her job search strategies by customizing her resume for each application and leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT to enhance her visibility. She is also concerned that her age may be a hindrance, as AI hiring systems could estimate her age based on her work history. In response, she’s removed dates from her degrees and previous jobs to mitigate bias.
Looking ahead, Del’Olio plans to enhance her marketability by learning more about data management and AI technologies, aiming to keep pace with the changing job environment. “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em,” she stated, acknowledging the growing influence of AI in hiring.
If her job search does not yield results soon, Del’Olio may have to broaden her search to any available role that offers a paycheck. As she navigates this uncertain landscape, she remains determined to adapt and overcome the challenges of a rapidly evolving job market. “I think the entire world of work has changed,” she concluded.
As the job market continues to shift, the experiences of Del’Olio and others highlight the urgent need for adaptability in a landscape that is no longer predictable.
