10 Reasons Gen Xers Are Struggling to Get a Job (And Honestly, It Makes Sense)

Gen Xers should be in the prime of their earning years. They’re experienced,
capable, and highly motivated.

But instead of making bank, many find themselves edged out of the labor market:
underemployed, underpaid, or stuck in years-long job searches. The hiring
landscape has shifted so dramatically that even seasoned Gen Xers with polished
resumes are struggling, making it even harder to stop living paycheck to
paycheck and build real financial momentum.

Here are some of the biggest reasons why Gen Xers are struggling in the job
market today.

Age bias is still alive and well

Let’s be frank: our society is ageist, and employers are, too. They’re not
supposed to be, but we’re a culture that worships youth: coloring grays,
whitening teeth, and $200 miracle face creams. Even the 20-something crowd is
shelling out for “baby Botox.”

On the work front, many assume Gen X candidates are less adaptable, less
tech-savvy, or at the wind-down stage of their careers — even if none of that is
true.

These assumptions lead to fewer interviews, slower callbacks, and being passed
over for roles they’re fully qualified for. The bias may be unspoken, but it
compounds quickly in a tight job market.

Hiring managers assume Gen X is “too expensive”

Many employers worry that Gen X applicants expect higher salaries based on
decades of experience.

In reality, many Gen Xers would accept competitive or even reduced pay, but
they’re screened out before they can explain their salary expectations.

This perceived cost risk pushes companies toward cheaper, less experienced
talent, forcing Gen X job seekers into a smaller pool of opportunities from the
outset.

There aren’t enough senior roles to go around

Older millennials and even boomers are staying in the workforce longer, creating
a bottleneck at the top.

As more workers compete for the same, limited director-level or senior
management roles, Gen X candidates are getting squeezed out. Many are
overqualified for mid-level positions yet blocked from senior ones, leaving them
with few realistic options.

Long-term unemployment hits Gen X harder

When Gen Xers lose a job, they tend to stay unemployed longer than younger
workers. The combination of age bias, increased competition, and rapidly
changing skill requirements stretches job searches into months — often years.

This lag can damage confidence, widen skills gaps, and create a cycle that makes
re-entry even more difficult.

Rapid technology shifts made their expertise seem outdated

Gen X built careers on skills that were essential in the pre-digital workforce.
But as industries automated processes or prioritized digital-first operations,
many midcareer workers found their hard-earned expertise abruptly devalued.

Even Gen Xers who’ve kept up with — or even built — the latest tech may be
assumed unfamiliar with today’s tools, therefore less innovative and adaptable.

AI and automation are eliminating mid-career jobs

AI and automation aren’t just affecting entry-level roles — they’re reshaping
entire fields. Creative, administrative, and technical jobs that Gen X workers
once dominated are being heavily reduced.

This shift shrinks the number of roles where Gen X candidates are highly
competitive.

Gen X is often labeled as “overqualified”

Being told you’re overqualified may sound flattering, but it’s coded language
for “hard pass.”

Employers tend to assume Gen X applicants will get bored, expect rapid
promotions, or leave once a better offer appears. This makes hiring managers
hesitant to take a chance on experienced candidates, even when those candidates
would be reliable long-term employees.

Younger workers are increasingly promoted over them

Gen Xers frequently report being passed over for leadership roles in favor of
younger colleagues.

Whether driven by company culture, cost savings, or assumptions about career
longevity, these decisions limit advancement and reduce the number of openings
available to midcareer workers.

When promotions don’t open up, the entire career ladder becomes harder for Gen X
to climb.

Creative and media fields have collapsed beneath them

Workers in journalism, design, photography, print advertising, videography, and
entertainment — industries where many Gen Xers built careers — have seen massive
downsizing.

Jobs that once supported full-time careers now rely on outsourced labor, cheap
digital content, or AI-generated work. With fewer stable roles, even highly
talented professionals struggle to re-enter fields that no longer resemble the
ones they entered decades ago.

Midlife responsibilities make career pivots harder

Gen X faces more financial pressure than any other generation: mortgages,
college costs, elder care, rising expenses, and underfunded retirement savings.

Reinventing a career at age 50 is far more complicated than it is at 25. Most
need stable benefits, predictable income, and roles that support family
obligations while also competing in a job market that rewards youth and constant
upskilling.

Bottom line

Gen X isn’t struggling because they lack talent, work ethic, or modern work
skills. They’re struggling because the workforce morphed faster than their
career ladders did. Add in age bias, shrinking industries, and the rise of AI,
GenX has barriers that younger generations don’t face — challenges that can make
it harder to maintain stability and lower your financial
stress.

The tides, however, could be turning. Our workforce is aging fast, and employees
aged 55 and up will make up 25% of the global workforce by 2031.

Now is the time for employers to invest in a strong, multigenerational workforce
that values experience, collaboration, and “wisdom” skills — like judgment,
pattern recognition, and emotional intelligence. Those who do will be
best-positioned to weather the generational shift and reap the rewards it
brings.