This is very true. If you get fired or laid off over 40 or 50, you might as well pack it in. My husband lost his job, couldn’t find another, and simply returned to his original love - theater. We started a theater company in NYC and had a very successful run of a Shaw play. We are lucky - we have savings but it was touch and go for a long while.
Employers don’t get it. The 40 and 50 somethings with kids and responsibilities are NOT going to be getting high in the alleys or calling in sick with hangovers Monday mornings. They are serious and hard working. They should have a little wisdom.
When I was searching after 20 years of not working, even with advanced degrees, I sent out 3000 cvs and got pretty much nothing. I would have worked for free or interned just to prove myself. Nothing.