Believe it. PhD in Chemical with a long history of righting sinking technical ships and making companies tons of $$$...have not had a call back in about a year. Nada, zero, zip, zilch. I am now looking at positions that are 1/3 of my peak salary. I have no intentions of retiring in my mid-50s, but I am starting to think that I have no real choice.
Be fit and if you have hair, color it. Ageism is real. And thank goodness I went the Internet route in the mid 90’s rather than the rocket scientist route.
There has been a very serious and very real Depression II going on since 2008. The happy-go-lucky the past few years are in for a rude awakening. Most of them won’t get any sympathy from me. I know first-hand how bad it is.
I also know how people never respond to resumes. Often, if they do, it’s a trick. With no treat.