This as-told-to essay is predicated on a dialog with Brad Jenkins, a job seeker in his early 60s who lives in Oregon. The next has been edited for size and readability.
I knew there was an opportunity I could possibly be laid off, however I used to be shocked when the information got here.
In 2021, I began working as a technician for Intel, primarily based in Hillsboro, Oregon. I used to be 59 on the time, and I keep in mind considering: “Why are you hiring some outdated fart like me?” Over the following few years, I survived a number of rounds of layoffs.
Then, in March 2025, Intel brought on a new CEO, and it appeared like there was extra of an emphasis on reducing management layers. I figured, “Nicely, I am not a supervisor, so I must be protected.” I believed I would retire there, however I used to be unsuitable.
On July 7, I realized that I would been laid off — and my final day of employment was July 31. Since then, I have been struggling to search out work, and retirement is not possible for me proper now.
I took a while off earlier than job searching
The layoff harm as a result of I labored actually exhausting for the corporate and actually preferred the job. I did not begin on the lookout for work straight away. I had some financial savings, a number of weeks of severance pay, and I knew I may collect unemployment benefits. This purchased me a while.
One of many first issues I did was take a monthlong street journey to Colorado, however I wasn’t there only for a trip. I took a multi-week class on electrical car charger upkeep by way of a free program organized by Goodwill.
My thought course of was: The category is free, I’ve by no means been to Colorado, I’ve an curiosity in electrical autos, and it would assist me discover a new job. I knew the Oregon state authorities had plans so as to add extra EV chargers throughout the state, so I believed it could possibly be a profitable space to get into.
After the category, I made a decision to increase my break from the working world, spending a few month in California for what I regarded as a post-layoff journey. I nonetheless had some financial savings and hadn’t began gathering unemployment advantages but. From what I understood, I wasn’t eligible for unemployment if I wasn’t within the state.
Round final November, I began gathering unemployment and actively looking for work on LinkedIn and Certainly, together with for semiconductor specialist roles. I attempted tapping into my Intel community for alternatives, however nothing got here of that. Whereas I’ve landed some interviews, I’ve struggled to land a proposal.
As my search has dragged on, I’ve additionally began exploring entrepreneurship alternatives within the electrical car house.
I am unsure if my age has labored towards me in my job search
When Intel employed me at age 59, they have been ramping up hiring, and it appeared like in case you have been competent, they’d contemplate hiring you.
As soon as I obtained to Intel, there have been individuals of their 70s nonetheless working there. So possibly age is much less of a problem in the semiconductor industry.
I feel the larger challenge is that there is much less demand for the kind of work I did at Intel. There are a lot of technicians who’re at the moment on the lookout for work, whether or not on account of cost-cutting or different components.
Retiring does not make sense for me but
I’ve thought of retirement, however the largest impediment for me is healthcare. I can not apply for Medicare till I am 65, which is a number of years away, and the Affordable Care Act is not as useful with the subsidies expiring. Having a job gives healthcare advantages, so it is fairly essential that I get again to work.
I may additionally use a bit extra financial savings in my retirement account, and my plan has been to gather full Social Security benefits, which might imply working till age 67.
In latest months, I’ve tried to chop again on my spending — particularly on fancy holidays. Even earlier than I used to be laid off, I would begun chopping again on non-essential spending as a result of I sensed the financial system could possibly be headed in a foul course. My unemployment advantages have helped me get by, however they do not final endlessly.
Learn extra about individuals who’ve discovered themselves at a company crossroads
Unemployment sucks, however do not hand over
I have been by way of every kind of financial upheavals and downturns in my roughly 40-year profession, together with a number of layoffs. Through the Nice Recession, I had a protracted unemployment stint till contract work helped me get again on my ft. It all the time sucks to be laid off.
My high recommendation for different job seekers is do not hand over. Faucet into your sources, faucet into your community, do not burn bridges together with your previous employer, and settle for that you simply may not get the identical pay you have been making earlier than. Yeah, it sucks. However there’s nonetheless work on the market.
